Question
A child around four or five years old accidentally burned their face while using a curling iron, resulting in peeling skin. The child has already applied moisturizing cream within three days of the burn. The parents are worried whether this wound will leave a permanent scar.
Answer
The formation of scars after a child’s facial burn is related to the depth of the wound. If the bottom of the wound appears moist and red, with more exudate and significant pain, it is a shallow second-degree burn. Under no infection, such wounds typically heal within two weeks and do not leave scars. However, if the bottom of the wound shows red and white intermingled, with less pronounced pain, it is a deep second-degree burn, which may take three to four weeks to heal and could leave scars. For the latter, anti-scarring treatment should be administered after healing to reduce scar formation.