Dan's Fund for Burns :: Need some help? :: Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT  DOES  IT  MEAN  TO  BE  BURNED?     Burns can be a lifetime sentence...!

How do burns affect the skin?

Our skin is the largest organ of our body, it controls our temperature. It prevents infection, has 5 layers, is flexible and elastic. When the skin is burnt, it literally peals off you - leaving the surface raw rather like a rare steak. This large scale removal is absolute agony and the pain cannot be drug controlled for at least 3 weeks.

How long does it take for burns to heal?

To heal the open, raw surface area, surgeons take the top layer of skin from donor sites i.e. unburned areas of the body and then staples it over the wounds. Unfortunately, the take up rate of grafts is roughly 70%, so most burns victims need several rounds of surgery.

What long term problems are burns victims left with?

Scarring, discolouration, disfigurement, itching and pain are the long term legacy of such horrific trauma to the body. Most victims will have the prospect of further grafting and skin releasing operations in future years to come. Other than the scarring & disfigurement there is ongoing pain as the skin is no longer elastic and becomes very sensitive to the sun.

What is the difference between a 1st, 2nd or 3rd degree burn?

There are 3 different degrees of burn:

What is the survival rate for burns victims?

To work out the likelihood of survival from burns use this simple calculation: Age of patient + % burnt. The lower the result the better but the rule of thumb is that anything over 100 is extremely bad news.