Surgeons consider many factors when deciding what type of skin graft to use. They look at the condition, thickness, and size of the wound and where the injury is on the body. Full-thickness skin graft involves removing the epidermis and dermis and placing it on the burned area.
Burned areas can get infected , at the time of the injury and during the healing process. To prevent infection, people with burn injuries should follow the treatment orders of their healthcare team.
They should also follow the hospital's infection control guidelines, such as using gloves and gowns when recommended. Practicing good hand hygiene clean hands can help prevent infection. This applies to both the injured person and their family members, friends, and caregivers.
Eating well is a key part of the recovery process. Healing from a burn injury requires more calories and protein than healing from other types of injury. Nutritionists may be available to provide information about a well-rounded diet. It is common to feel anxious or upset after a traumatic injury. Burns can put tremendous stress on the patient and family. Burn teams include psychologists and psychiatrists who can help with feelings and concerns. Psychiatric and psychological services address issues like depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, addiction, and sleep problems.
Social services can help families with managing housing, finances, and navigating the healthcare system. The recovery process differs for everyone. Most patients report feeling pain, fatigue, and itching during recovery and rehabilitation. Patients may have a tough time dealing with these symptoms. But health care providers can offer at least some relief. Patients should always let health care staff know how they feel. In addition to care from medical staff, patients can also draw support from family and friends.
Visitors and caregivers play an important role during the recovery process. It is important for family members and friends to also take care of themselves for example, housing, food, and care of children. It can be helpful to coordinate visiting times amongst friends and family members. Family members should also assign one person to be the main point of contact with medical staff. This person should be an adult who is available to talk with the burn team.
Fact sheets about burn injuries are a great source of information. Fact sheets from the Burn Model System discuss many topics related to burn injury, such as sleep problems, body image, social interactions, and nutrition.
They cover exercise and employment after a burn injury. Feeling anxious and afraid is common after a traumatic injury. Several local and national support systems offer support and suggestions about burn injuries. By running or pouring water over the burn, the chemical may be pushed off and away from the skin. If possible, loosely cover the burn with a clean or sterile cloth or bandage.
First degree and smaller second degree burns are usually managed well at home. First aid may include soaking the burned area in clean cool not cold water for a few minutes to stop the burning process, and then drying gently. Pat to dry, do not rub. Creams, such as aloe vera or burn ointments may help relieve some of the pain or discomfort. Keep the burns clean and loosely covered, and monitor for breaks in the skin and signs of infection. Do not break any blisters that may form.
If you show any of the following signs of infection, contact your doctor or go to an urgent care clinic, so your burn can be evaluated and treated:. Would you like to share your story about sepsis or read about others who have had sepsis? Please visit Faces of Sepsis , where you will find hundreds of stories from survivors and tributes to those who died from sepsis.
Contributions are deductible for computing income estate taxes. Sepsis Alliance tax ID Share your Story. Get Resources. Donate Button — Arrow. Types of burns Burns are categorized according to their severity: First degree : These are the types of burns that most people experience at some time.
People with third degree burns are at particular risk for dehydration, infection, and sepsis. If tissues and organs do not receive enough oxygen because of shock, edema, or something else, they suffer damage and can fail.
The lungs, heart, brain, and kidneys are particularly susceptible. Infection is also a major concern. Burns also weaken the immune system, so the body is less able to fight off threats. Infections can take hold not only in the injured area, but also in organs such as the lungs pneumonia and bloodstream sepsis , where they are potentially lethal.
In many cases, health care providers cover the burned area using sterile bandages with topical antibiotics skin creams or ointments or long-acting, silver-containing dressings to prevent infection. For third-degree burns and some second-degree ones, patients need extra fluids to maintain blood pressure and prevent shock.
Surgeons may treat large burns by removing burned tissue and covering the burn wound with a skin graft. Depending on the severity, location, and nature of a burn, doctors may treat the injury with a combination of natural skin grafts, artificial skin products, and laboratory-grown epidermis. People with minor burns may be treated at their local hospital. Those with more serious burns might be transferred to a hospital with a special burn unit.
Serious burns include any burns that are likely to lead to impaired physical or psychological recovery. The American Burn Association maintains a searchable list of verified burn centers in the U.
A few decades ago, burns covering half the body were often fatal. Now, thanks to research—a large portion of it supported by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences NIGMS —people with burns covering 90 percent of their bodies can survive, although they often have permanent impairments and scars. NIGMS funds research on how the body responds to and recovers from burns, the best ways to treat these injuries, and the long-term physiological outcomes of people who have been burned.
Researchers have also learned how to replace skin by growing epidermal skin cells in a laboratory and by developing artificial skin products that can temporarily protect the burned area while the body heals.
Past research has revealed new and better ways to replenish fluids, clean wounds, control infection, support nutrition, and minimize pain. Research continues in these areas. NIGMS does not provide specific medical advice, but rather provides users with information to help them better understand health and disease.
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