Return to graphic version of Understanding Burn Injury Infocomic.
Logo for B M S; Burn Model System; Advancing Recovery Through Knowledge.
Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center (MSKTC.org; S C I, T B I, BURN.)
In the first frame of the infocomic, Eric stands in front of the group and says, “Hi everyone. I would like you to meet Doctor Maria Mendez, an expert in burn care. She is here today to help us understand burn injury.”
Dr. Mendez stands in front of the group and says, “Hello! It’s nice to meet you! I would like to hear your story. How did your burn injury happen?”
Three people answer Dr. Mendez. A mother sitting with her child says, “My daughter had boiling water spilled on her.” A man with bandaged hands says, “I survived a house fire.” Another man says, “I got a grease burn at the restaurant where I work.”
Dr. Mendez addresses the group again. “Thank you for sharing. One thing you may have noticed is that burns can happen in many ways. Common causes include fire, hot liquids, or grease.”
Dr. Mendez says, “There are four degrees of burn injury.” An illustration shows four layers in a cross section of human tissue: Epidermis is the top layer of skin with hair; Derma is the next layer down; Fat is below the derma; and Muscle is below the skin layers.
Dr. Mendez says, “Now, I’m going to talk to you about nutrition, infections, skin grafts, and mental health.”
A round platter is shown, loaded with bread and grains, fruits and vegetables, and cheese and nuts.
Hands are shown under running water with soap bubbles.
A person’s forearm is being wrapped with a gauze bandage.
A person’s lower leg is shown with a compression sock that has an opening for the toes.
A man is kneeling down. He is pulling off a bandage on his lower leg and looking at the wound.
A doctor sits with a burn patient and puts a bandage on the site of a skin graft on the man’s upper arm. She says, “The donor site will heal on its own since only a thin layer was removed.”
A patient sits with a mental health professional as she takes notes.
Dr. Mendez explains the treatment options for burn patients. “Though most patients do much of their rehab at home, some may need to go to a treatment center for rehab. Rehab uses different kinds of therapy such as routine stretching, exercise, positioning aids and splints.”
Dr. Mendez asks, “Does anyone have questions?” A child raises her hand and asks, “Can you burn your lungs?”
Dr. Mendez replies, “Yes, you can. When you breathe in smoke or toxic gas, you may get an inhalation injury.”
Three frames of the infocomic show thick black smoke, a man on a ventilator in a hospital bed, and a bandaged man walking with a cane outside in a park with an aide helping him.
A man in the support group stands up and asks, “What are some common symptoms of burn injury?” Dr. Mendez replies, “Burn recovery is different for each person. This means that the symptoms of burns also may vary for each person.”
Four frames of the infocomic illustrate the four symptoms described. A man is shown wincing as he holds his scarred upper arm. A woman is shown with her head on her crossed arms at her computer station. A man is shown scratching his arm. Finally, another man waves a fan, trying to cool his sweaty face.
Q R code to access M S K T C’s Living With Burn Injury (BURN) website.
Dr. Mendez sits at an M S K T C information table and says, “There are many resources from your burn center and from the Burn Model System that can help you with your concerns and questions.”