Prevention of Scar Tissues and Hypopigmentation in Fresh Burn Injuries

Abstract

Background: Scar tissues and hypopigmentation are manifestations of big injuries to skin caused by burns and mechanical accidents. Most of the burn injuries in India are caused in kitchens involving toddlers, women, and elderly. Largely people recover from small area burns depending on the cause and degree of injury without serious health consequences. Big widespread burns require immediate emergency medical care to prevent complications, permanent disability and mortality. At times cosmetic surgery is required to resolve hypopigmentation and disability caused by scar tissues. Methods & Materials: Oleoresin from Shorea robusta tree was used for treating infected wounds and burns in tribal India. Three cases of varying degree of direct fire burns are taken up for study where, based on traditional wisdom, a preparation of oleoresin and coconut oil is used as therapeutic from initial to total recovery. Many more burn victims were treated successfully at different times. Results: The therapeutic fully cured the wounds and there was no occurrence of hypopigmentation or scar tissues leading to any disability. Conclusions: Observations and experience leads to the conclusion that antifungal, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of oleoresin supplemented with coconut oil offer excellent therapeutic solutions for burn injuries. It seems that the preparation worked as melanogenesis stimulator inhibiting hypopigmentation. The treatment has not been attempted in other types of burns like chemical burns.