#HEALTH: Moving beyond the burn

NO other injury causes as much pain and disfigurement as burns.

The road to recovery can be a long and challenging one, but with the right treatment and support, it is possible for burn victims to recover and reintegrate into society.

In Malaysia, the most common type of burn injuries are household burns, says Pantai Hospital Melaka consultant plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr Lee Shi Zhen.

This includes scalding accidents involving hot water or oil, hot surfaces, or thermal burns involving flames. Electrical burns are also common.

Chemical burns involving acid or alkaline, or radiation burns are more likely to occur in an industrial setting.

Burn injuries are categorised using two criteria — the depth of the injury and the surface area of the injury.

"First and second degree burns are usually superficial injuries while third and fourth degree ones are deeper injuries."

For surface area, any burn injury that covers 15 per cent or more of the human body is considered a major burn in adults, says Dr Lee.

For children, anything 10 per cent or more is a serious burn injury.

When a burn happens, time is of the essence.

"It is very important that no one panic and don't assume you can treat it yourself."

TAKE RIGHT ACTION

One of the common mistakes people make is to use home remedies, adds Dr Lee.

This includes applying certain ointments, using toothpaste, or even applying ice or flour on the injury. This causes a waste of precious time, says Dr Lee.

"Acting quickly can make a difference when a burn occurs. Cool the affected area under running tap water for about 20 minutes and seek medical attention promptly."

Most people underestimate the severity of a burn, he adds and they show up late for treatment.

"Burn injuries can be very traumatising so during treatment, every effort is made to minimise pain for patients," he says.

It's crucial to prevent wounds from becoming infected so proper dressing is important.

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Conditions such as diabetes or heart problems can compound the complications of a burn so patients with such conditions must be closely supervised.

For patients with deep burns, skin graft surgery, a type of reconstructive plastic surgery may be needed.

After initial treatment, scarring is another challenge that patients have to face, but today, laser treatment is among the options available to help patients regain a sense of normalcy.

Beyond appearance, some injuries may affect their ability to walk or move, especially if it involves the joints, says Dr Lee, while burns on the face can impact blinking.

"Patients may suffer stigma due to their appearance and may not be confident enough to go about their daily lives."

Support from family and friends can make a difference. Dr Lee says the goal is not only to make their appearance as normal as possible, but also to ensure their functionality is not impacted.

"We want them to slip back into society as well as possible. They may look a bit different, but significantly better."