Q. I’ve recently been discharged from the hospital.  When will my energy level return to normal?
A. It’s normal to feel tired and weak after a burn.  Depending on the amount of skin that was affected, it may take several weeks to months until your energy level returns to normal. Many people are anxious to return to a “normal” life once they are at home but find they are not quite as tolerant to activity as before.  Remember that your body is very metabolically active as it continues to heal. This process goes on even after all the skin is technically healed and there are no more open areas. You may find it helpful to eat a well-balanced diet, with emphasis on high protein foods. It is also a good idea to let your body rest, so napping is a good idea.  Try to be patient with yourself, and give yourself permission to allow family and friends to continue to care for you.

Q. Will my burn scars ever disappear?
A. There is a wide variety in how burn scars will look once they become fully mature, which generally takes 12 to 24 months after the burn. Some people have scars that are almost normal in the colour, texture, and feel of the skin. Their scars are flat, soft and smooth.  Others go through a time where their scars become red, perhaps raised with some ridges appearing, and the skin feels very thick and is not mobile.  This is called hypertrophic scarring.  During this time, the skin will greatly benefit from using lotions to moisturize the skin, wearing pressure garments to slow the blood flow under the skin’s surface, and moving all your joints as best you can.  Even if the scars look quite red and rigid for a time, they will eventually start to flatten out, get smoother, and become less red in colour.  The majority of burn scars do not totally disappear but fade to be less obvious than when they are in the healing stage.

Q. Why do I need to keep wearing the pressure garments?
A. Pressure garments are the best way to treat burn scars.  They are used as long as your scars are active, and this can be from 12 to 24 months after the burn. There are a few different providers of these garments, so your therapist may refer to them as Jobst garments, or Bio-Concepts garments. The tight fitting spandex garments are usually custom-made to fit the body like a second skin. They provide pressure which in turn slows the flow of blood in the superficial skin, which can help to limit the amount of scar the body can produce. Usually on the face, a Uvex mask (a hard, clear plastic mask) is made to make sure pressure is placed on all concave skin surfaces.  Other scars may benefit from a silicone gel sheet (brands are Cica-Care or Mepiform) which adheres to the skin and also softens it to lessens\ the scar’s appearance. Your doctor or therapist will decide which treatment is right for you.

Q. I feel self-conscious when people stare at me in public. Why do they have to keep staring at me?
A. Staring can be very annoying as it makes you feel a greater sense of awareness about how you look.  It may be helpful to remind yourself that people do not stare because they are trying to make you feel bad; rather, people look because they are curious. If you can try to feel more comfortable about how you look, you will be able to stop the staring much easier. It may be helpful to simply smile at the person staring, or give them a nod of your head. Most people will either look away, feeling ashamed of being caught staring, or they may smile back and ask you what happened. Have a short answer ready, like “I was in an accident, but I’m doing okay now. Thanks for asking.” This type of response will usually stop any further questions, as it is friendly but closes the conversation.  It will also leave you feeling better about yourself.  In treating the person staring with courtesy, you are also treating yourself with respect.

Q. Is there anything I can do to stop the itching?
A. Itching can be a problem for many survivors at various stages of skin healing.  It may help to remind yourself that itching is a sign of healing. It is not good to scratch the newly healed areas, as this could lead to opening up the skin. Gentle patting may give you some relief. Also, most people find that wearing the pressure garments helps. Itching is also caused by dryness of the skin, as the oil glands may not be providing oils to the scars. Using a hypo-allergenic, non-scented moisturizing cream or lotion regularly will also help. If itching is a big problem in that it prevents sleeping or distracts you from daily tasks, ask your doctor about an anti-histamine. These can be very helpful in stopping the itch. 

Q. Will my donor sites look normal again?
A. The donor sites are the areas of non-burned skin that were used to provide healthy skin to cover the burns. They are usually on the thighs. Donor sites can be more painful than the actual burn in the 10 to 14 days after the skin was taken. They generally heal in that 10 to 14 day period, then take another 4 to 6 months to heal completely. In most patients, the donor sites fade away and are barely visible after this period.