Burn injuries can be incredibly serious and have long-lasting effects on someone's life. While minor burns may only cause a few days of discomfort, more severe burns can take months or even years to fully recover from.
Burn injuries that affect multiple layers of skin and underlying tissues can result in long-term complications that can impact a person’s life in a variety of ways. Understanding the potential complications of burns is essential for anyone who has suffered a severe burn injury, as it can help them better prepare for the future.
Long-Term Complications of Burns
Surviving a burn injury can be a long and difficult journey, but the aftermath can be just as challenging. As Stanford Medicine explains, the long-term complications of burns can have a profound impact on both physical and mental health.
Long-term effects of burns can include:
- Loss of certain physical abilities
- Loss of a limb
- Disfigurement or scarring
- Muscle and tissue damage
- Chronic pain
- Depression
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Low self-esteem
Burn injuries can have long-lasting consequences that can affect individuals for years or even throughout their entire lifetime. Even after receiving medical care, burn victims may need additional support to cope with the physical and emotional challenges associated with the injury.
Support groups can be an excellent resource for those seeking help and guidance from others who have experienced similar challenges. Additionally, having the care and support of friends and family members can make a significant difference in a burn victim's healing process.
What Causes Burns?
Burns are injuries that can result from a variety of causes. Examples include:
- Fires
- Scalding steam or hot liquids
- Electrical burns
- Chemical burns
Burns can result from the following scenarios:
- House or industrial fires
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Faulty space heaters or industrial equipment
- Unsafe use of fireworks
- Breathing in chemical fumes, smoke, or steam
Types of Burns
Healthcare providers use a classification system to determine the severity of burns based on the extent of damage to the skin. Types of burns are as follows:
- First-degree burns: These burns are mild and are similar to most sunburns. The top layer of the skin is red and painful but usually does not blister.
- Second-degree burns: Second-degree burns affect the skin’s top and lower layers. With this type of burn, you may experience pain, redness, swelling, and blistering.
- Third-degree burns: This is the most severe type of burn that affects all three layers of the skin. Third-degree burns also destroy hair follicles and sweat glands, leaving skin with a black, white, or red leathery appearance. You may not feel pain in the area of the burn itself because of damaged nerve endings.
Burns can range in severity from minor to life-threatening. When it comes to severe burns, you must seek medical care as soon as possible. These types of burns can result in extensive tissue damage and can even lead to infection. Medical professionals will evaluate your burn and provide treatment to alleviate pain, prevent further tissue damage, and reduce the risk of infection. Additionally, they can provide guidance on how to properly care for the burn to ensure a smooth recovery.
Burn Treatment
Depending on the severity of the burn, treatment can vary greatly. It is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible to determine the appropriate course of action.
Burn treatments can vary amongst the following:
- Pain medications
- Creams and ointments
- IV fluids
- Wound dressings
- Surgery
- Skin grafts
- Physical therapy
After suffering a burn injury, seeking help from a medical professional is crucial. Your doctor can help you effectively treat your burns and determine the best treatments for your individual needs. With their medical experience and knowledge, they can provide you with a personalized treatment plan for a safe recovery.
Contact Our Burn Injury Attorneys
Sustaining a burn injury can be devastating, especially when it happens due to someone else's negligence. If this incident has happened to you at the workplace, in a car accident, or in any other scenario, seeking legal assistance from an experienced burn injury attorney is important.
At May, Rammell & Wells, our attorneys have over 70 years of combined experience fighting for clients and pursuing the compensation they're entitled to. Depending on your circumstances, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
While we know we cannot reverse the accident, we can help to alleviate your legal stresses and work towards your recovery. Reach out to us today for the experienced legal help you need to get back on your feet.
Call (208) 623-8021 or schedule a consultation with us online.
