Burns - Longer Healing Time?

 

Why do burns take longer too heal than cuts? I have had some big cuts but even the small burns normally take longer too heal than the big cuuts - why is this?

 

Just curious, not for anyhting but my own interest

 

Cheers,

 

Ryan Jones

This is pure speculation, but I would imagine its because a burn involves killing and damaging all the cells in a significant area, while a cut only destroys a thin slice. Healing the one involves rebuilding the whole area, while the other involves just reattaching two basically healthy parts. That's what I would guess, anyway.

This is pure speculation, but I would imagine its because a burn involves killing and damaging all the cells in a significant area, while a cut only destroys a thin slice. Healing the one involves rebuilding the whole area, while the other involves just reattaching two basically healthy parts. That's what I would guess, anyway.

 

That sounds right, cuts basically sperare teh two areas of skin, all they need to do is be bridged together while burns need to be practically re-made.

 

Thats a good point I never though of - thanks

 

Cheers,

 

Ryan Jones

i got a nice lump of scar tissue round my arm from a burn just now. Its starting to fade a bit but its still a lovely shade of red-purple just now.

Sisyphus was speculating, but is quite right. Cuts involve edges of healthy tissue. Burns involve areas of damaged tissue. The damaged tissue breaks down and new tissue has to granulate in from the outer edge of the damaged area. You can get problems when the damaged tissue remains which impedes granulation so surgical debridement (very painful) is needed to 'clear the way', or when the damaged area dries out, killing a further layer. In burns, you also have the problem of eschar, which won't allow new tissue to form and has to be cut away.

aha, so that`s why small small burns seem to "Shrink" over time before vanishing, rather than heal evenly all at once!

 

thnx

Sisyphus was speculating, but is quite right. Cuts involve edges of healthy tissue. Burns involve areas of damaged tissue. The damaged tissue breaks down and new tissue has to granulate in from the outer edge of the damaged area. You can get problems when the damaged tissue remains which impedes granulation so surgical debridement (very painful) is needed to 'clear the way', or when the damaged area dries out, killing a further layer. In burns, you also have the problem of eschar, which won't allow new tissue to form and has to be cut away.

 

Ah, I understand thanks - that makes perfect sence

 

Cheers,

 

Ryan Jones

aha, so that`s why small small burns seem to "Shrink" over time before vanishing, rather than heal evenly all at once!

Exactly.