Writing: Burn Injuries
You can ask the tens and thousands of writing blogs out there on how to write burns, and you’re most likely going to get a list of links – like the ones I got from Google a few minutes ago. A set of links that anyone can give you, just as long as they type ‘burn treatment’ in the Google search bar.
However, while anyone can give you millions of links on any topic you desire, it’s only the people that condense it into a written form that get the grades.
So, burn injuries and treatment. In the world that I’m in the process of creating, children grow up learning how to treat burns because dragons are the main threat and since I know nothing about burns aside from the small one I got a few months ago for touching the side of a heated metal cup, I decided to research them and post the article up for my fellow writers.
The first thing you need to know before you even think about writing burns is that there are three degrees of severity; first, second and third.
Generally, first and second degree burns are less painful, easier to manage and, if small, can be treated at home. Third degree burns ALWAYS require hospitalization, because third degree burns can damage internal organs as well.
First degree burns get inflamed and turn red, with low, throbbing pain. These burns cover anything from sunburn to brief [less than ten seconds] contact with hot objects. Treatment is running the burned area under cool water for a few minutes, or placing it in a bucket of cool water. If the burned area is significantly large [depends per site, but a large burn is typically one that is larger than ten square inches] then DO NOT apply cold water. It may cause hypothermia.
The swelling will generally go down over a week [mine went down in three days] and the pain will cease. Sometimes scars will be left, sometimes not. The pain is mangeable without the use of painkillers and is usually described as ‘throbbing’. I was able to write my exams while ignoring my burn.
There will generally not be blisters and chances of infection are nil, as there is no broken skin. Gauze or any other non-adhering wrap can be used to protect the burn from wind. DO NOT use any lotions, ointments or butter. First-aid burn gels or aloe vera may be used.
When you’re writing a character, first degree burns are what they’re going to get after trudging across a desert or touching a hot object. It won’t cause them enough pain to hinder them from day-to-day activities, but be careful. The location and size of a burn is ALWAYS important. Areas like the face and groin are much more sensitive and if the burn is large, it becomes a hazard.
Second degree burns go one level deeper – instead of just burning the epidermis, they burn through the dermis as well. These burns are characterized by large swelling and blisters. I’d suggest you Google the images, but be warned – second degree burns aren’t pretty in any sense of the word and you probably shouldn’t look it up just after eating.
Second degree burns are due to much longer contact with sources of heat and are significantly more painful. Again, run the wound under cool water if it covers a small area. Gauze to wrap around the wound is a must, because blisters mean broken skin and that can very easily get infected. Infection shows as increased pain, fever, and oozing of burned areas. Painkillers are generally a requirement.
If it doesn’t get infected, then gradually the swelling and pain will decrease. It may leave a scar. Again, depending on location and size, your character may be in severe pain.
NEVER remove clothing if stuck to the burn.
Second degree burns could be caused by severe sunburns, long contact with sources of heat, or certain chemicals. If it is a chemical burn, remove all unattached clothing that has that chemical on it and flush the wound with water to remove the chemical.
Unlike first degree burns, second degree cannot be ignored. If your character has a second degree burn, it will cause them a lot of pain, and, depending on its location, impair their ability to move.
Finally, third degree burns. These are burns that go through all layers of the skin, damaging nerves along the way. Sometimes they can even reach muscle and bone. Characterized sometimes by charred black areas, or usually by dry, leathery white areas. The skin that has been burnt will feel numb, as all nerve endings would’ve been burnt. The edges of the burn, however, will feel inflamed.
DO NOT pour cold water on third degree burns. It will cause hypothermia and shock. And, while I’m on the topic, NEVER use ice on a burn.
Third degree burns require hospitalization. If your character is far away from any source of professional medical treatment, then basic first aid – keeping the burn elevated, protecting it from wind and infection – can be performed, but it won’t be a solution.
Burn victims may also go into physiological shock. Symptoms include nausea, dizziness, unconsciousness, paleness, excessive sweating, rapid pulse and clammy skin. Elevate the burn to reduce the severity of shock.
These are all the three degrees of burns, how they’re formed, how they look and how to treat them. The last thing that you, as a writer, need to know is pain. How much the burn injuries will hurt.
Burns affect the skin and pain is localized to the areas that are burned. The deeper and larger the burn, the more it hurts. If it gets infected, it’ll hurt even more. Burn pain is usually described as a continuous burning or throbbing sensation. It will momentarily abate with the application of cool water.
Pain from burn injuries is actually the most difficult to treat as there are so many various factors to consider. Even nowadays, doctors find it difficult to prescribe painkillers, because some painkillers work against the healing. Pain differs from individual to individual, burn to burn and cannot be treated easily.
It will affect your character’s ability to sleep, their mood and their health if the pain continues for a long time.
In conclusion,
- Burns are categorized based on severity by first degree, second degree, third degree.
- First degree burns are easily treatable by running under cool water. They consist of inflamed, red skin and the pain is minimum. Formed by the sun, or short contact with hot objects.
- Second degree burns involve blisters and higher degree of inflammation. Cool water is a treatment, along with wrapping the wound in non-adhesive material to prevent infection. Pain is not ignorable. Formed by sun, long contact with hot objects or chemicals.
- Third degree burns are composed of either charred black skin or dry, leathery white areas. They require treatment by professional medical personnel. Cool water is NOT a treatment. Pain is not ignorable. Formed by long contact with heat sources or chemicals.
- Burn severity always depends on location and size, as does pain.
- Do NOT use ice, ointments, butter, egg yolk and lotions on burns. First-aid burn gel and aloe vera can be used.
- Do NOT remove clothing attached to the burn. Remove all unattached jewelry and clothing.
- The severity of pain depends on the individual and cannot be easily relieved.
- Burn victims may go into physiological shock, which can be reduced by elevating the burn.
So, if you’re thinking about burning your character, go ahead! But make sure you know what degree the burn will qualify as, and how long your character will be out of commission! If your character lives in a region where burns are common, carrying a supply of clean water, gauze and burn gel is a must. The danger of infection is always present.
Your characters can disregard or not know this information – just make sure there are consequences for their ignorance!
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