Burns destroy skin, which controls the amount of heat our bodies retain or release, holds in fluids, and protects us from infection. While minor burns on fingers and hands are usually not dangerous, burns injuring even relatively small areas of skin can develop serious complications. There are three major types of burn related scars: Keloid, Hypertrophic and Contractures. Keloid scars are an overgrowth of scar tissue. The scar will grow beyond the site of the injury. These scars are generally red or pink and will become a dark tan over time. Hypertrophic scars are red, thick and raised, however they differ from Keloid scars in that they do not develop beyond the site of injury or incision. A contracture scar is a permanent tightening of skin that may affect the underlying muscles and tendons that limit mobility and possible damage or degeneration of the nerves. Learn more about the different scar types by clicking on the links below: Keloid Scars- Keloid scars are an overgrowth of scar tissue. The scar will grow beyond the site of the injury. These scars are generally red or pink and will become a dark tan over time. They occur when the body continues to produce collagen a tough fibrous protein, after the wound has healed. Keloid scars are thick, nodular, ridged and itchy during formation and growth. Keloid Scar Extensive keloids may become binding and limit your mobility. Additionally, clothing rubbing or other types of friction may irritate them. Dark-skinned people are more likely to develop Keloids than those with fair skin and the possible occurrence of Keloids reduces with age. Keloids may be reduced in size by cry therapy (freezing), external pressure, cortisone injections, steroid injections, radiation or surgical removal. If injections and external pressure such as pressure garments are inadequate, the scar tissue can be cut away, this is generally an outpatient surgery performed under local anesthesia and you should be able to return to work or school within a few days. Your doctor may recommend that you wear pressure garments over the area for up to a year to prevent the Keloids from re-occurring. It is possible that this procedure will need to be repeated every few years because Keloids have a tendency to re-occur. Contractures- A contracture scar is a permanent tightening of skin that may affect the underlying muscles and tendons that limit mobility and possible damage or degeneration of the nerves. Contractures develop when normal elastic connective tissues are replaced with inelastic fibrous tissue. This makes the tissues resistant to stretching and prevents normal movement of the affected area. Physical Therapy, pressure and exercise in many cases can aid in controlling contracture burn scars. If these treatments do not control the effects of contracture scars, surgery may be required. A skin graft or a flap procedure may be performed. Additionally your doctor may recommend a new technique such as Z-Plasty or tissue expansion. Hypertrophic Scars- Hypertrophic scars are red, thick and raised, however they differ from Keloid scars in that they do not develop beyond the site of injury or incision. Additionally, Hypertrophic scars will improve over time. This time however can be reduced with the help of steroid application or injections.
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