Burn Injuries

The severity of a burn depends on how hot the skin gets and how long the burn lasts. The location is also important, because skin varies in thickness, water and oil content, the amount of subcutaneous fat, and the number of blood vessels from one location in the body to another. The diagnosis of a burn injury is based on how deep the injury is.

TREATMENT

Short-term treatment of burns can include antibiotics, bandages, escharectomies, and pressure garments. Click here to learn more about short-term treatment methods. Skin grafts involve transplantation of skin from one area of the body to another. Some burns can be treated on an outpatient basis, while others require hospitalization.

Choices about long term burn care depend on the severity of the burn injury as well as whether the patient suffered lung injury from inhaling smoke or chemicals and whether there were pre-existing medical problems.

FINANCIAL RESOURCES AND LONG-TERM CARE

Because burn injuries usually result from accidents or violence, many people have questions about whether or not they can be compensated. There are several potential sources of financial assistance and/or compensation for people with burn injuries.

Long term care presents additional challenges. There are now more than 100 specialized burn treatment centers in the United States. Learn about burn clinics, who they treat, and where you can find one. Also, dermabrasion and dermaplaning can smooth scars.