A burn can be described as an injury that has been sustained by the skin, because of fire, steam, electricity, heating objects, hot liquids, the harsh sun and any other substance that emits heat. The severity of the burn can range from mild to severe, based on the cause as well as the amount of skin that has been affected.
What is a steam burn?
A steam burn can be described as a burn that is sustained when a person's skin is exposed to the harsh steam that is given out from hot, boiling water. There are several people, around the world, who have suffered from a burn caused by steam. Like most other burns, steam burns also vary in intensity, as most people suffer from a minor steam burn while cooking. However, there are times when a burn caused by steam can be very severe and can lead to intense steam burn pain and even the formation of blisters. In fact in most cases, a steam burn blister is seen when the skin sustains a steam burn, which is quite different from the charring of skin that is seen in case of a fire burn. It is also possible for a person to suffer from third degree steam burns, where the skin becomes numb, white and heavily blistered too.
How to treat a steam burn?
A steam burn is not very different from a burn caused by a flame or the harsh sun. Both can be equally painful, even though the symptoms of some other burns appear more severe. Therefore, most people adopt immediate steam burn relief techniques, to avoid suffering from the discomfort for a long time. For most burns, even steam burns, it is best to visit a doctor and undergo a proper treatment procedure, which involves painkillers and other medication. However, several people begin steam burn treatment at home, before they can consult a doctor, for faster relief from the burning sensation. The first and most important step in treating a steam burn is to determine exactly how severe the burn is. If the burn appears to be a superficial one, then a person can think about treating it at home, because deeper burns should only be treated by a doctor.
If the burn is not a very severe one, then the next step in the steam burns treatment is to disinfect the area and keep the burn clean. While some people believe that water should not be used on a burn, health experts recommend that if the steam burn is mild, it should be rinsed with cool water. However, this technique should never be applied if the burn is more severe. After cleansing the skin, some of the discomfort can be reduced by the application of ice or cold towels directly on the affected area of the skin. However, it is important to remember that the skin should never be overcooled. This is because a steam burn usually damages the protective layer of the skin to a great extent and overcooling could cause the skin to become hypothermic.
Products like butter, cream, lotion and other household remedies should never be used while treating steam burns, as they could lead to an infection and inflammation. It is best to cover the steam burn with a piece of sterile gauze and dressing. There are several medicated over the counter ointments and gels that can be applied to relieve the discomfort. Aloe Vera gel has been known to heal burns at a faster pace. In fact, it is best to first apply an antibiotic lotion on the burn and then cover the area up, with the gauze. The skin should not be left open, where it could get infected by germs and bacteria.
People also use herbs and home remedies for steam burn, in spite of the fact that such remedies have not been approved by any health institution. Several people use an herb known as Spirulina, because it is believe to have an excellent effect on burns that are healing. For maximum results, this herb should be consumed internally. Some people also make a thick paste using sandalwood powder and olive oil. The paste is then applied to the steam burn for relief from the discomfort. Although this home remedy may heal the burn, it definitely helps to alleviate the pain and burning. Some people use toothpaste with fluoride or mashed banana mixed with rosewater, for treating steam burns on the finger, hands, arms, legs, feet and other parts of the body (apart from the face). However these home remedies could have varied results and should never be used without checking with a doctor first.
Steam burn blister
In case of most steam burns, the skin turns red and breaks out into blisters, which are known as steam burn blisters. These blisters can be highly painful and could take a while to heal. Moreover, if the blisters are not handled in the right manner, the patient can suffer from a severe infection. Since there is no specific steam burn blister treatment as such, most doctors recommend that the skin should be given the chance and the time to heal on its own. However, what the patient should do is, clean the injury and change the dressing a couple of times each day. Popping a steam burn blister should be strictly discouraged. Touching the blisters unnecessarily or fidgeting with them should also be strictly avoided, in order to speed up the healing process.
While it is acceptable to adopt a home treatment for steam burns on the body, or even the face, it is absolutely imperative to consult a doctor, incase of a steam burn in the eyes. In case the steam burn does not heal with the help of home remedies and treatments, it may be important to consider medical treatment options too. Some of the medical procedures for treating a steam burn include intravenous fluids to prevent dehydration, oral and topical antibiotics, protective dressing, skin grafting and surgery.
answered by G M