What happens to the elasticity of the skin in areas that are burned when swelling occurs?

When swelling occurs in burned areas, the elasticity of the skin decreases. This happens because the inflammatory response to a burn injury often leads to an accumulation of fluid in the tissues, which results in edema. As the tissue swells, it becomes less flexible and more rigid, impairing its ability to stretch and move as freely as normal skin would. The loss of elasticity can inhibit proper healing and may complicate rehabilitation efforts for the affected individual.

In the context of burn care, understanding these changes is crucial for planning appropriate treatment and interventions to support recovery as well as rehabilitation strategies that may need to be implemented to help regain normal skin function and elasticity post-healing.