thread: Burns and scarring

  1. #1
    Registered User

    Nov 2009
    Scottish expat living in Geelong
    5,572

    Burns and scarring

    My DS2 (aged 5) has burnt his leg pretty badly. It's only small, but I would say it's a 2nd degree burn as he has lifted the top layer of skin off. At the time it was very sore.

    I had a similar burn on my arm a few months ago, and still had the cream and dressings, so I have cleaned and dressed his burn. This happened last night and he says it doesn't hurt now, so I can only assume it is not infected. Obviously I will keep an eye on it for signs of infection.

    So, onto my question. The similar burn I had on my arm (which did get infected) has left a horrible scar, which I am very conscious of. I know children scar less than adults, but I was wondering if I should expect him to get a scar and if there is any way I can minimise it? It's on the lower part of his leg and will be seen when he is in school uniform, etc. Or am I worrying about nothing? Do boys even care about scars?

  2. #2
    BellyBelly Member
    Add Party-of-five on Facebook

    Sep 2008
    bunbury WA
    2,114

    boys think scars are cool
    bio oil is ment to help for scars(your scar)
    I think if it doesnt get infected and he doesnt pick it hopefully it will heal nicely

  3. #3
    Registered User
    Add UntoldAngel on Facebook

    Nov 2009
    Between concrete walls
    1,885

    Chicks dig scars!!

    I burnt my leg really badly when I was 11 or 12 and it didn't leave any scarring. My burn was the size of a motorbike exhaust (yep I backed onto it whilst walking backwards) so was the width of my leg.

    Fingers crossed though your little man doesn't scar too much if at all

  4. #4
    Registered User

    Nov 2009
    Scottish expat living in Geelong
    5,572

    Maybe the infection I got is the reason I have scarred then. Will try the bio oil for me, I hate my scar. It shows up so dark in photos, and being where it is, it's hard to hide.

    He seems happy to have his bandage on maybe your right, if he gets a scar he will probably be delighted! Hopefully not delighted enough to touch his bare leg to a hot exhaust pipe again though.

  5. #5
    Registered User

    Jun 2010
    Tiny Town
    4,675

    Your poor son I'm glad it's not hurting anymore.

    I know when I was a kid scars were cool - I only had one and was disappointed I couldn't show it off! It was on my stomach from helping mum iron so not visible. It didn't last too long though, a couple of years maybe?

    I think children's skin tends to be a lot more resilient than ours. I burnt my elbow two years ago on a motorbike exhaust, which lifted skin, and the scar today looks like a brown patch of skin with some pink in the middle. It's not that noticeable, so I'd say if mine can start getting better your son's should too. I hope so anyway!

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  6. #6
    Registered User

    Nov 2009
    Scottish expat living in Geelong
    5,572

    looks like motorbike exhausts are a popular source of burns

  7. #7
    Registered User

    Jun 2010
    Tiny Town
    4,675

    Lol I was too busy typing to notice the other posts had gone up, couldn't believe how many burns came from bike exhaust!

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  8. #8
    Registered User

    May 2009
    SEQLD
    2,308

    When DD was little (18months) she tripped and face planted into a plate DS had left on the ground, she cut her cheek and it was more of a graze but she's almost 5 and I can still see it.

    But looking at her you wouldn't know it was there, you can only see it if you know to look for it, if that makes sense? It's definitely faded over the years.

    My SIL had major surgery on her elbow which left a HUGE scar on her arm and she swears by bio oil but I've never used it. I think vitamin E is also meant to be good for scars.

  9. #9
    Registered User

    Nov 2004
    Chasing Daylight...
    2,034

    My boy loves his scars He's spun many a tale of shark bite etc in his time.

    When I was 4 I pulled the vertical grill off the bench onto my leg. My leg was burnt severely and I spent some time in hospital. Mum said she put aloe on it every day (when she was allowed to). Today I can still see it, but those who don't know about the accident wouldn't ever know it was there - and it was a biggie - covers the entire back of my calf.

  10. #10
    Registered User
    Add ~clover~ on Facebook

    Sep 2007
    travelling
    9,557

    I got a burn, very similar in a similar spot, at about 10. You can hardly see it now. (I just looked & can't even remember which leg its on, lol)
    My brother pulled a hot frying pan on top of himself at 3 & the massive scar that was spread across his chest then, is a little circle on one side now... the only spot the hair doesn't grow
    I wouldn't stress, boys LOVE bragging about their scars/injuries!

  11. #11
    Registered User

    Jun 2010
    Tiny Town
    4,675

    Oh, MistyFying's story about the aloe made me remember one. When I was 13, I got what looked like a big pimple on my cheek. I never got pimples, so I picked it. Turns out it wasn't a pimple, god knows what it was! But it spread like wildfire.

    Within a week my entire face was covered in huge red angry sores. I wouldn't leave the house and was so scared of scarring. Antibiotics did nothing, but one of mum's friends brought around an aloe vera off cut. I rubbed it on my face twice a day - it was sticky and gross, but in 2 days they started going away, 5 days later they were tiny marks, and in the end they never actually scarred. Could work once he doesn't need the dressing any more!

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