Over the last few years, there have been significant advances into different applications of botox injections for patients. It is now widely used in managing muscle spasticity disorders including spastic disorders associated with cerebral palsy in children. Even more recently, botox is reported to have been used for managing patients suffering from burns. We will examine more closely this aspect of its use.
Skin changes in burns
After a burn injury, a long healing process takes place, during which there are blisters on the skin and new skin forms. Patients can develop tightening of the skin, called contractures, during this process. Pain and limited joint mobility are associated with contractures, as well as itching and irritation. This irritation is due to the damage of the sweat glands on the surface of the skin which exposes the underlying nerve fibres. These nerve fibres are unprotected and can cause irritation when stimulated.
Patients seek treatment to relieve these symptoms because they can take a toll on their mental state and quality of life.
Use of botox injections
The use of botox as a treatment option to manage burns is relatively recent. A quick pubmed search of the term 'botox and burns' reveals all of 3 results! The healing process has been assessed in studies that involved following burn injuries in rats. Factors that were assessed include parameters like alterations in skin histology, transepidermal water loss and levels of tumor necrosis; cell regeneration and delayed inflammation were promoted by the botox injections into the site. A dramatic improvement in the cosmetic appearance of the burn scar was also visibly evident.
More recently, a study was conducted assessing the effects of botox injections in 10 patients who had suffered from deep partial thickness to full thickness burns and were suffering from a great deal of itching. Patients suffering from significant itching recovered completely after 4 weeks following the injections - a remarkable improvement. Patients remained symptom free for an average of 9 months, and in some cases up to 18 months.
In 2013, following the research that had been conducted so far, botox was finally utilised to help a patient get rid of her itching following a nasty skin burn that involved the face, neck and hands.
Conclusion
Botox has ever increasing uses, and thus far the results revealed by research are exciting. Treating burns victims with it is new, and offers promising preliminary results. Right we can only speculate as to how botox might become important in helping patients with burns injuries get back the quality of life they wish for following such an ordeal.
Skin changes in burns
After a burn injury, a long healing process takes place, during which there are blisters on the skin and new skin forms. Patients can develop tightening of the skin, called contractures, during this process. Pain and limited joint mobility are associated with contractures, as well as itching and irritation. This irritation is due to the damage of the sweat glands on the surface of the skin which exposes the underlying nerve fibres. These nerve fibres are unprotected and can cause irritation when stimulated.
Patients seek treatment to relieve these symptoms because they can take a toll on their mental state and quality of life.
Use of botox injections
The use of botox as a treatment option to manage burns is relatively recent. A quick pubmed search of the term 'botox and burns' reveals all of 3 results! The healing process has been assessed in studies that involved following burn injuries in rats. Factors that were assessed include parameters like alterations in skin histology, transepidermal water loss and levels of tumor necrosis; cell regeneration and delayed inflammation were promoted by the botox injections into the site. A dramatic improvement in the cosmetic appearance of the burn scar was also visibly evident.
More recently, a study was conducted assessing the effects of botox injections in 10 patients who had suffered from deep partial thickness to full thickness burns and were suffering from a great deal of itching. Patients suffering from significant itching recovered completely after 4 weeks following the injections - a remarkable improvement. Patients remained symptom free for an average of 9 months, and in some cases up to 18 months.
In 2013, following the research that had been conducted so far, botox was finally utilised to help a patient get rid of her itching following a nasty skin burn that involved the face, neck and hands.
Conclusion
Botox has ever increasing uses, and thus far the results revealed by research are exciting. Treating burns victims with it is new, and offers promising preliminary results. Right we can only speculate as to how botox might become important in helping patients with burns injuries get back the quality of life they wish for following such an ordeal.