Melbourne - Medianet International-AsiaNet/ - The most effective first-aid treatment for burns injuries remains the use of cold running water for 20 minutes, according to Professor Roy Kimble, Director of the Burns and Trauma Unit at the Royal Childrens Hospital in Brisbane.
Professor Kimble today told the Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons that recent studies had proven that while members of the public were increasingly using ice or Aloe Vera, they had no appreciable benefits and should not be used in place of cold running water.
"The key here is cold running water," Professor Kimble said.
"We don't know why the water running over the burn makes a difference but it does. It lessens the depth of the burn which speeds healing which in turn limits scarring."
"Our studies have shown that some of the alternative first-aid treatments now on the market such as Aloe Vera or tee-tree products have no benefits whatsoever and ice can actually do harm."
"We will investigate over the next few years why running water is so important, what the optimal duration is and the delay after the burn where such first-aid treatment is still worthwhile."
"We believe such research will form the basis of first-aid burns treatment guidelines for the rest of the world."
Professor Kimble also used the ASC to call on the Federal Government to fund the use of microskin camouflage, a computer colour-matched spay-on skin camouflage used by burns patients to disguise scarring. The product is applied to the scarred skin and remains on the skin for days.
Professor Kimble said the microskin was of particular benefit to younger patients who felt self-conscious because of the scarring.
"Some people adjust to burns scars but others suffer great psychological distress because of the scarring so we believe this product should be funded to allow it to be available to those who need it."
CONTACT:
Fiona Gillies, RACS Media & PR Manager on +61 407 339 556 or +852 2132 4886
Ruth Charters, RACS Media & PR Officer on +852 9767 1350 or +852 2132 4885
SOURCE: Royal Australasian College of Surgeons
Professor Kimble today told the Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons that recent studies had proven that while members of the public were increasingly using ice or Aloe Vera, they had no appreciable benefits and should not be used in place of cold running water.
"The key here is cold running water," Professor Kimble said.
"We don't know why the water running over the burn makes a difference but it does. It lessens the depth of the burn which speeds healing which in turn limits scarring."
"Our studies have shown that some of the alternative first-aid treatments now on the market such as Aloe Vera or tee-tree products have no benefits whatsoever and ice can actually do harm."
"We will investigate over the next few years why running water is so important, what the optimal duration is and the delay after the burn where such first-aid treatment is still worthwhile."
"We believe such research will form the basis of first-aid burns treatment guidelines for the rest of the world."
Professor Kimble also used the ASC to call on the Federal Government to fund the use of microskin camouflage, a computer colour-matched spay-on skin camouflage used by burns patients to disguise scarring. The product is applied to the scarred skin and remains on the skin for days.
Professor Kimble said the microskin was of particular benefit to younger patients who felt self-conscious because of the scarring.
"Some people adjust to burns scars but others suffer great psychological distress because of the scarring so we believe this product should be funded to allow it to be available to those who need it."
CONTACT:
Fiona Gillies, RACS Media & PR Manager on +61 407 339 556 or +852 2132 4886
Ruth Charters, RACS Media & PR Officer on +852 9767 1350 or +852 2132 4885
SOURCE: Royal Australasian College of Surgeons
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