Burn Discharge Information

What is a burn?

A burn is damage to body tissues caused by sunlight, heat (such as fire, electricity, radiation, hot water or steam), or chemicals. Burns are described by the damage they cause.

• A first-degree (superficial) burn affects only the top layer of skin, causing pain and redness.
• A second-degree (partial thickness) burn affects the top layers of skin and supporting tissues, causing pain, redness, and blisters.
• A third-degree (full thickness) burn is a more severe burn that affects all layers of skin and supporting tissues, causing a white color or black charring. The charred areas may not be painful because of damaged nerves, but the surrounding skin may be very painful.

Full thickness burns that also affect the fat, muscle, and bone under the skin may be called fourth-degree burns. Even burns that are not as deep may be considered severe if they cover a large area of your body. A person who is burned may also have damage to the eyes (ocular burn) with facial burns or to the airway (inhalation burn) from breathing in hot air, steam, smoke, or chemicals.

How can I take care of myself when I go home?

How long it takes to get better depends on how severe your burn is, the part of your body affected, your treatment, how well you recover, your overall health, and any complications you may have.

Management

• Your provider will give you a list of your medicines when you leave the hospital.
  • Know your medicines. Know what they look like, how much you should take each time, how often you should take them, and why you take each one.
  • Take your medicines exactly as your provider tells you to.
  • Carry a list of your medicines in your wallet or purse. Include any nonprescription medicines and supplements on the list.
  • Talk to your provider before you use any other medicines, including nonprescription medicines.
• Follow the treatment plan your healthcare provider prescribes.
• Your provider may prescribe medicine to:
  • Treat pain
  • Treat or prevent an infection
  • Replace or supplement nutrients, hormones, or other chemicals that your body may need to recover from the burn
  • Help relax and reduce swelling in your airways if they were damaged by the burn
• Your provider may recommend other types of therapy to help relieve pain, other symptoms, or side effects of treatment.
• Follow activity restrictions, such as not driving or operating machinery, as recommended by your healthcare provider or pharmacist, especially if you are taking pain medicines.
• You may need physical or occupational therapy to help prevent complications and improve your recovery. Most rehabilitation programs include:
  • Physical therapy to help prevent scars and muscle contractures and regain muscle strength
  • Occupational therapy to help you relearn ways to do the tasks that you did before the burn
• To care for your wound:
  • Keep your wound clean.
  • If you are told to change your dressing, wash your hands before changing the dressing and after disposing of the dressing.
• Drink enough fluids to keep your urine light yellow in color.
• Take care of your health. Try to get at least 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night. Eat a healthy diet and try to keep a healthy weight. If you smoke, try to quit. If you want to drink alcohol, ask your healthcare provider how much is safe for you to drink. Learn ways to manage stress. Exercise according to your healthcare provider's instructions.

Appointments

• Follow your provider's instructions for follow-up appointments.
• Keep appointments for any testing you may need.
• Talk with your provider about any questions or concerns you have.

Call your healthcare provider if you have new or worsening:

• Bluish color of your skin below the level of the burn
• Dehydration, which means losing too much fluid from your body
• Numbness in your feet or hands below the level of the burn
• Increased pain at the site of the burn
• Increased drainage from the burned area
• Depression
• Signs of infection around your burn wound or surgery site. These include:
  • The area around your wound is more red or painful
  • Your wound area is very warm to touch
  • You have blood, pus, or other fluid coming from the wound area
  • You have a fever higher than 101.5° F (38.6° C), or if you are pregnant, a fever higher than 100° F (37.8° C)
  • You have chills or muscle aches

Ask your healthcare provider about any medicine, treatment, or information that you do not understand.