Every year, around 175,000 people visit hospital accident and emergency departments for burn injuries, while 16,100 are admitted to hospital.

The severity of a burn depends on how deeply it has affected the skin tissue. There are three types of burns:

• superficial
• partial-thickness
• full thickness

Burns are caused by:

• fire
• steam or hot fluids
• the sun
• heated objects
• extreme cold
• electricity
• chemicals

Access Legal from Shoosmiths has successfully acted for many individuals who have suffered burn injuries through faulty products such as exploding coffee machines, curling tongs, oil burners and numerous hair and beauty products.

If you have sustained a superficial or minor partial-thickness burn, this can be treated at home. Apply cool water for 10 to 30 minutes or until the pain is relieved. Ointments or creams may help superficial burns like sunburn. Do not burst blisters that form on your burn.  Covering a partial-thickness burn with kitchen cling film may reduce pain and speed healing.

If you've suffered severe burn injuries over large areas of your body with partial and full thickness burns, you should be admitted to hospital for treatment. It's likely your damaged skin will require dressings. 

It's possible you may be referred to a specialist burns unit. Full thickness burns tend to result in scarring, which can be difficult to treat. If skin grafts are required, the procedure will be performed by a consultant plastic surgeon. 

For advice, please call us on 03700 868686.

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