Pressure Garments for Burn Management
An unfortunate side effect common to burn wounds is permanent damage due to scarring. When a burn damages your skin, collagen will grow ten times faster than usual, potentially resulting in raised skin, redness, scarring, or worse. Already having done enough to your body, a burn injury permanently changing your appearance – or even leading to further damage (like burn contracture) – can also take a toll on your confidence and self-esteem.
But the story doesn’t have to end there.
In an attempt to counter skin damage and scarring from burn trauma, burn garments have improved the healing process and outcome for plenty of recovering burn victims, no matter the area or degree of the injury.
What is a Burn Garment?
Burn garments contain soft tissue that ensures pressure is consistently and evenly distributed on skin wounded by a burn injury. Also known as burn clothing or pressure garments, these bandages apply constant pressure on your skin, supporting optimal scar management as you heal, therefore improving your damaged skin’s overall look.
How do Pressure Garments Work for Burns?
Pressure garments can reduce scarring after a skin injury by supporting the maturation of scars throughout your healing process. This happens by putting pressure on your damaged skin, requiring a tight fit for full effect.
How Long do Burn Patients Wear Pressure Garments?
Typically, compression garments are required to be worn almost 24/7, minus the time you need for washing your body or applying lotion. Depending on your genetics and the depth of your burn, it may take up to 2 years before your scars fully mature, after which you’re recommended to remove the garment finally.
Which Material is Mainly Used in Pressure Garments for Burns?
Pressure garments are made up of elastic yet firm material that can apply pressure enough to realign and reduce the production of collagen fibers in your skin. If the fabric and pressure of the garment itself aren’t enough for a particular wound, then inserts (made of foam, felt, elastomer, etc.) or silicone gel sheets are applied to the wound in addition to the garment itself.
Burn Clothes
The designs of garments used for Pressure Garment Therapy (PGT) are diverse, providing precise pressure wherever your burn is located, allowing for flexibility and customization depending on the patient’s needs.
Different forms of burn clothing available include:
- Burn Bras
- Burn Suits
- Compression Gloves for Burns
- Compression Socks
- Full-Face Compression Garments
Types of Burn Garments
- Ace Wrap (elastic bandaging): provides pressure for burns located on your arms or legs
- Tubigrip (tubular bandages): provides light pressure
- Interim Care Garments: mass-produced bandaging for use until you receive your custom-fitted garment
- Custom Pressure Garments: made of nylon spandex and tailored to the patient’s measurements and injury
Compression Masks for Burns
Burn face masks use plastic to compress and tighten skin scars from aging. This is usually worn if the typical compression garment is unprofitable for the patient. Compression fabrics may have gaps that may lead to hypertrophic scarring, so plastic is used instead.
Find Burn Wound Care to Help Your Healing Process
At Pongratz, we’re proud to offer patient-centered solutions for recovering burn victims, giving you an advantage against the life-altering effects of traumatic injury. Reach out to us today if you or a loved one could use not only a professional but a friend to help them along their journey to recovery.
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