Severe Burn Patients More Likely to Suffer Heart Complications

Every one of us has suffered a burn from time to time. Mostly the type is of the first degree that just causes redness of the skin. Second degree burns will cause a blister and may require a little more attention, but will likely be recovered from soon unless they are all over the body. Third degree burns, however, will require special medical attention and will usually be treated in specialized medical centers. Third degree burns destroy the nerve endings on the skin so they may not actually be painful.

Severe burn patients were known to have a high rate of fatalities. Doctors have not known exactly why this is the case though. A study conducted on 189 children at the Shriner Children's Hospitals showed that only one-fifth of the patients admitted for treatment of severe burns retained normal heart function. 80% had the function of the organ responsible for pumping blood impaired in some way and other critical systems of the body were also shown to be affected negatively by this type of injury.

The reasons for this happen to do with the increased demands placed on the various systems of the body after a person suffers a severe burn. Fat stores are used up at a much higher rate, and the increased stress on the heart and liver causes longer healing times for wounds and making people who suffer from third degree burns far more vulnerable to infections.

The findings of the study conducted at the Shriner's Children's Hospitals will impact how the injury is treated. In the future not only should doctors monitor for possible problems with the heart, but according to Marc Jeschke, the leader researcher medical professionals should also monitor inflammatory response, insulin resistance, hypermetabolism, catabolism, and heart problems.

While minor third degree burns covering less than 10 percent of the body of a child or 15 percent of the body of an adult, severe ones will require hospitalization. The patient may be placed in a special room which contains high pressure oxygen. The damaged skin may be removed surgically and antibiotic ointments will be placed on the affected areas and removed regularly by medical professionals. If the lungs were touched a breathing tube may be inserted, and if the shots of the person suffering from the burns are not up to date, they may be administered as well, particularly a tetanus booster.

Third degree burn treatment often requires skin graft. It is not because the skin itself is damage or that the nerve endings are destroyed, but because the body as part of the healing process will cause a skin tissue known as an "eschar" to form. An Eschar is simply a thick scab that makes it difficult for blood to flow to the affected regions. Doctors will often remove the eschar and place a skin graft over the burned area to allow better blood flow to it.

The likelihood of receiving a third degree burn is small but should one happen to you or someone else the first step will be to call 911. If burned on clothing is stuck to the skin do not remove it, and according to the PSU medical center's website you should dip the affected area very briefly in cold water. Hopefully, if there are any flames you have had the presence of mind to put them out before starting first aid. The above information applies to third degree burns not caused by chemicals. If a severe burn has a chemical cause the clothing should be removed and the affected areas washed thoroughly for 15 to 30 minutes. The treatment afterwards however is much the same.

Sources:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6959080.stm

http://www.faqs.org/health/Sick-V1/Burns-and-Scalds.html

http://www.hmc.psu.edu/healthinfo/b/burns3.htm