Skin burns are a traumatic experience that can easily lead to more serious problems. Burns normally lead to the formation of constrictive scars, while severe burns cause the loss of tissue, muscle, and bone.

If the burn you've suffered has lead to a partial or full thickness burn, then you may require grafting to replace the loss of skin tissue and accelerate the healing process. Since healthy skin has to be harvested, the donor sites will also require special treatment. However, in most cases the doctor will see a need to resort to skin banks instead.

Skin Burn Treatment

First aid treatment for burns includes the following steps.

Step 1 - Cool the Burn

When you suffer a burn, hold the affected area under cool running water for 10 to 15 minutes or until the pain subsides. If the burned area is in a tricky spot, making it difficult to place under running water, immerse the burned area in water. If you prefer, you can also apply cold compresses to cool the area.

Step 2 - Protect the Burned Area

Wrap the affected area with a sterile gauze bandage; do not use fluffy cotton or any material that produces lint. Keep the bandage loose enough so that it doesn't put too much pressure on the wound. By maintaining the affected area protected, you are helping reduce the pain and keeping air off of the burn.

Step 3- Control the Pain

An over-the-counter pain killer will help minimize the pain caused by a burn. If the pain is too severe, consult with your doctor about stronger medication.

If you have third degree burns, then you should call for emergency medical assistance immediately. While you wait for help to arrive, make sure not to remove any burned clothing. Also avoid immersing your body in cold water because this may cause shock and hypothermia.

If necessary, you should begin CPR on the burn victim. Elevate the burned parts so that they are above heart level. Finally, use a cool, moist, sterile bandage to cover the burn area.

Once the burn is treated properly, it is time to start dealing with the burn scars. Minor burns will usually lead to some level of discoloration but not scars. The discoloration usually subsides quickly.

If you have suffered a severe burn then it is likely you will develop scar tissue. Burn scar removal can be achieved by using different treatments, however, if you're dealing with constrictive tissue you may have to undergo surgery or skin grafts in order to release the skin.

Other scar removal options include laser therapy, excision and compression therapy. Excision is only possible on smaller scars while laser therapy will work on all kinds of scars. Compression therapy is an effective way of maintaining the scar tissue pliable.

All of these methods can and should be accompanied by the use of effective scar creams. When choosing the right scar cream you should make sure that it contains special ingredients that can help dissolve damaged tissue and boost the production of collagen. Scar creams can also be used by themselves to treat minor scars.