Our skin controls the amount of heat exchange between us and our environment, it manages the amount of fluid loss and protects us from infection. For this reason, a burn is not a minor occurrence because it destroys our skin. Therefore, learning to avoid burns is an important part of keep your skin healthy.

Avoid Hot Water Burns

Hot water burns are caused by hot liquids or gases. The injury is usually local and is rarely life threatening. Nevertheless, you can help prevent burns by:

*Turn down the water heater to 120 °.

*Test bath water before putting a child in it. If the water is hot to you, it could burn the child.

*Put the child in the bath with their back to the faucet so they can't turn the water on.

If you have a severe burn or if the burn occurs around face, hands, genitalia or feet or if a child or person over 65 is burned:

*Call 911 at once

*Keep the burned area under cool, running water until help arrives

*Do not remove clothing or skin from the injured area

*Keep burned limbs in an elevated position

Avoiding Frostbite

Frostbite results from long term exposure to cold objects such as snow or ice. Wet clothes, high winds and poor circulation can also contribute to cold burns. Tight clothing and conditions like cramped positions, some medications, alcohol or smoking are other contributing factors.

To help avoid frostbite, wear appropriate clothing in the winter. Winter apparel like mittens, layered clothing that is wind-proof and water resistant gives good protection. If you or someone you know have developed frostbite you should:

*Seek shelter in a warm place

*Bandage the affected areas with sterile gauze taking care to keep fingers and toes separate.

*Remove constricting or wet clothes

*Keep the victim hydrated with warm liquids

Only once the person has been taken to a permanent, safe location, can you begin the re warming process. This can be done by immersing the affected parts in warm, circulating water or by applying warm clothing to the injured areas for 20-30 minutes. Do not attempt this process if you have not reache a permanent, safe location because there is the danger of serious damage due to the potential re-freezing of thawed extremities.

The Treatment of Burn Scars

Severe burns will leave scars. Surgery and specialized creams are two ways in which burn scars can be treated.

Since scars become less supple they do not allow for a normal range of motion. Lotions can help moisturized the scar tissue and help with the dissolution of old scars. In some cases, however, scar removal through surgical procedures is necessary.