Burns

The effects of a burn are far-reaching and can lead to serious complications if not treated properly or promptly. For example, the scarring on one’s face may prevent them from working in some cases, which could cause an endless downward spiral of lowered self-esteem, depression, and anxiety, among other things for those who suffer this sort of injury.

In addition to mental or emotional scarring, physical side effects of serious or widespread burns could lead to lifelong problems such as:

• Bacterial infection, which may lead to bloodstream infection (sepsis)
• Nerve damage and residual life-long pain (neuropathy)
• Fluid loss, including low blood volume (hypovolemia)
• Dangerously low body temperature (hypothermia)
• Respiratory problems from the intake of hot air or smoke
• Scars or ridged areas caused by an overgrowth of scar tissue (keloids)
• Bone and joint problems, such as when scar tissue causes the shortening and tightening of skin, muscles, or tendons (contractures)
• Contractures are scar tissue that can tighten up over time, leading to tightness and making movement painful.
• Compromised immune systems are usually the result of certain organ damage and infections that can permanently affect an immune system.

When to See a Doctor
Any burn injury should be taken seriously, but some more so than others require immediate professional medical treatment. You should seek emergency medical assistance for any of the following:

• Burns that cover the hands, feet, face, groin, buttocks, a major joint, or a large area of the body
• Deep burns, which means burns affecting all layers of the skin or even deeper tissues or bone
• Burns that cause the skin to look leathery
• Burns that appear charred or have patches of black, brown, or white
• Burns caused by chemicals or electricity
• Difficulty breathing or burns to the airway

It would be best to take basic first-aid measures to treat burn injuries while waiting for emergency assistance.

Burn Injury Treatment
All burn injuries are not created equal and can range from superficial to severe and are classified by “degrees.” The treatment you should apply is based on the degree of the burn.

First-Degree Burn Treatment
First-degree burns cause minimal skin damage. They are also called “superficial burns” because they affect the outermost layer of skin.

First-degree burns are usually treated with home care. Healing time may be quicker the sooner you treat the burn. Treatments for a first-degree burn include:

• soaking the wound in cool water for five minutes or longer
• taking acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain relief
• applying lidocaine (an anesthetic) with aloe vera gel or cream to soothe the skin
• using an antibiotic ointment and loose gauze to protect the affected area

Make sure you don’t use ice, as this may worsen the damage. Never apply cotton balls to a burn because the small fibers can stick to the injury and increase the risk of infection. Also, avoid home remedies like butter and eggs because, despite old wives’ tales to the contrary, these techniques are not proven to be effective.

Second-Degree Burn Treatment
Second-degree burns are more serious because the damage extends beyond the top layer of the skin. This type of burn causes the skin to blister and become extremely red and sore.

Due to the delicate nature of these wounds, keeping the area clean and bandaging the wound properly is required to prevent infection and help the burn heal quicker.

Some second-degree burns take longer than three weeks to heal, but most heal within two to three weeks without scarring, often with pigment changes to the skin.

As with first-degree burns, avoid cotton balls and questionable home remedies. Treatments for a mild second-degree burn generally include:

• running the skin under cool water for 15 minutes or longer
• taking over-the-counter pain medication (acetaminophen or ibuprofen)
• applying antibiotic cream to blisters

However, seek emergency medical treatment if the burn affects a general area, such as any of the following:

• face
• hands
• buttocks
• groin
• feet

Third-Degree & Fourth-Degree Burn Treatment
Excluding fourth-degree burns, third-degree burns are the most severe. They cause the most damage, extending through every layer of skin. This type of burn damage is so extensive that there may be no pain because of nerve damage.

Without surgery, these wounds heal with severe scarring and contracture. There is no set timeline for complete spontaneous healing for third-degree or fourth-degree burns.

Never attempt to self-treat these burn injuries, instead call 911 immediately. While you’re waiting for medical treatment, raise the wound above your heart. Don’t get undressed, but make sure no clothing is stuck to the burn.

Texas burn injury lawyers from The Crew Law Firm have proven success in helping individuals recover compensation due to catastrophic injuries from first-degree, second-degree, third-degree, and fourth-degree burns. With access to medical specialists and experts, we know how to demonstrate the full extent of your injuries and will aggressively fight for the compensation you need and deserve.

Types of Burn Injuries
Burns occur most often in the home, due to hot kitchen oils and defective household products. Burns can also happen in the workplace, from improper training or lack of safety gear. Depending on the severity of the burn, victims may require surgeries and skin grafts to treat the injured areas. Severe burns may result in amputation. All burn victims run the risk of infection as well. Specific health risks and prognoses depend on the type of burn:

• Thermal burns. Thermal burns, or those from contact with a hot substance or surface, are the most common type. They can occur in a car accident, in the kitchen, or in a fire or explosion. Thermal burns damage the tissues from the outside inward, and often leave permanent physical scars or disfigurement.
• Chemical burns. Strong acids or bases can lead to chemical burns on a person. Chemical burns can cause reactions on the exterior of your skin or within your body. Chemical burns can result in serious internal damage as well as physical scarring.
• Electrical burns. Electrical burns can come from contact with live electrical wires, electrical current, or lightning. Electric current can run through the body, affecting the tissues, muscles, organs, and bones. These incidents may occur in the workplace while working around power lines or from defective electrical products.

There are also radiation burns, or those caused from ultraviolet lights. These burns are less common than the other three but can result in similar tissue damage and disfigurement. Fireworks, accidental fires, scalding liquids, hazardous chemicals, and electric components can all cause serious burns.

After any type of burn, research your legal options. If you think someone else’s negligence is the cause of your burn injury, you may be eligible for compensation. You could recover for your medical costs, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and lost wages.