Scars left after being burned by smoke (i.e. keloid scars) usually do not need to be treated; if it affects the aesthetics or the function of the limb, the scar symptoms can be improved through general treatment, medication, physical therapy, surgery, and so on.
1. General treatment: patients should avoid scratching, keep the area dry and clean, and avoid being burned again.
2. Drug treatment: patients can use silicone preparation under the guidance of doctors to inhibit the generation of scar; if local hyperpigmentation occurs, hydroquinone cream, arbutin and other drugs can be used as prescribed by the doctor to lighten the hyperpigmentation and improve the symptoms.
3. Physical therapy: patients can also be guided by the doctor through laser therapy, intense pulsed light therapy and other ways to improve the scar symptoms.
4. Surgery: For patients with large cigarette burns, surgery can be performed according to the doctor’s instructions to remove the scarred area and improve the scarring symptoms by combining the above treatments.
It is recommended that patients with scarring from cigarette burns keep their skin clean and dry in daily life to avoid infection, and go to regular hospitals in time to get standardized treatment under the guidance of doctors when it affects the aesthetics or function.