Burn Healing continued

8 days post burn

Back to the saga of burn wound care!  The picture above was taken 8 days after the burn and the wound was still oozing so we kept it covered.  Over the next few days, it progressed and continued to heal.

Day 9

Day 10

Day 11

Day 12

At this point, the wound was no longer oozing so we tried leaving the gauze off as the burn center had instructed.  Unfortunately, newly grown skin is not only incredibly thin and sensitive, it is also itchy.  She managed to scratch herself within minutes so we put her back in the gauze and mesh shirt to keep her hands away from the burn.   

Day 13

On the 13th day after she was burned, I went into labor and delivered Bear.  My mom watched Monkey and Monster for us while we were in the hospital but she did make the mistake of turning around for about 2 seconds to talk to Monkey while Monster had her gauze off which resulted in her scratching open the fresh skin again, as evidenced in the day 15 post below.

Day 15

Day 16

Day 17

Day 18

At this point, Mr. Gem had taken her back to the burn center for another check up.  The said she was healing well and told us to switch to fragrance free lotion like Eucerin and sunscreen.  We were told to be vigilant for the next year as even a minor sunburn could cause scarring on this fresh tissue and let me tell you...we were VERY strict.  Lotion was applied at least 3 times daily, sometimes more if she started to scratch, sunscreen was applied at least twice daily and we also just didn't go outside much.

Day 20

Day 22

Day 25

Day 30

2 months post burn

As you can see, over time it did get lighter and lighter and today, 4 years later, no one can tell she was burned.  We go to a camp every year that is for burn victims and the nurses there are always amazed that she has no noticeable scarring.  The only scar she has is where the burn underwent conversion, it doesn't tan so during the summer she will have 2 or 3 little white lines on her shoulder.  I put it down to good genes, good luck and good vigilance that first year.


I know these last two posts aren't happy fun posts but I really wanted to make them because if it can help even one parent out there who is currently going through this with their child then it is worth it.  

Tomorrow, I will post of happier things, I promise!!