Clinical Consideration of Contact Burn Caused by Hair Straightener

Lee, Jae Un; Lim, Soo A; Song, Jin Kyung; Joo, Hong Sil

Abstract

PURPOSE
Hair straightener is a common tool among various household electric appliances used for hair styling. Hair straightener has plate consists of metal or ceramic, which lead to possible burn if contacted. Main users of hair straightener are young women whereas main victims of hair straightener caused-burn are infants. Among patients visiting our burn medical center, the case of attending hospital due to contact burn by hair straightener tends to increase.
METHODS
Retrospective research was conducted 72 patients with contact burn by hair straightener among patients admitted to our burn medical center from Jan 2012 to Dec 2014. Subjects were classified by age, gender, affected site and degree and treatment method.
RESULTS
72 subjects consisted of 39 infants, 9 children, adolescence and 24 adults. Affected sites were presented as hands in 31, face in 21, foot in 13, arms in 5 and legs in 2 subjects. Degree of burn was presented as deep second degrees in 67 and third degrees in 5 subjects; 70 subjects were cured through conservative treatment whereas 2 subjects had local flap.
CONCLUSION
Contact burn by hair straightener can be ranged from partial to full thickness skin defect. It is important to note this kind of burn develops more frequently in infants and is preventative. Education for young women who use hair straightener is crucial. Training regarding function and design improvement of hair straightener is also essential. Uncovering the heated plate after use through a separate lock device might be great help for prevention of contact burn if developed.