I was nine years old when I was accidently doused with burning gasoline.  I had reconstructive surgery way back in 1963-64 and have had scars from the burns and the graf source areas.

 

Naturally I have had all the normal bumps and scrapes on the scars that a lifetime living produces.  As I have aged the scars have become more of a problem.  Like all the skin on my body it is less pliable and less moist.

 

My grandmother who was not a burn victim had trouble in her late years with spontaneous skin leasions on her lower legs some that required medical treatment.  I knew that my scaring would be an issue and over the years consulted with several doctors about my concerns with the aging of the scars.  You see, I don't want to lose my leg to problems in the future with these scars.

 

For the past ten years (since about age 40) I have been having cracking and blistering of the scar with areas underneath the skin that are dark similar to deep brusing.  The cracking and blistering causes intense itching which I scratch as a normal response.  I believe that the dark area are in fact bruses caused by the scratching of the fragile tissue.

 

If you have similar problems I wish to pass on a tip that was given to me by a close friend and pathologist. The product is Curel an over the counter skin lotion.  I apply a small amount each morning to my scars.  In my case it took about two months for the existing wounds to clear and another couple for the dark areas to disappear.  Now it has been about a year with no problems in the scar area.

 

Now that the scar leasions have all healed I can actually skip a day or two without any problems and I have reduced the amount of lotion that I apply to just enought to moistion the skin.  Over application does not seem to have any benefical effect.

 

Ok, if it works that good on scars what about normal tissue areas?  Naturally I have tried it all over. Use very sparingly.  In my case in sensitive areas it actually caused some irritation with daily use.  My solution is to not use it daily in sensitive areas.

 

I hope this helps anyone with burns to cope a little better.