Fourth Degree BurnsFourth degree burns are extremely serious injuries, as they result in not only the skin being burned, but also damage to the muscles, tendons, and ligaments underneath. In many cases, this type of burn can be fatal, as there is usually a great deal of damage that has to be done to the body in order for it to reach this stage. The hypodermis will be completely burned away or, at the very least, extremely charred. This can lead to another related condition called compartment syndrome, which comes with a very high chance of needing amputation. In some cases, compartment syndrome can also be fatal, so even if the patient survives the initial burn, there is still cause for alarm. People who survive fourth degree burns are left very scarred and might need amputations anyway, even if compartment syndrome does not occur. Another thing to remember is that this severity of burn usually requires skin grafting, as the skin is completely burned away from the body. Fourth degree burns are often reported after a person has been hit by lightning or has been electrocuted in another manner. Many people do not even know that this type of burn exists because in most cases, it is completely fatal. Those who are lucky enough to survive have a very lengthy recovery process that is life altering, so say the least. In addition, unlike other types of burns, there is very little that aloe vera can do in this initial stage because a skin graft will be necessary. The thing about these burns is that since they destroy all of the nerve endings in the area, they are not as painful as other types of burns. In fact, you might not feel a thing in the area that has been damaged this severely. This is not a good thing, however, as you will never regain sensation in that area again. In addition, if compartment syndrome occurs, you could lose even more sensation in surrounding areas. Things like metal fires can also cause fourth degree scalds because once that metal is heated up to the point where it begins to melt, it is hot enough to melt the skin and muscle tissue right off your body. Fourth degree burns are a terrible experience because they do such a high amount of damage to peoples' bodies. If you suffer from one of these burns, chances are you will not survive, especially if the burn is a large one. If you are able to survive, the amount of damage is substantial, but it is possible to recover after a lengthy process. The best thing to do is make sure that you are careful around large electrical centers and metal fires, so that you can avoid being a victim of a very serious burn. Top Go from this Fourth Degree Burns page to the Burns and Sunburn's page. Sunburn Magazine's Home |
