Third degree burns over 80%of body...

[Dawn C.]

We have a family member that was burned in small explosion 3 weeks ago. She has made it 3 weeks but things are very touch and go from day to dy.She is burned over 80% of her body. The doctors have been very direct with our family and we all know things aren't good.

Have any of you treated a patient with third degree burns over 80% of the body? If so what was the outcome?

She has severe facial burns? Are there any treatments to minimize the damage to the facial area?

Any advice is appreciated.

[babybluefeather]

First let me say I am so sorry your family has to go through this, it is a terrible thing. There are so many things that factor in to someone surviving such a big burn, age is a big factor, previous health history and then of course present burn care. I have had several burn patients with greater than 80% take a long time to recover but did recover, same true with a lot less percentage that sometimes don't recover. It really has to do with those things I mentioned. Even when things look the bleakest (even to a nurse) a burn patient can recover. Let me know if there are specific questions you may have.

[Pedi-Gree, BSN, RN]

I'm very sorry this has happened to your loved one. That is a significant injury she has, as you already know. It's beyond the scope of this site to provide medical advice, but I believe you're seeking reassurance and support more than anything. I have cared for a child with extensive burns, in the area of 75%, and she was very sick for several weeks before she started to recover. She too had terrible burns to her face, and after many surgical procedures, she looks pretty good. Someone burned that badly, like your family member, will be in the care of a highly specialized burn unit and they will be using all the tools God and man have given them to make her outcome the best it can be. Pray for her and follow the strictest isolation techniques. The rest is out of your hands.