Treatment for Severe Burns

Burns can be extremely painful and treatment methods for them can depend on several factors (cause, location, size).  Please remember that this information provided only to educate injured workers and is not medical advice.                                                                                      

Treatment for Third Degree Burns

(Source: www.urmc.rochester.edu)

• Intravenous (IV) fluids containing electrolytes
• Intravenous (IV) or oral antibiotics if your child develops an infection
• Antibiotic ointments or creams
• A warm, humid environment for the burn
• Nutritional supplements and a high-protein diet
• Pain medications
• Skin grafting (may be required to achieve closure of the wounded area)
• Functional and cosmetic reconstruction
• Tetanus shot

What is a skin graft?

A skin graft is a piece of healthy skin which is surgically removed to cover a burned area. Skin grafts can be thin or thick. Skin grafts are performed in the operating room. The burn that is covered with a skin graft is called a graft site.                                              

What is a donor site?

The area where the piece of healthy skin was taken to be donated to a burned area is called a donor site. After a skin graft procedure, the donor sites look like a scraped or skinned knee. Your doctor will decide if a skin graft is needed. A skin graft is often performed after debridement or removal of the dead skin and tissue.

Graft site care

A dressing is left on the graft site for two to five days before it is changed, so that the new skin will stay in place. For the first several days, graft sites need to be kept very still and protected from rubbing or pressure.

Donor site care

The donor site is covered for the first one to two weeks. The site needs to be kept covered. Donor sites usually heal in 10 to 14 days. If a dressing is applied, it usually remains on until it comes off by itself. Lotion is applied to the donor site after the dressing comes off. This skin often flakes off and looks dry.

Workers’ Compensation Claims in Virginia for Severe Burns

The workers compensation system in Virginia is complicated and seeking advice from an experienced Virginia workers’ compensation attorney may make a world of difference.