Medical Cures: Burn Treatments

Electrical Stimulation Transcutaneous "electrical nerve stimulation" (TENS) is a method of applying controlled, low-voltage electrical stimulation to the skin for the purpose of relieving pain. Recent studies have suggested that TENS applied to acupuncture points (called electroacupuncture) on the ear (auricular acupuncture) may provide pain relief for people with burns. In one study, 11 burn patients received two forms of treatment prior to wound care: auricular TENS and a placebo pill. Seven patients reported at least a 70% reduction in pain during the TENS acupuncture treatments and only two patients reported that degree of relief when receiving the placebo pill. This preliminary study suggests that further investigation into the use of auricular electroacupuncture for the relief of pain in burn patients is warranted.

People with burns suffer pain, itching, and anxiety both from the burn itself and during the healing of the wound. Some studies suggest that massage may help ease these symptoms in both the emergency-care and recovery phases. In one study, 28 burn patients were randomly assigned to receive massage therapy or standard treatment while in the hospital. Patients in the massage therapy group received a 20-minute general body massage prior to wound cleaning once a day for 1 week. Reported effects included:

• Decreased anxiety
• Decreased pulse rate (a potential sign of improved relaxation and/or diminished pain)
• Decreased levels of cortisol (a hormone that indicates stress in the body)
• Decreased pain
• Improved mood, including diminished depression and anger

In another small study, 20 burn victims were randomly assigned to receive massage and standard therapy or standard therapy only during the recovery phase of their injury (between 80 to 165 days after the injury). The massage group received a 30-minute massage twice a week for 5 weeks in addition to standard therapy (consisting of physical and occupational therapy, regular check ups by the physician, medication for symptoms of pain and itching, and application of cocoa butter to the closed wound). People who received massages reported significantly less itching, pain, anxiety, and depressed mood compared to those who received standard care only.

Occupational and physical therapy begin very early for patients who are hospitalized for burns. The techniques used by occupational and physical therapists improve movement and function and reduce scar formation.

Rehabilitation with the guidance of occupational and physical therapists may include the practices listed below:

• Body and limb positioning
• Splinting Assistance with activities of daily living until normal function and ability are recovered
• Passive (physical therapist moves the patient's limbs) and active exercises
• Assistance with walking

Homeopathy -- Although very few studies have examined the effectiveness of specific homeopathic therapies in the treatment of burns, professional homeopaths may consider the following measures to treat first and second degree burns and to aid recovery from any burn. Before prescribing a remedy, homeopaths take into account a person's constitutional type. A constitutional type is defined as a person's physical, emotional, and psychological makeup. An experienced homeopath assesses all of these factors when determining the most appropriate treatment for each individual.

• Immersing the burned area in cold water until the pain subsides (this generally takes at least a few minutes)
• Arnica Montana -- taken orally immediately following a burn
• Calendula -- applied to the skin for first-degree burns and sunburns; this remedy is sometimes considered the treatment of choice for children; calendula may also be used in the healing stages of second- and third-degree burns to stimulate regrowth of skin and to diminish scar formation
• Cantharis -- for persistent pain, restlessness, and anxiety especially as a result of severe burns; oral and/or topical forms may be recommended; requires a homeopathic doctor's prescription; may be used in children
• Hypericum perforatum -- used topically if there are sharp, shooting pains with the burn
• Urtica urens -- taken orally for stinging pains, itching, and swelling of first-degree burns; a cream or gel may also be applied to the skin for first-degree burns and sunburns; this remedy may be used for children
• Causticum -- taken orally for burning pains with great rawness (as from an open wound) or when there are long-term physical or emotional symptoms after a burn; may be used in children under the direction of a licensed homeopath, often in the case of more severe burns
• Phosphorus -- taken orally for electrical burns, especially if the individual is easily startled and excitable

Several studies suggest that hypnosis may reduce pain and anxiety and enhance relaxation in burn patients. In one study, 30 hospitalized burn patients received either standard wound care (including pain medications) or standard wound care plus hypnosis with a technique called rapid induction analgesia (RIA).

RIA sessions were administered prior to wound care over four burn care sessions during a 48-hour period. Patients who received RIA treatment had less anxiety and pain as well as reduced consumption of pain medication over the course of the burn care sessions. Relaxation ratings also increased in the RIA group during this time.

These findings suggest that RIA may be a helpful addition to standard wound care in burn patients; further research of hypnosis is certainly warranted.

Therapeutic touch (TT) is based on the theory that the body, mind, and emotions form a complex energy field. Therapists seek to correct the body's imbalances by moving their hands just over the body in a practice they call "the laying on of hands." This practice has been used for a variety of ailments including the relief of pain and anxiety, but studies have shown conflicting results. A recent trial of patients hospitalized for severe burns suggests that TT may reduce pain and anxiety associated with burns.

Ninety-nine patients received either TT treatments or sham TT treatments (therapists moved their hands over the body but did not attempt to alter the energy field) once a day for 5 days. Patients who received TT treatments reported a significant reduction in pain and anxiety compared with the sham group, but there was no difference between groups in amount of medication used, stress relief, or satisfaction with therapy. Prognosis and Complications -- Infection is the most common complication of burns and is the major cause of death in burn victims. More than 10,000 Americans die every year from infections caused by burns. Compromised immune system, Functional or cosmetic damage (reconstructive surgery may be necessary), Increased risk of developing cancer at the burn site, Carbon monoxide poisoning (in the case of a fire), Heart attack which may be severe enough to cause the heart to stop (called cardiopulmonary arrest), First-degree burns generally heal on their own in 10 to 20 days if no infection develops. In rare cases, first-degree burns spread more deeply to become second degree (this spread is caused by infection). Third-degree burns often require a skin graft. LEARN MORE ABOUT BURNS

GREAT SKIN CARE MEDICINE