Burn injuries are among the most painful experiences one endures, causing not only immense physical pain but also emotional and psychological distress. The excruciating sensation of skin burning, blistering, and peeling can be overwhelming for anyone, regardless of their age.
What’s scarier about burn injuries is the wide range of sources you can incur them from – including electrical, chemical, or thermal burns. While practicing caution is the only answer to preventing burn injuries, it’s not always as straightforward.
Despite their painful nature, the prevalence of burn injuries is a global concern today. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), burns cause an estimated 180,000 deaths every year. Furthermore, non–fatal burn injuries have risen to be the leading cause of morbidity around the world.
Recovery from burns isn’t just about healing wounds; it’s also about overcoming the mental and emotional hurdles that accompany the trauma. We’re here to shed more light on the journey of recovering from burn injuries today.
Chemical Burns – Dangers and Recovery
Chemical burns can be quite sneaky and happen almost anywhere—at work, home, or even school. They occur when your skin or eyes come into contact with strong acids or bases found in household cleaners, hair products, or industrial chemicals.
BBC reported an instance of a chemical burn accident in a school bus in Bedfordshire, UK, a couple of months ago. The students of Milton Keynes School suffered chemical burn injuries on their way to school caused by some kind of leak in the vehicle.
As soon as emergency services arrived at the scene, all 61 children were thoroughly assessed, with two being sent to a nearby hospital. Do you think anyone could predict or prevent such an unusual case of chemical burn? We think not.
Recovery from chemical burns starts with immediate first aid. For liquid chemicals, rinsing the affected area with cool water for at least 20 minutes is key. For powders, brushing them off carefully before rinsing is essential.
After initial treatment, you must see a doctor to ensure proper healing and to prevent infection risks. The recovery process might involve daily cleaning, dressing changes, and sometimes medication.
It’s a journey that requires patience, care, and sometimes a bit of bravery. But with the right steps, you can heal and get back to your routine. Your recovery can take anywhere between a week to several months depending on the intensity of the injuries.
What Are the 2 Types of Chemical Burns?
Serious chemical burns are of two kinds – Partial and Full Thickness Burns. The former, also called second-degree burns, reach the dermis and cause swelling and blisters that might leave scars. On the other hand, third-degree burns run deeper and often end up damaging the tissues underneath your skin.
Recovering From Electrical Burns
Electrical burns are unique and often more serious than they appear. As electric current passes through our body, it causes damage to our tissues and organs, leading to such burns. Touching exposed wires and faulty appliances are their leading causes; even lightning strikes can result in electrical burns.
The first step in dealing with electrical burns is immediate medical attention. Even if the burn looks minor, the internal damage can be significant. Once at the hospital, doctors will assess the extent of the injury and start treatments based on them.
Recovery involves regular wound cleaning, dressing changes, and sometimes physical therapy to regain strength and mobility. It’s a gradual process, but with the right care, recovery is definitely possible.
How to Prevent Electric Burns at Home?
There are many simple ways to prevent the incidence of electric burns at home. When using extension cords, avoid overloading them by plugging in multiple appliances at once. Check them for frays or dirt regularly. Placing your appliances close to running or standing water is also a hazard.
The Peril of Thermal Burns
Did you know that thermal burns are among the most common and painful types of injuries? They’re caused by direct contact with hot objects like boiling water, steam, hot surfaces, or flammable liquids.
The National Library of Medicine notes that of all the patients who receive burn treatments annually, 86% suffer chemical burns.
These burns can occur in everyday situations, such as cooking, grilling, using candles, or even handling fireworks.
Recovery from thermal burns depends on the severity. Minor burns can heal easily with basic first aid and home care. Severe burns, on the other hand, can’t be treated at home and need medical intervention. This entails wound care, pain management, and possibly even surgery in many cases. With proper treatment and time, recovery is achievable.
Thermal Burns – A Challenge For the Firefighters
It might come as a surprise to some, but even firefighters aren’t immune to the risk of thermal burn injuries. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) highlights thermal burns as one of the primary fire ground injuries that these men in red face.
While its instance is only 7%, following smoke inhalation (29%) and strains or sprains (23%), it’s still a notable threat. What makes matters worse is that beyond the threat of these burns, firefighters also risk themselves in extinguishing the fires that cause them.
Inflammable liquids – one of the leading causes of thermal burns – stand out for another reason as well. The fire caused by these liquids isn’t easy to suppress, making them a pressing concern.
While the Aqueous Film-forming Foam (AFFF) has emerged as a solution to keeping these fires in check, it comes at a heavy price.
TorHoerman Law notes the presence of PFAS – or forever chemicals – in this firefighting foam, linking it to adverse health consequences, including cancer.
Many firefighters have sued manufacturers of the AFFF in recent years, demanding compensation for the health risks it has exposed them to. The AFFF lawsuit settlement amounts are estimated to range between $40,000 and $300,000 per victim, depending on the strength of their case.
How to Clean a Thermal Burn?
In case of a minor thermal burn, you should place it under cool running water for 5-10 minutes, applying an ointment over it afterward. Anything from petroleum jelly to aloe vera gel is a good choice. Covering it with lightly taped bandage wraps can help protect it from rubbing or pressure.
When Physical Recovery Isn’t Enough
So far, we’ve focused on the physical recovery from burn injuries. However, truly recovering from these injuries involves more than just healing the body.
This might come as a surprise to some, but the psychological impact of a burn injury can be just as damaging, if not more so. Burn survivors struggle with emotional and mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
These feelings stem from the trauma of the injury and the stress of ongoing treatments, the Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center (MSKTC) notes.
The trauma of the injury itself can lead to intense fear and anxiety. This is particularly true in burn cases caused by a traumatic event like a fire or accident. If the injuries cause changes in your appearance – even in the subtlest form – they hit your self-esteem, leading to social withdrawal and isolation.
Such psychological distress can significantly impact the recovery process. When you’re struggling mentally and emotionally, staying motivated through physical therapy, wound care, and other necessary treatments can become a challenge.
The mental distress can also affect your sleep, appetite, and overall quality of life, further hindering physical recovery.
In order to recover fully from the burn, you must address its psychological aspects just like its physical ones. That being said, you needn’t do it alone.
Many counselors, support groups, and therapies out there can help you with it. It’s important to recognize that healing isn’t just about physical recovery – mental and emotional well-being plays a vital role, too.
The journey of recovering from a burn injury might seem as painful as going through it for many people. If your mental wellness is impacted by these injuries, the scars run even deeper.
In its wake, all we can do is draw comfort from the fact that the worst is over. With time, effort, and help, we can move on from these injuries slowly but surely.