Volume 2, Issue 8                    The Traut Firm eNewsletter              October 2006            www.trautfirm.com

SURVIVING BURN INJURIES

At the Traut Firm, we often handle cases involving victims of moderate to catastrophic burns. Besides being the extremely painful, treating burns properly is key to a successful recovery. This newsletter is written to assist you in identifying the types of burns and the various treatments.

What are the classifications of burns?

Burns are classified as first-, second-, or third-degree, depending on how deep and severe they penetrate the skin's surface.

First-degree (superficial) burns
First-degree burns affect only the epidermis, or outer layer of skin. The burn site is red, painful, dry, and with no blisters. Mild sunburn is an example. Long-term tissue damage is rare and usually consists of an increase or decrease in the skin color.

Second-degree (partial thickness) burns
Second-degree burns involve the epidermis and part of the dermis layer of skin. The burn site appears red, blistered, and may be swollen and painful.

Third-degree (full thickness) burns
Third-degree burns destroy the epidermis and dermis. Third-degree burns may also damage the underlying bones, muscles, and tendons. The burn site appears white or charred. There is no sensation in the area since the nerve endings are destroyed.

Second and third-degree burns require the immediate attention of a physician or other healthcare provider. Listed below you will find additional information relating to first-, second-, or third-degree burns.

We will focus on the 2^nd and 3^rd degree burns since they can have long lasting affects.

What is a second-degree burn?

Second-degree burns involve the epidermis and part of the dermis layer of skin. The burn site appears red, blistered, and may be swollen and painful.

What causes a second-degree burn?

In most cases, second-degree burns are caused by the following:

• scald injuries

• flames

• skin that briefly comes in contact with a hot object

What are the symptoms of a second-degree burn?

The following are the most common signs and symptoms of a second-degree burn. However, each person may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:

• blisters

• deep redness

• burned area may appear wet and shiny

• skin that is painful to the touch

• burn may be white or discolored in an irregular pattern

The symptoms of a second-degree burn may resemble other conditions or medical problems.

Treatment for second-degree burns:

Superficial second-degree burns usually heal in about three weeks, as long as the wound is kept clean and protected. Deep second-degree burns may take longer than three weeks to heal. Specific treatment for a second-degree burn will be determined by your physician, based on the following:

• your age, overall health, and medical history

• extent of the burn

• location of the burn

• cause of the burn

• your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies

• your opinion or preference

A second-degree burn that does not cover more than 10 percent of the skin's surface can usually be treated in an outpatient setting. Treatment depends on the severity of the burn and may include the following:

• antibiotic ointments

• dressing changes one or two times a day depending on the severity of the burn

• daily cleaning of the wound to remove dead skin or ointment

• possibly systemic antibiotics

Wound cleaning and dressing changes may be painful. In these cases, an analgesic (pain reliever) may need to be given. In addition, any blisters that have formed should not be burst.

What is a third-degree burn?

A third-degree burn is referred to as a full thickness burn. This type of burn destroys the outer layer of skin (epidermis) and the entire layer beneath (or dermis).

 What causes a third-degree burn?

In most cases, third-degree burns are caused by the following:

• a scalding liquid

• skin that comes in contact with a hot object for an extended period of time

• flames from a fire

• an electrical source

• a chemical source

What are the symptoms of a third-degree burn?

The following are the most common symptoms of a third-degree burn. However, each person may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:

• dry and leathery skin

• black, white, brown, or yellow skin

• swelling

• lack of pain because nerve endings have been destroyed

Large third-degree burns heal slowly and poorly without medical attention. Because the epidermis and hair follicles are destroyed, new skin will not grow.

The symptoms of a third-degree burn may resemble other conditions or medical problems. Consult your physician for a diagnosis.

Treatment for third-degree burns:

Specific treatment for a third-degree burn will be determined by your child's physician, based on the following:

• your age, overall health, and medical history

• extent of the burn

• location of the burn

• cause of the burn

• your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies

• your opinion or preference

Treatment for third-degree burns will depend on the severity of the burn. Burn severity is determined by the amount of body surface area that has been affected. The burn severity will be determined by your physician. Treatment for third-degree burns may include the following:

• early cleaning and debriding (removing dead skin and tissue from the burned area). This procedure can be done in a special bathtub in the hospital or as a surgical procedure.

• intravenous (IV) fluids containing electrolytes

• antibiotics by intravenous (IV) or by mouth

• antibiotic ointments or creams

• a warm, humid environment for the burn

• nutritional supplements and a high-protein diet

• pain medications

• skin grafting (may be required to achieve closure of the wounded area)

• functional and cosmetic reconstruction

What is a skin graft?

A skin graft is a piece of unburned skin which is surgically removed to cover a burned area. Skin grafts can be thin or thick. Skin grafts are performed in the operating room. The burn that is covered with a skin graft is called a graft site.

What is a donor site?

The area where the piece of unburned skin was taken to be donated to a burned area is called a donor site. After a skin graft procedure the donor sites look like a scraped or a skinned knee. Your physician will decide if a skin graft is needed. A skin graft is often performed after debridement or removal of the dead skin and tissue.

Graft site care:

The dressing is left on the graft site for two to five days before it is changed, so that the new skin will stay in place. For the first several days, graft sites need to be kept very still and protected from rubbing or pressure.

Donor site care:

The donor site is covered for the first one to two weeks. The site needs to be kept covered. Donor sites usually heal in 10 to 14 days. If a dressing is applied, it usually remains on until it comes off by itself. Lotion is applied to the donor site after the dressing comes off. This skin often flakes off and looks dry.

If you or someone in your family has sustained 2^nd or 3^rd degree burns in an incident that was the fault of a  another  person, company or product, contact us by completing our Case Evaluation form or simply call toll free 1-877-Traut-Firm. Consultation is free. There is no fee unless and until you win your case.

The Traut Firm
"When You Mean Business"