Burns Assessment & Treatment in Singapore
Specialist assessment and treatment by a plastic surgeon trained in burns
Burns to the face, hands, and other functionally important areas benefit from early assessment by a plastic surgeon. The depth and size of a burn determines whether it will heal with dressings alone or whether surgery with skin grafting will be required. This assessment requires in-depth expertise and is not always straightforward in the first 24 to 48 hours. At Doctor Stitch, burns are assessed and managed by Dr Ng Zhi Yang, a dual-accredited UK and Singapore plastic surgeon with training in burn surgery and multimodality management of burn scars. If you are unsure whether your burn needs specialist attention, send us a photograph via WhatsApp and we will advise promptly.
Is Your Burn an Emergency?
Some burns require immediate attendance at an emergency department rather than a clinic setting. Please go to A&E or call 995 if:
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The burn affects a large area of the body
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The burn is anything other than minor, and involves the face, eyes, ears, hands, feet, genitals, or a major joint
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The burn is circumferential - extends around a limb, or the chest
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The person burned is an infant, young child, or elderly
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There are signs of inhalation injury - hoarse voice, or difficulty breathing
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The burn was caused by electricity or a chemical
If you are unsure, send a photograph via WhatsApp first. We will advise whether clinic-based management is appropriate or whether emergency department attendance is needed. Patient safety is our utmost priority.
Types of Burns We Manage
1. Superficial Partial Thickness Burns
Superficial partial thickness burns affect the outer layers of the dermis. They are typically red, moist, blistered, and painful. Most superficial partial thickness burns heal by themselves within two to three weeks with appropriate dressing management, without the need for surgery. The choice of dressing matters - modern wound dressings reduce pain, maintain a moist healing environment, and minimise infection risk. These are selected based on the burn characteristics at each assessment.
​2. Deep Partial Thickness Burns
Deep partial thickness burns extend deeper into the dermis. They may appear pale, mottled, or less painful than superficial burns due to nerve involvement. Healing is slower and less predictable. Some deep partial thickness burns will re-epithelialise with dressings over three to four weeks; others will not heal adequately and are better managed with early skin grafting to reduce scarring and recovery time. Serial assessment at one to two week intervals allows the healing trajectory to be monitored and an excision and grafting decision to be made at the right time.
​3. Small Full Thickness Burns
Full thickness burns destroy the entire dermis and will not heal without skin grafting. They appear white, waxy, or leathery and are typically painless in the burn itself due to nerve destruction. Small full thickness burns, particularly on the hands, face, or other cosmetically and functionally important areas, can be managed with excision and skin grafting without hospital admission in selected cases.
How Burns Are Managed at Doctor Stitch
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(1) Initial Assessment: A focused assessment determines the burn depth, size, and location, and establishes a management plan. A photograph sent via WhatsApp in advance allows preliminary triage before your appointment. Where the burn is clearly unsuitable for outpatient management, you will be directed to the appropriate facility promptly.
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(2) Dressing and Wound Care: Appropriate dressing selection is one of the most important decisions in burn management. We use modern wound dressings matched to the burn depth and healing stage. Dressing changes are scheduled at appropriate intervals, typically every three to seven days depending on the dressing type and wound progress. Clear instructions for home care between appointments are provided.
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(3) Review and Healing Assessment: Burns are reassessed at each dressing change. If a burn that was expected to heal with dressings has not shown adequate re-epithelialisation by two to three weeks, the decision to proceed to surgery with excision (see picture of thumb below) and skin grafting is made at that point rather than waiting further. Early grafting of burns that will not heal spontaneously produces better functional and cosmetic outcomes than prolonged conservative management with resulting scars that are much harder to treat.
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(4) Skin Grafting: Where skin grafting is required, this is arranged through Doctor Stitch or ZNG Plastic Surgery depending on the complexity and setting required. Split thickness skin grafting (see picture of forearm below) for small burns can be performed under local anaesthesia or sedation as a day procedure in selected cases. Dr Ng manages the entire pathway from initial assessment through to grafting and post-grafting scar management, ensuring continuity of care throughout.
(5) Burns Aftercare and Scar Management: Healed burn wounds require careful scar management to minimise long-term scarring and pigmentation changes. Sun protection is essential - healed burn skin is more susceptible to UV-related pigmentation and should be protected for at least twelve months. Silicone gel and pressure therapy are recommended for burns at risk of hypertrophic scarring, particularly over joints and on the face. For established burn scars requiring more active treatment, including laser therapy or surgical revision, see our Scar Revision page.
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Pricing
Pricing varies depending on the size, location, and complexity of the burn in accordance with Singapore MOH Table of Surgical Procedure (TOSP) fees. Consultation and follow-up, as well as medications and further tests (e.g. microbiology in suspected burns infection), if necessary, are charged separately. A clear cost estimate is provided before any treatment is initiated.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I know if my burn needs a plastic surgeon?
Burns to the face, hands, feet, genitals, or over joints, burns that are blistered or white, and burns that have not healed after two weeks with simple dressings all warrant specialist assessment. If you are unsure, send a photograph via WhatsApp and we will advise.
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2. Can I just dress my burn at home?
Small superficial burns, those that are red, painful, and without blistering, can often be managed at home with appropriate dressings. However, burns that blister, appear pale or white, or affect sensitive areas should be assessed by a specialist. Early assessment costs little and avoids the risk of under-treating a deeper burn. In general, specialist surgeons do not routinely use creams for burns.
3. How often will I need dressing changes?
This depends on the dressing type and the wound. Most burns are reviewed every three to seven days. You will be given clear guidance on the dressing schedule and home care at each appointment.
4. When is skin grafting necessary?
Skin grafting is required for full thickness burns and for deep partial thickness burns that have not shown adequate healing by two to three weeks. The decision is made based on serial wound assessment rather than on the initial presentation alone.
5. Will my burn scar badly?
Scarring depends on the depth of the burn, the location, your skin type, and the quality of wound management. Superficial burns that heal within two weeks rarely scar significantly. Deeper burns carry a higher risk of hypertrophic scarring, particularly over joints. Early scar management with silicone, sun protection, and pressure where appropriate reduces this risk.
6. Is burn treatment covered by insurance?
Burns treatment is generally claimable under medical insurance as it is a medical rather than cosmetic indication. We can provide documentation to support your claim.​
To arrange an assessment, contact us via WhatsApp.
Same-day appointments are available subject to scheduling.
Where definitive reconstructive or revision surgery is required, care may continue under Dr Ng Zhi Yang via ZNG Plastic Surgery
