Burn wound infection, hand burns, second degree (2nd) burns

Seven year old David had a minor burn over the middle finger while bursting crackers. A few blisters and some reddening of his skin did not worry his mom  who applied a local antibiotic cream and literally forgot about it. A few days later David developed fever and severe pain in the hand. It was then that they visited their doctor who told them that David had a burn wound infection. Luckily for David the infection was still localized to the hand. He was  admitted to the hospital and treated with intravenous antibiotics. A culture swab from the wound showed that the offending organism was Pseudomonas Aeruginosa. David went back to school after three weeks vowing never to play with firecrackers.

Minor burns can end in serious complication  if unattended in a proper manner. Often superficial burns end up as deep burns in course of time if neglected. As with any other wound a number of factors besides infection can also affect the burn wound  this
http://asktheburnsurgeon.blogspot.in/2010/04/part-ii-wound-healing-why-wounds-fail.html

asktheburnsurgeon+

Doc, what is skin grafting ? - part II (pictures, photos, pre and post, before and after, of 3rd, third degree contact burns treated by skin grafting +)

Dear Doc,

my son had burns on the sole of his feet from stepping on hot burning coal after our barbeque party. My doctor treated him for 2 weeks but the burns are not healing. He feels that this is a 3rd (third) degree burn that may need skin grafting. Am worried about this surgery. I have read in detail about the surgery on the internet but I will be really glad and grateful if you could put up some pictures to show how it is really done. Is it a painful procedure, how long does the donor site take to heal?... please do reply and thanks...Shirley p,   Philippines

Dear Shirley,

Thank you for the letter, am sorry to hear your son had a burn injury. You must read this post:

 http://asktheburnsurgeon.blogspot.in/2013/10/what-is-skin-grafting-hot-oil-burns.html 

before you proceed to see the pictures put up . The pictures are self explanatory.

                                       1. thigh prepared for a split thickness skin graft

                             2. the start of a skin graft take with a humby knife ++

 

                              3. thigh donor site after a split thickness graft is taken +

            4. third degree contact burn wound 

        on the foot prepared for skin grafting+ +

                       5. skin graft being applied on a  deep contact burn- foot +

Hope this was helpful,
with best wishes,
asktheburnsurgeon+