Preventing Scars From Hot Water: Top 5 Tips

By Samridhi Rohatgi|2 - 3 mins read| October 07, 2024

Hot water burns, also known as scalds, are one of the most common household injuries, especially in kids. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 180,000 deaths occur globally each year from burns. Of these, the primary reason is scald injuries. Such scalds, if left untreated, can lead to painful scars that last a lifetime.

If your child or any family member has recently suffered burns from hot water, proper care and management will ensure quick healing and minimize the risks of scarring.

Read this article to learn about some of the most helpful tips to prevent scars from hot water.

Top 5 Tips To Prevent Hot Water Scars

Here are a few essential tips to prevent the risk of scarring if one has recently been burned by hot water.

Cool the Burn Immediately

The most important step to prevent scarring from a burnĀ  is to cool the affected area as quickly as possible. Immediate cooling significantly helps reduce the severity of tissue damage and eases pain. Simply place the affected area under cool running water for at least 10 to 20 minutes. However, avoid ice or very cold water, as this can further damage the skin. Alternatively, you can also use a cloth soaked in cold water if running water is not available.

Use moisturizing gels.

Keeping the skin hydrated is another important aspect when it comes to preventing scarring from hot water. Burns dry out the skin, leading to cracking, which worsens scarring. Therefore, you can use aloe vera gel, as it has soothing, anti-inflammatory properties that help with healing and reduce the risk of scarring. Slicone gel sheets or hydrating moisturizers as recommended by the dermatologist can also be used to help soothe the irritated skin.

Cover and keep the burn clean.

Infection is one of the primary causes of worsened scarring, and a hot water burn that gets infected is associated with higher chances to leave a lifetime scar. So, after gently pat drying the affected area after rinsing, follow up with an antibiotic ointment to prevent infection. Cover the area with a sterile, non-stick dressing to protect it from dirt and bacteria, and ensure to change the dressing regularly.

Avoid Exposure To Sun

Burned skin is incredibly sensitive to the sun, and UV exposure can darken the burn area, leading to hyperpigmentation and more visible scars. Here we recommend to keep the burned area covered as often as possible and apply broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 with frequent reapplications every 2 hours.

Massage the burned area

Once you notice the burned area has started to heal, gentle massage can help minimize scarring by breaking down any fibrous tissue forming under the skin. This method also helps in proper collagen production, which is essential for healthy skin regeneration. For massaging, use a gentle and cicular motion technique with your fingertips. Make sure you apply some pressure but not to the pain point.

Takeaway

Preventing scars after a hot water burn can be achieved effectively by proper care, including rapid cooling of the burn, hydrating and moisturizing the skin, avoiding exposure to the sun, and more. This way, you can effectively reduce the risk of long-term scarring. If the burn is deep, we recommend seeking immediate medical attention.

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Written by Samridhi Rohatgi

Last Updated: Mon Oct 07 2024

This disclaimer informs readers that the views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the above blog/article text are the personal views of the author, and not necessarily reflect the views of The ParentZ. Any omission or errors are the author's and we do not assume any liability or responsibility for them.

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