What can I use on a bad burn to reduce scarring?

[Peelay]

My babysitter was carrying my six month old and trying to put away the ironing board and iron at the same time yesterday. Very stupid, and she feels terrible of course because as a result, DS has a burn the size of a finger nail on his leg. She ran water over his leg for a few minutes, probably not long enough. It blistered but the blister burst. When I arrived home 15 minutes after it happened, I covered it in Burnshield (jelly pad) and a bandage.

The local surgery's nurse had a look at it and told me to keep it open to the air and clean. She also suggested it would scar. I'm furious that this hapoened in the first place, but the idea that it will leave a permanent scar just breaks my heart. The nurse suggested squeezing vitamin e capsules on to the wound to reduce scarring. I've been to Dr Google and have read mixed reports on this. Has anyone used this successfully? Can anyone recommend any other product? Or should I just be leaving it alone? Having done some research I am now not sure whether I am supposed to keep the wound/ skin soft or let it dry out. Any advice anyone?

[mollschambers]

Oh dear. Can't answer your questions but be sure to avoid exposure to sunlight until it's completely healed.

[nenevomito]

This really depends on how deep the burn is. The advice from the practice nurse is good if you are an adult, but not right for a baby as their skin is not as hardy / thick as a child over two.

First off all you did right with the jelly pad and the bandage. Don't keep it open to the air as that is how infections can get in.

I would certainly go and see your GP and ask for some Flamazine. This is specific burns cream that contains silver and is very good at healing burns. Use that with some gauze to put over the burn until it heals.

Once it has healed and the skin is not broken any longer, you should then use Diprobase or another emollient cream and massage it firmly into the area a couple of times a day. This will stop the skin contracting and forming a more puckered scar.

The chances are is that yes, there will be a scar there forever, but with good care now and keeping it moisturised and massaged it will not been too bad.

[nenevomito]

p.s. Good care now could also stop it scarring. I say Could as no guarantees.

[homeaway]

i second the flamazine cream but not sure you can use it on youngsters. You can buy special gauze to put on burns that is covered in a vaseline type substance so it does not stick and then you cover with a bandage.

[homeaway]

should have also said that you need to check that you can use the gauze on youngsters.

[KnitterInTheNW]

I don't know if they're any good for babies, but when I burned myself with the iron I used some plasters that are for burns, I think they might have had silver in the gauzey bit. It healed quickly and I didn't scar as badly as I normally do.

[snigger]

Bio-oil?

[nenevomito]

You can use Flamazine on babies - I used it on mine. Ditto the gauze. Only dry dressings are no good for babies.

[twankie]

lavender oil? I used it to help healing after a CS and it worked really well..I don't know why? Seems to stop infection too.

[Peelay]

Thanks everyone. I will get on to my gp about Flamazine. Does anyone have a brand name for the gauze? I'm not in the uk so chances are high that even Flamazine won't be available. So far having left it open to the air it has dried out and has become tight so I will also try an emollient. It is difficult to say how deep it it is, but deep enough to have left a pitted scab. I wish I had left the jelly and bandage on a while longer now.

[homeaway]

If you are in the Benelux countries then Flamezine should be available from the chemist and the same for the gauze you have to say that it is for a burn though. I dont have the brand name as I just gave my last pack to dd who is at uni but they are good to have in the medical box just in case. I think Hansard make them . I hope your baby is ok.

[ohmeohmy]

This is supposed to be very good. Designed by plastic surgeons. www.victoriahealth.com/product/Heal-Gel/6171/0/?utm_source=gpl&utm_medium=google&utm_campaign=feed_20119

[bogie]

Pure aloe vera gel made by forever living is amazing my mum had some and when I really badly burnt my hand i used nearly a full tube on it and I have no scaring at all.

[Peelay]

Thanks for more tips. I have found pure Aloe Vera Gel, Bogie, and I'll give it a go. Sadly no Flamezine here (we are in Asia) but I saw the doctor today who gave me antibiotic cream and a pad to cut into strips and use overnight when the wound is healed to help reduce the scar too. His advice echoed mollschambers and babyheave (thank you both). Gotta say DS is still a completely happy bunny and seems oblivious to the burn. Just mummy doing the panicking as usual then!

[chrchrch]

Rosehip seed oil, preferably organic. Possibly with 1% helichrysum and frankincense. They all help with regeneration and wound healing. Lavender is also good.