What To Expect After A Burn Injury

Burn injuries can be devastating and catastrophic for victims, especially when they are severe. It is important for burn injury victims and their loved ones to know what to expect after this type of serious injury occurs. The Nashville personal injury attorneys at Mitch Grissim & Associates are here to help after an accident causes serious burns or other injuries and will advocate for the compensation you need to recover. To learn more about the wide range of legal services offered to our clients suffering from burn injuries, call or contact our office today.

Different Types And Degrees Of Burns

Burns are a type of injury to the skin caused by heat, electricity, radiation, or chemicals. Burns can be classified into different types and degrees, depending on the severity and depth of the burn.

First-degree burns are the most minor type of burn and are also known as superficial or partial thickness burns. They cause the skin to become red, swollen, and painful, but the burned skin remains intact. First-degree burns often heal in about three to six days, with minimal scarring.

Second-degree burns, also known as partial thickness burns, are more serious than first-degree burns. The skin may become red, blistered, and swollen. The burn may cause the skin to become white or blackened. Second-degree burns often take weeks or months to heal, and can cause scarring.

Third-degree burns, also known as full thickness burns, are the most severe type of burn. This type of burn destroys the entire layer of skin, and may even reach the bones and muscles beneath. Third-degree burns can cause serious burns that can take months or even years to heal. The burned skin may appear black or charred and can cause permanent scarring.

No matter the degree of the burn, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Burns can cause serious complications and should be treated immediately. Minor burns such as first-degree burns can usually be treated at home with over-the-counter medicines and cooling compresses, while severe burns such as second and third-degree burns may require hospitalization and specialized treatments.

The Difference Between Minor And Major Burns

Minor burns are superficial burns that affect only the outer layer of skin, while major burns can be more severe and affect deeper layers of skin. Minor burns do not usually require medical attention and can be treated with over-the-counter medicines and cooling compresses. Minor burns will generally heal on their own within a few days or weeks, depending on the severity.

Severe burns, on the other hand, can be life-threatening and require medical attention. These burns can affect all layers of skin, and may even reach the bones and muscles beneath. Severe burns often require skin grafts to replace the burned area and promote healing. Skin grafts involve taking healthy skin from another area of the body and transplanting it to the burn wound. This healthy skin helps to cover the burned area and create new scar tissue.

Full thickness burns are the most severe type of burn and involve the destruction of the entire layer of skin. These deep burns can cause serious burns and require specialized treatments, such as skin grafts, to promote healing. Burn wounds often need to be treated with topical medications and wound dressings to prevent infection and reduce pain.

No matter the degree of the burn, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Minor burns such as first-degree burns can usually be treated at home, while severe burns such as second and third-degree burns may require hospitalization and specialized treatments. Treating burns as soon as possible can help to reduce the risk of complications and scars, and ensure that the burned area heals properly.

Determining The State Of A Burn

When a burn occurs, it is important to determine the state of the burn in order to provide the best possible treatment. Burns are typically classified as first, second, or third-degree, and can be further categorized as partial or full thickness burns.

First-degree burns, also known as superficial burns, are the least serious type of burn. These burns only damage the outer layer of skin and typically cause redness and mild pain. First-degree burns can generally be treated at home with over-the-counter medicines and cooling compresses to relieve pain.

Second-degree burns, also called partial thickness burns, are more serious than first-degree burns. These burns go beyond the outer layer of skin and can damage nerve endings, causing intense pain. Second-degree burns often take weeks or months to heal and can cause scarring. Skin grafts may be necessary to promote the healing process.

Third-degree burns, also known as full thickness burns, are the most severe type of burn. These burns destroy the entire layer of skin, and may even reach the bones and muscles beneath. Third-degree burns can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. Skin grafts may be necessary to replace the burned area and promote healing.

When determining the state of a burn, it is important to consider the size of the burn, as well as the total body surface area affected. It is also important to consult with a medical professional in order to properly assess the severity of the burn and provide the most appropriate treatment. With proper treatment, burns can heal properly and the risk of scarring can be minimized. By taking the necessary steps to properly assess and treat burns, the healing process can be accelerated, and the burn can heal with minimal complications.

Psychological Impact After Burn Injury

Burn injury is a type of trauma that is caused by heat, electricity, chemicals, or radiation. Burns affect the skin and underlying tissue and can range from minor to life-threatening. There are three main categories of burn injury: first-degree, second-degree, and third-degree.

First-degree burns are the least serious burns and only affect the outer layer of skin. These burns usually cause redness and minor pain, and can usually be treated at home with over-the-counter medications and cooling compresses to relieve pain.

Second-degree burns are more serious than first-degree burns and affect the outer and inner layers of the skin. These burns are often painful and can take weeks or months to heal. In some cases, skin grafts may be necessary to help the burn wound heal. Skin grafts involve taking donor skin from another part of the body and transplanting it onto the burned area in order to promote healing.

Third-degree burns are the most severe type of burn injury and can cause nerve damage, scarring, and even death. These burns require immediate medical attention and may require skin grafts, as well as physical therapy in order to maximize the healing of the burn.

Burn treatment involves managing the pain, infection, and scarring associated with the burn, as well as promoting wound healing. In some cases, skin grafts may be necessary to cover the burn wound and promote healing. Physical therapy may also be necessary to help the patient regain movement and strength in the affected area. With proper treatment, burns can heal properly and the risk of scarring can be minimized. By taking the necessary steps to properly assess and treat burns, the healing process can be accelerated and the burn can heal with minimal complications.

Medical Treatment For Burn Injuries

For first and some second-degree burns, medical treatment may include icing the area and topical medication to prevent infection. However, serious second-degree and third-degree burns often require more extensive medical intervention. Skin grafts are often required, which is when medical professionals take unburned skin from another area of the body like the back or thigh, and graft it to the burned area. Both the burned areas and graft sites take weeks or more to heal. There is also a higher risk for infection with burn injuries than other types of injuries after an accident, so additional medication, personal protective gear, and other practices may be implemented after a burn to reduce the risk.

Rehabilitation After A Burn Injury

Rehabilitation following a serious burn injury can take many forms, as burns often leave substantial scarring that can affect a victim physically and mentally. Psychiatric or psychological services are often a part of rehabilitation for the victim and their family to help process the trauma and deal with issues of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, suicidal ideation, and other issues common after this type of injury.

The physical rehabilitation after a burn injury is dictated by the location and severity of the burns. Physical therapy is meant to improve physical impairments caused by the burn injury, which can include the victim’s ability to walk and move, do daily tasks, and increase range of motion in areas that are scarred. Occupational therapy uses everyday activities to help patients in their recovery, such as performing tasks like dressing, bathing, cooking, and feeding themselves. If the burn injuries affected the throat, speech-language pathology may also be incorporated into physical rehabilitation to help with swallowing, voice, and communication.

What Victims and Families Should Expect

Everyone’s recovery is different after a burn injury, but victims of burns should expect to feel some level of pain, fatigue, and itching while the skin heals. These feelings can be managed by healthcare professionals, and emotional difficulty after a burn injury can be helped by therapists. Loved ones of a burn victim should also take care of themselves, especially while a victim is recovering in the hospital and during rehabilitation. It is important to stay healthy, positive, and supportive of a burn victim during this difficult time.

Call or Contact Our Office

To learn more about what to expect after a burn injury, call or contact Mitch Grissim & Associates in Nashville today to schedule a free consultation.