Tempting as it is to wrap our precious babies in cotton wool to make sure nothing happen to them, they do need to get out into the world to explore and discover. From babies shuffling and crawling around to school children in the playground, the possibility of accidents is seemingly never ending. According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, more than 2 million children under the age of 15 are taken to A&E each year after accidents in and around the home.*
Many of these accidents will cause no significant effect and leave no visible sign, but for some children there will be a permanent reminder of their accident. Whether caused by the accident itself, by burns or by surgery after an accident, some children will be left with a visible scar on their precious skin. If this does happen, what can we parents do to help?
Nick Wilson Jones, Consultant Paediatric Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon of the Welsh Centre for Burns and Plastic Surgery, Morriston Hospital has 5 tips for parents worried about their children's scars:
Acceptance
Many parents ask me if their children’s injury will leave a scar and are naturally particularly worried about highly visible areas such as the face. The reality is that if you have a burn or graze and it hasn’t healed in 10-14 days or a surgical or traumatic wound that cuts through the deep layers of the skin, then a scar will form. The sooner that you can accept this, the more able you are to move on to protecting and treating the scar.
Encourage body confidence
The children who cope well with scars, are those who are encouraged to talk about it. Whether it’s a small facial scar or a larger area of scar, it can have a psychological impact on children. So, giving young people – and yourself - the confidence to talk about their scar and to answer other people’s questions is vital.
Stay sun safe
Scar tissue has poorly functioning melanocytes, the body’s natural protection against UV, so it very important that you protect a scar from the sun’s rays – at home or abroad. Make sure your child avoids long exposure to the sun, especially in the peak time of 12-3pm, and follows gold standard protection advice: use a factor 30+ sunscreen, wear a hat and suitable clothing such as sun suit or rash vest.
TLC
For the first 12-18 months, a scar is still in the maturation phase, but there are steps you can take to help your child’s scar to heal well. For example, regularly apply moisturiser to help hydrate the tissue and massage the area. Specific treatments such as silicone gels like Kelo-Cote* are also suitable and easy to use for children to help improve the appearance of a scar – and can be applied up to two years after the injury.
Don’t let it hold you back
It’s so important for children of any age to be outside and active, so a scar shouldn’t stop them from enjoying life. While you will naturally feel cautious of any further injury, you need to encourage your child to return to their normal routines. And, if you’re on holiday, as long as you follow sun protection guidelines and protect the scar* from over exposure to UV, children can play on the beach, swim in the sea and enjoy outdoor activities.
* Source: https://www.rospa.com/home-safety/advice/general/facts-and-figures/
KELO-COTE® is an advanced formula silicone treatment, clinically-proven to improve the appearance of scars resulting from surgery, C-sections, cosmetic procedures, burns, and general trauma.
KELO-COTE® UV Gel is the only silicone scar treatment in the UK with SPF 30 UV protection. It is specially formulated to protect visible scars from sun exposure, as new scars tend to darken and discolour when exposed to UV light.
For more information visit www.kelo-cote.co.uk
Many of these accidents will cause no significant effect and leave no visible sign, but for some children there will be a permanent reminder of their accident. Whether caused by the accident itself, by burns or by surgery after an accident, some children will be left with a visible scar on their precious skin. If this does happen, what can we parents do to help?
Nick Wilson Jones, Consultant Paediatric Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon of the Welsh Centre for Burns and Plastic Surgery, Morriston Hospital has 5 tips for parents worried about their children's scars:
Acceptance
Many parents ask me if their children’s injury will leave a scar and are naturally particularly worried about highly visible areas such as the face. The reality is that if you have a burn or graze and it hasn’t healed in 10-14 days or a surgical or traumatic wound that cuts through the deep layers of the skin, then a scar will form. The sooner that you can accept this, the more able you are to move on to protecting and treating the scar.
Encourage body confidence
The children who cope well with scars, are those who are encouraged to talk about it. Whether it’s a small facial scar or a larger area of scar, it can have a psychological impact on children. So, giving young people – and yourself - the confidence to talk about their scar and to answer other people’s questions is vital.
Stay sun safe
Scar tissue has poorly functioning melanocytes, the body’s natural protection against UV, so it very important that you protect a scar from the sun’s rays – at home or abroad. Make sure your child avoids long exposure to the sun, especially in the peak time of 12-3pm, and follows gold standard protection advice: use a factor 30+ sunscreen, wear a hat and suitable clothing such as sun suit or rash vest.
TLC
For the first 12-18 months, a scar is still in the maturation phase, but there are steps you can take to help your child’s scar to heal well. For example, regularly apply moisturiser to help hydrate the tissue and massage the area. Specific treatments such as silicone gels like Kelo-Cote* are also suitable and easy to use for children to help improve the appearance of a scar – and can be applied up to two years after the injury.
Don’t let it hold you back
It’s so important for children of any age to be outside and active, so a scar shouldn’t stop them from enjoying life. While you will naturally feel cautious of any further injury, you need to encourage your child to return to their normal routines. And, if you’re on holiday, as long as you follow sun protection guidelines and protect the scar* from over exposure to UV, children can play on the beach, swim in the sea and enjoy outdoor activities.
* Source: https://www.rospa.com/home-safety/advice/general/facts-and-figures/
KELO-COTE® is an advanced formula silicone treatment, clinically-proven to improve the appearance of scars resulting from surgery, C-sections, cosmetic procedures, burns, and general trauma.
KELO-COTE® UV Gel is the only silicone scar treatment in the UK with SPF 30 UV protection. It is specially formulated to protect visible scars from sun exposure, as new scars tend to darken and discolour when exposed to UV light.
For more information visit www.kelo-cote.co.uk
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