What is a hand burn?
Have you recently burnt your hand while cooking or on the job? Our hands are at greater risk for burns because they are often handling a variety of objects. Hand burns occur when cells in the skin are injured due to contact with heat, electricity, chemicals or radiation. When a hand is burned, the skin can become very tight, making it hard for a person to use his or her hand normally.
The great news is that hand therapy at Cascade Hand & Orthopedic Rehab in Fort Myers, FL can help you if you’ve sustained a painful hand burn. Call us today to learn more about therapy and how it can aid in recovery.
What causes a hand burn?
There are four types of hand burns:
- Chemical burns are caused by contact with household or industrial chemicals.
- Radiation burns are caused by the sun, tanning booths, sunlamps or radiation therapy for cancer treatment.
- Thermal burns are from contact with something very hot like fire, hot water or grease.
- Electrical burns are from contact with electricity. An example of an electrical burn is when a child sticks a finger in a light socket.
Your therapist can easily identify the kind of burn you have sustained if you’re not sure how you got it.
What are the symptoms of a hand burn?
Nine times out of ten, you will know when you’ve burnt your hand! Hand burns can cause redness, swelling, infection, loss of skin and loss of skin color.
If not treated early, hand burns can lead to finger, thumb and wrist tightness. Our skin has layers; the greater the degree of burn means more parts of the skin are injured and the burn is worse. Burns are classified from the least amount of damage (first-degree) to the most amount of damage (third- and fourth-degree). When the burn affects the deeper layers of the skin, it can become tighter and take longer to heal.
How are hand burns treated?
The severity of a hand burn determines how it is treated. Treatment for first-degree burns is basic. Wound care, probable skin grafts by a hand surgeon, and early hand therapy are all required for second, third, and fourth-degree burns to avoid joint and skin stiffness (scarring). Hand burn treatment has progressed as modern wound care bandages aid in the healing process.
How will hand therapy benefit me?
Following serious burns, a patient should be directed to a hand therapist in Fort Myers, FL as soon as possible. The therapist may build an orthosis to help position the hand and will assist with wound cleaning and bandaging. The therapist will assist in keeping the scars from growing too tight as the burn heals.
Compression garments are often recommended to help control the scarring. Therapy will also include teaching the patient exercises to improve motion in the fingers and strength of the hand.
Your Next Steps…
Request An Appointment
Receive A Custom Treatment Plan
Work Hard and Progress In Your Recovery
Recover & Enjoy Life Pain-Free!