Face and Neck Burns Rehabilitation

Original Editor - Rhiannon Clement

Top Contributors - Rhiannon Clement, Rucha Gadgil, Samuel Mayah, Naomi O'Reilly and Shaimaa Eldib  

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Rehabilitation after Burns: Face and Neck[edit | edit source]

Your face and neck at high risk of burns, as it is rarely covered by clothing or other protective gear.

However, there are protective characteristics that often reduce the depth of burns injuries to these areas [1]:

  • People tend to protect their face and shake / wipe off substances.
  • Less likely to have materials over face that could absorb the heat and increase time in contact with skin.
  • Skin on face is relatively thick (except eyelids) with a good blood supply to dissipate heat.

Healing[edit | edit source]

Risks by area[1][edit | edit source]

Back of head: Area of thin skin with risk of exposure of underlying bone. May also result in areas of alopecia.

Ears: Risk of exposure of underlying cartilage, which is relatively avasular and at risk of infection.

Forehead: Less fat and muscle in this area can increase risk of exposed bone.

Eye lids: Also thin skin and at risk of exposure of underlying tissue / eyes. They also provide little resistance to forces of contracture and are prone to forming ectropios, exposing the inner eyelid.

Nose: Risk of shrinkage of nostrils and nasal alar. Also at risk of exposure of underlying cartilage and bone, which are relavitly avascular and at risk of infection.

Cheeks: Mobile and thick skin. This area has good resistance to skin contractures. However, difficult to immobilise for healing post-surgery.

Lips: Prone to shrinkage or eversion as a result of contractures.

Neck: More prone to contractures in younger patients, due to reduced laxity. The skin loosens with age, creating more tolerance for shrinkage.

Aims of Treatment[2][edit | edit source]

  • Pain control
  • Address inhalation injury
  • Encourage movement and function
  • Odema Management
  • Tissue repair
  • Scar Management
  • Patient education
  • Exercise regimen

Precautions[edit | edit source]

  • Damage to bone or tendon
  • Tissue repair

- Both may require a period of immobilisation for healing or to allow skin graft adherence[2].

Resources[edit | edit source]

  • bulleted list
  • x

or

  1. numbered list
  2. x

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Greenhalgh D. G. Management of facial Burns. Burns and Trauma (2020) vol 8
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Edgar D and Brereton M. Rehabilitation after burn injury BMJ (2004) 329(7461): 343-345
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