San Jose Burn Injury Attorney

Navigating the Impact of Burn Injuries: Causes, Treatment, & Recovery

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), burn injuries are caused by heat, radiation, radioactivity, electricity, or chemicals. A thermal burn is caused by heat—such as fire or scalding liquids—and destroys some or all of the cells in the victim’s skin. Burn injuries can occur at home, at work, or in other locations. The majority of burn injuries happen at home and usually heal without extensive medical attention. These burns are often referred to as first-degree burns. 

According to the American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH), there are four types of burn injuries:

• First-Degree Burns: First-degree burn injuries and some second-degree burns are considered minor injuries. A first-degree burn may turn the victim’s skin red. Only the first layer of skin is damaged, and blisters will not form. First-degree burns, such as a sunburn, can be very painful.
• Second-Degree Burns: Second-degree burns can be treated as first-degree burns if they are small. Second-degree burns damage the first and second layers of skin. They are identifiable by redness, swelling, and blisters. Because they do not involve nerve damage, second-degree burns can be extremely painful.
• Third-Degree Burns: Third-degree burns are extremely severe and damage all layers of the skin. After a third-degree burn, the victim’s skin may appear white and leathery. Fourth-degree burns are the same as third-degree burns but may involve bone and muscle damage as well. Third- and fourth-degree burns may not be painful because the victim’s nerves may be damaged.

Last year, the American Burn Association recorded approximately 450,000 burn injury victims receiving treatment in the United States. Approximately 45,000 people were hospitalized for severe burn injuries, and more than half of these patients were treated at specialized burn treatment centers. In the U.S., there are 125 hospitals with operational specialized facilities for treating burn victims. The number of injury victims admitted to burn centers has increased over the last several decades. However, treatment options and recovery rates have improved as well. On average, burn centers accept 200 new patients every year. Burn centers in the United States have a patient survival rate of 96.1%.

Long-Term Effects of Burn Injuries

Burn injuries can have serious long-term effects that go far beyond the initial trauma. Depending on the severity, location, and type of burn, survivors may face a wide range of physical, emotional, and psychological challenges.

Physically, burns can cause permanent scarring, disfigurement, and limited mobility, especially if joints or muscles are affected. Many victims require multiple surgeries, skin grafts, or long-term rehabilitation to restore function and manage pain. Nerve damage is also common, leading to chronic pain or loss of sensation in affected areas.

Emotionally and psychologically, burn survivors often struggle with depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), particularly if the injury was the result of a traumatic event. The emotional toll can be even more significant if the burns affect visible parts of the body, leading to self-esteem issues and social withdrawal.

Financially, the burden of long-term medical care, therapy, and time away from work can be overwhelming. Many people need ongoing support and accommodations to return to daily life.

Treating Burn Injuries

First-degree burn injuries usually heal without medical attention. Thus, first-degree burn injury treatment is primarily used to reduce pain. Minor burns can be treated by running them under cool (not cold) water. Small second-degree burns can be treated like first-degree burns and usually heal without medical attention in less than a week. If a significant portion of the victim’s body has been burned, the injury should be treated at a hospital. Second-degree burns may be extremely painful. Like a first-degree burn, minor second-degree burns can be treated at home by running cool water over the affected area. A cool compress can also be used to extract heat from the injury and reduce pain. Avoid cooling the injury for more than half an hour.

After the injury cools, clean it very gently. Do not apply ointment, butter, or oil to the affected area. To ensure that the burn doesn’t become infected, cover it with a clean bandage. If there are open blisters in the affected area, they may be treated with an antibacterial spray. Tylenol or Advil may be used to reduce pain and keep the injury from swelling. Third- and fourth-degree burns are extremely severe and require immediate medical attention. They cannot be treated at home. Many times, third-degree burns are treated at specialized burn treatment centers. Skin grafts may be used to restore the affected area. Depending on the location and severity of the burn, additional surgery may be necessary during the rehabilitation process.