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Home » Consumer Information » Burn Injuries

Pressure Garments

Healthy skin is comprised of interlocking tissue in the dermis that creates a three-dimensional web of collagen fibers that run parallel to the skin's surface. The outside layer of skin naturally puts pressure on the layers that lie beneath. Under standard conditions, this pressure allows injured skin to recuperate to its normal state free of scar tissue.

When the skin and papillary dermis is devastated by a burn, the usual pressure exerted by these layers is missing. The lack of pressure causes hypertrophic scars to form with a greater potential of deformity.

It is essential that burn victims dress with pressure garments before the scar has a chance to mature and is still in its active stages. During its early development, scar tissue will respond to stimuli, so wearing pressure garments during this time is imperative to promote normal healing. These garments should be worn for 23 hours straight until they are taken off for bathing or cleaning purposes. Patients can expect to continue wearing pressure garments between a year and year-and-a-half.

Uninterrupted use of pressure garments helps combat the thickness, buckling, and nodular patterns displayed by hypertrophic scars. Instead, a soft, flexible, stretchy scar forms allowing regular mobility at the joints. The external force provided by the garments also helps control swelling and reduces the blood flow to the scar. This will limit itchiness and stop collagen from synthesizing. Equally as important, pressure garments provide a constant shield from injury.

Caring for pressure garments

Obviously, pressure garments play a major role in the burn healing process. However, the garments must be properly maintained for them to produce the results you're hoping for. Don't hesitate to contact your therapist if you have any questions regarding your pressure garments. Here are some suggestions for keeping them clean and in good working condition:

  • Find out from your therapist how to use the garments as they were intended (e.g., putting them on and taking them off). Make sure you also ask them how to care for the garments, and don't forget to refer to the manufacturer's instructional guide.
  • Prior to prolonged usage, be certain that the garments are not too loose or snug. If they are uncomfortable at all, contact your therapist.
  • Wash the garments by hand once a day in warm water with a gentle detergent such as Woolite. Rinse all soap from the garments.
  • Do not ring the garments out to dry them. To rid them of excess water, squeeze them and roll them up in a towel. The towel should soak up most of the additional moisture. Then, the garments can be hung to air dry.
  • Never dry the garments in the sun, in a dryer, or by a heater; allow them to dry at room temperature.
  • Avoid contact with frictional services while wearing the garments. If you have garments on your feet, make sure you wear socks and shoes to prevent any holes from forming.
  • If the garment zippers are not functioning smoothly or holes are appearing, let your therapist know right away.
  • If you swim in your garments in a chlorine-filled pool or in salt water, wash and rinse them diligently.
  • If you apply a moisturizer to the areas covered by the garments, make sure there is no residue left over after rubbing it into the skin. Also, lotions, creams, or petroleum-based creams will harm the material of the garments.