Burns in general result in a traumatic experience for most people. A burn scar is not only unpleasant to have, but it can also cause more serious problems. In most severe cases, the scar can even restrict movement. People that are affected by severe burns can lose tissue, muscle and even bone.

Individuals that have been affected by third degree burns may require skin grafts to replace the loss of tissue. Grafting also helps the healing process of the burn.

No matter what degree of burn you have, there are some first aid treatment tips that can help you in dealing with these situations.

Handling First and Second Degree Burns

Cool the Burn: Quickly right after suffering a burn you should hold the burned area under cool - not cold - running water for about 10 to 15 minutes or until the pain subsides. If the burned area makes this difficult, then immerse the burned area in water. If you prefer, you can also apply cold compresses to cool the area.

Keep Burned Area Protected: Wrap the affected area utilizing a sterile gauze bandage, but be careful not use a fluffy cotton ball or any other material that can produce lint. Keep the bandage loose enough so that it doesn't put too much pressure on the wound. By maintaining it protected you are helping reduce the pain and keeping air off of the burn.

Manage Pain Brought on when Burned: An over-the-counter pain killer may help lessen the pain caused by a burn. If the pain is just too severe, consult with your doctor about stronger medication.

For third degree burns, you should call for emergency medical support quickly. While you are awaiting assistance, ensure not to take away any burned clothing. And do not immerse your body in cold water or you may cause shock and hypothermia.

If required, you should begin CPR on the burn victim. Elevate the burned parts so that they are above heart level. Finally, make use of a cool, moist, clean and sterile bandage to protect the burn area.

After the burn is treated, it is time to deal with the burn scars. Minor burns usually lead to some discoloration but not scars. The discoloration usually subsides quickly.

If you have suffered a severe burn then chances are 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 may also include laser therapy, excision, and compression therapy. Excision is most often used to treat smaller scars while laser therapy is used on all types of scar tissue. Compression therapy is a good way to keep the scar tissue pliable.

All of these methods can be accompanied by the use of 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 on minor scars.