In the case of severe, extensive buns, physicians may try skin grafts to cover wounds that are too wide for natural recovery. If possible, they will harvest skin from elsewhere on the person’s body, but there are also other sources of skin for grafting, including different types of artificial skin. This new skin is frequently incomplete, lacking sweat glands and other deep structures. As a rule. skin grafts and scarred skin are more fragile and sensitive then the original skin. There can also be significant problems with itching or general pain when skin grafts are used. However, itching can be a problem with burn injuries even when there has not been a skin graft.

Psychological issues: Burn survivors report that the psychological aspects of the injury can he just as significant as the physical aspects. One specialist calls a burn injury "the worst injury to the human body anyone can endure and survive.” In addition to the obvious recovery issues, individuals surviving significant burns have to deal with the death of a body image and memories of the traumatic event and painful hospital stays. Many burn victims experience posttraumatic stress syndrome (see entry on PTSD) from the original event and the catastrophic consequences. Counseling can be an important part of their recovery. Individuals with extensive scaring, especially to the hands or face may have difficulty adapting to the new body image. They may also have to deal with stares and nervous reactions from others. In some cases, the reaction of others to the individual’s appearance could become a factor in finding a job.

Possible Functional Issues