The scarring process is a normal reaction for the skin as it heals from an injury like a cut, burn, acne eruption or surgical wound. However, some patients desire that their scar become less visible and plan on pursuing treatment options to reduce the appearance of their scar. To get some tips on how to minimize scarring contact Hand In Hand OT, occupational therapy near Carle Place.
Home management of scars after injury can be successful when patient and caregiver knowledge is combined with appropriate care techniques. Efficacy is likely only if the person performing the home management is committed to following a routine for at least several months, but it is best to plan on a year to see noticeable improvement in most cases. Patients who are committed to this will spend time (10-15 minutes twice a day) caring for their scars, which can make more of an impact than patients who only apply scar products sporadically.
Home management of scars includes keeping the wound moist, selecting products based on your skin type, learning correct application technique, and avoiding products that may hinder improvement.
Selecting the correct wound care techniques after occupational therapy near Carle Place is extremely important for successful scar management at home. For example, aggressive treatment of a fresh surgical wound can cause increased inflammation and lead to excessive drying and irritation of the skin, which can delay or interfere with healing. Therefore, it is recommended that wounds in the early inflammatory stage should be left open or loosely covered, and that moist treatment with compresses is most appropriate. This means that the injured person should wash their hands before touching their wound, but they can then adjust any dressings so they create a moist environment. Do not remove sutures, staples, skin adhesive, or external fixation devices (if present) since they may be necessary for proper wound care and healing. Applying moisturizer to the scar area is generally appropriate even in the inflammatory stage of wound healing; however, patients should avoid products containing alcohol or fragrance on new scars and wounds until they have healed completely.
As a scar matures, it becomes drier and starts to contract. The key to successful home scar management is moistening the skin around a mature scar while avoiding direct moisture on the scar itself. In order to do this, patients may need to apply moisturizer or other emollients (without fragrances) over the area of their scar, and then place a loose covering over the moisturizer to help lock in moisture. Some people prefer using commercial cotton scar sheets or bandages that provide a breathable barrier to reduce itching and irritation. This can be effective as long as patients avoid using products that contain fragrances since these may burn when placed on new scars.
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If you are looking for scar management, reach out to Hand In Hand OT today!