Dear Dr Sue:

I have been very worried. My friend's little brother is in hospital with a burn. He was only playing with a neighbour and the thinner caught fire and he became badly burnt! I have heard that he cannot breathe! But this doesn't make sense! We are all so worried and surely he should have been better already, it's been over two weeks!

DA

Dear DA:

First, let me begin by saying I am sorry to hear about the suffering of your friend. The fact that two weeks have passed and he still remains gravely ill means that he is still not off the danger list yet and will have a difficult recovery period!

His dreadful accident underscores the many hidden dangers that lie around us in the home everyday. Solvents such as thinner, kerosene, gasoline and mentholated spirits are in many homes and are extremely flammable and should never be used to light a fire or be exposed to a naked flame as they may cause severe burns. Gasoline and the thinner can also cause inhalation injuries as the victim inhales the hot gases and may cause severe burns to the airway! This will often complicate the recovery of the victim and require specialised Intensive Care treatment in order to keep him alive.

Burns that affect the airway also usually affect the face, hands and upper body and can be quite disfiguring. The first task of his doctors will be to heal his wounds and then he will require a series of operations to improve his scars as best as possible! Don't be fooled however, he will still have some disfigurement and will need all the support and love of his family and friends to overcome his disability!

Flame burns are not the only danger in the home! Very often chemicals such as caustic soda, bleach and Jeyes are placed in cupboards that are in easy reach of particularly small children! Sometimes these chemicals are also placed in soda bottles and the children think it is safe! Please, if you know that your parents have such chemicals around the house, show them this article or bring up the discussion so these chemicals are placed in areas where young children are not able to access them! Most times those that come to the hospital have severe burns to their oesophagus from inadvertently drinking the harsh chemicals! They end up having many operations to try and keep their oesophagus open.

The best way to deal with this problem is prevention, the cure is just too painful.

Keep in touch with your little friend. He needs all the support he can get.

Yours
Dr Sue

Trousers in Denim

Cream of the 'Crop'

Cheeky's World