The cosmetic appearance of burn scars is one of a burn patient’s biggest fears, even though the burn may be causing severe pain, and the patient is at risk of infection or pruritis.
Burn treatments are often challenging, and the possibility of scars reoccurring after treatment can be high. Scars can be the cause of emotional and physical distress, so doctors will use compression garments to reduce the possibility of a scar or decrease the severity of scarring from burn injuries.
When are Compression Garments Used?
Compression garments will be used to apply pressure on keloid and hypertrophic scars. The garments are designed to apply pressure to the burn area to flatten and improve the appearance of the scar.
Keloid scars are an overgrowth of tissue which grows over an area where the burn occurred. They can also appear because of trauma, surgery, acne or blisters.
Hypertrophic scars are wide, thick scars that are often raised off the skin. Scars are a typical result of an injury, but hypertrophic scars are an abnormal response by the body to injury or trauma.
How are Compression Garments Prescribed?
Once the doctor has prescribed a compression garment, an occupational therapist will create a custom garment once the patient’s precise measurements have been recorded.
Pressure garments should always be worn during treatment. However, two garments will be issued so one can be worn while the other is cleaned.
Caring for Compression Garments
Loose or damaged compression garments can no longer do their job. You can extend the life of your compression garments by using the following routine for care and maintenance:
* Hand wash the garments using a mild detergent or soap.
* Lay wet compression garments on a dry towel and gently squeeze excess moisture out of them.
* Hang them to dry or lay them out flat.
* Minimize wear and tear on compression garments for your feet by wearing socks and shoes.
* If a garment is damaged or feels loose, contact your occupational therapist so they can create a new set.
Children who undergo a growth spurt while using compression garments may find they have become too tight. Tightness usually occurs if the child has been wearing the garment for three months or more.
Consult your therapist or compression representative and order a new garment of the right size.
When to Contact Your Doctor
Schedule an appointment with your doctor if you experience any of the following:
* You notice redness or swelling
* You show symptoms of a wound infection such as increased pain, increased swelling, bleeding, strange smelling discharge, or fever.
* You notice a tingling sensation.
Compression garments are an effective treatment against scarring, but the size and severity of the wounds will mean that every individual will respond differently.
Here’s Your Next Step…
If you need a compression garment for burn(s) contact us today by clicking here to find our location most convenient to you…or simply fill out the form on the top right of this page.
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