A review of my son's burn treatment at the Korean medicine clinic

 

At the end of September 2019, my precious son suffered second-degree burns from hot water in a tumbler, and I am sharing his treatment experience.

On the last day of the trip, I was about to boil water to make coffee at the accommodation and put it in a tumbler, but my son spilled it and suffered a scald burn on his right thigh.

At first, I performed first aid and then went to a famous burn specialty hospital in Seoul.

Then, a friend of mine mentioned that they received treatment at a traditional Korean medicine clinic for burns, so I took the children who were hospitalized and went to a specialized burn clinic to re-admit them.

 

The reason I transferred to the Korean medicine clinic is

When receiving burn treatment, the dressing was so painful and agonizing that I wanted to help make the treatment less painful, even if just a little.

Since Sim Jae-sung has a second-degree burn, I chose a traditional Korean medicine clinic that offers treatment without surgery, as they mentioned that skin graft surgery might be possible.

 

Cause of burns

1) Laceration burns: fire, hot water, steam, hot liquids

2) Chemical burns: chemicals

Strong acids with pH below 7: acetic acid, hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, etc.

Strong alkalinity with pH above 7: ammonia, etc.

3) Inhalation burn: hot air or smoke

4) Other possible burns caused by radiation or electricity.

 

Burn symptoms

Burns are classified into 1st to 4th degree based on the depth of the local injury.

1. 1st degree: The burned skin turns red, accompanied by localized heat and pain. Blisters do not form, and in most cases, it heals without significant complications or sequelae.

2nd degree: Damage extends to the dermis layer of the burned skin, resulting in blister formation, swelling, and severe pain. There is a risk of infection, and scars may remain even after the wound heals. Depending on the depth of the damage, it is classified into superficial second-degree burns and deep second-degree burns.

Superficial second-degree burn: Damage is limited to part of the dermis, and epithelial regeneration occurs, leading to recovery in about two weeks.

- Deep second-degree burn: Most of the dermis layer is damaged, and if there is no infection, recovery occurs after 2 to 4 weeks, leaving a scar.

3rd degree: The entire layer of burned skin is damaged, with the skin turning white or black, and nerve damage prevents pain sensation.

4th degree: Full-thickness burn involving the skin, muscles, nerves, and bone tissues.

 

 

Diagnosis/Tests

Visually inspect the damaged skin to determine its size and depth, and assess the severity of the injury.

 

Treatment

1. Laceration burn

- Move the patient to a safe place to prevent the burn from worsening.

Cool the affected area with cold water for about 15 to 30 minutes.

- If blisters occur or in the case of infants, they must visit the hospital for additional treatment.

2. Inhalation burn

- Move the patient to a safe place.

Loosen your clothing to allow fresh air to circulate.

If maintaining the airway is difficult, secure the airway, and if respiratory or cardiac arrest occurs, begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

- Transferring to the hospital.

3. Chemical burns

Immediately rinse with running water or saline solution to remove the chemical substance.

Chemical burns are considered third-degree or higher burns and are treated as emergencies.

4. Electrical burns

All electrical burns are considered third-degree burns regardless of the size of the wound, and burns caused by electricity often involve more severe internal injuries than what is visible on the surface.

- In case of an electric shock, do not forcibly remove the patient yourself; first, turn off the electrical switch to cut off the power supply.

- Move the patient to a safe place to prevent the burn from worsening.

[Encyclopedia Naver Knowledge] Burns (Seoul National University Hospital Medical Information, Seoul National University Hospital)

 

 

 

While providing first aid at Gangwon-do Sokcho Medical Center, I popped a blister. However, the oriental medicine clinic said that not bursting the blister would result in less scarring.

It's the third day, and the yellowish part is called a scab, which indicates that the skin has been completely damaged by a burn.

At the Korean medicine clinic, they apply ointment to the callus to gradually soften and remove it.

 

 

On the 10th day, the areas that did not suffer severe burns have turned red with new skin growing.

They say that bleeding is a good sign because it means the skin is healing.

The white-looking area is the part with second-degree chemical burns.

 

 

The wound has been healing for 21 days, and while receiving treatment, the wound area gradually decreased in size.

 

 

 

On the 44th day, the scab on the wound has fallen off a lot, and the skin has healed significantly.

I was hospitalized for about a month, then continued the rest of the treatment through outpatient care.

 

 

Photograph taken on May 20, 2023

The burn scar appears white, but still, this level of burn scar is probably manageable.

There is a slight scar remaining, but the boy did not undergo any dermatological procedures.

 

I want to tell those suffering from burns that after seeing my treatment case, they can also receive burn treatment at a Korean medicine clinic, so please be sure to seek treatment.