New guy here. I hope you are all healing well. I just wondered if anyone can offer any insight on the healing of varying thickness neck skin grafts. Specifically, how long do you have to keep stretching them - is contracture a lifelong issue? I was burned in a mini explosion but the polyester fleece I was wearing caught fire and that is what caused my neck burns to require grafts. My face, ears and nose healed pretty well by themselves. The surgeons did fantastic work. I am at 11 months now since the incident and I still have to stretch the grafts several times a day. Strangely, I notice the contraction most when I am walking through a shop. It feels as if I have a big piece of cold stiff rubber glued to my neck pulling down and it can affect my speech. I don’t feel self-conscious or worried about what my neck looks like, I think it is my upright posture at these times and turning my head to look at things. The grafts start at my chin along my jawline to behind my ear and then down to my chest. It’s a little more than 50% of the front of my neck on the right side. There are a couple of cords that have formed. I have pretty good mobility and I have been in a good frame of mind since the accident because I realised how much worse it might have been if I hadn’t been able to dive into a pond to put the fire out. Consequently I have felt extremely lucky in the circumstances. The stretching and tightness is getting me down a bit now though, although I do think it may be easing up a little. Has anyone been through this before? Your thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks. ☺️ 

Hi everyone, I recently had an
accident with a hot water bottle 
and have scalded my face, neck, 
chest and breasts. My burns are
2nd degree and blistered, so I am 
trying to prevent scaring and 
pigmentation changes. 
Can you advise the best SPF for
 sun protection, that will not cause 
irritation to my face. 
I also need a foundation that I can apply 
over this, that also has SPF protection. 
I am so worried that the sun will make the
pigmentation of the healed red areas permanent.
Also, if you have any advice on what I can use 
on the other areas to prevent scaring, your input 
would be very much appreciated. Thank you  

Thank you

Ellie 

I got 2nd degree partial thickness burns on my lower right leg from a hot water bottle that burst.  After initial assessment and dressing change I was rushed back to hospital with nausea, and leg swelling 3 days after injury, A&E Dr said possible blood clot (doppler showed all clear) or infection.  When I was moved to another department I was told it was neither just fluid buildup from the injury no anti biotics given.  Has this been other people's experience also.  I either elevate or move as much as possible and presently my swelling is getting worse.  Any advice greatfully received 

Around halloween time in 2019 I was making fangs in preperation for a Halloween party. (I'm big on Halloween and cosplay/dressing up, i make a lot of my own costumes) I was using thermoplastic , which I've used many times before. It requires freshly boiled water to melt. Anyways I boiled the kettle and poured the water into a mug, and for some stupid, stupid reason decided I'd do it on the sofa as opposed to the floor or my desk where I normally would do it. I sat and had the mug between my legs. I was watching TV and talking to my partner and not paying attention. I went to dip the thermoplastic in, and somehow I knocked the mug. The contents covered my lap, and ran underneath me, scalding my entire genital region and inner thighs. I remember screaming and panicking and my husband reacted so quickly and ran cold water into a bath, shoving me in it. I remember sobbing and not wanting to get out of the water. Every second it felt like someone had a lit match underneath me. I passed out in the tub from shock and my husband was told that it would be 3 hours before an ambulance would be called out. So he ended up taking me to A&E in his car. I remember begging the nurses for some pain relief. I was given morphine, sent home for the night -- because my local hospital (its a BIG hospital!) Didn't have the right facilities for burns (how bad is that?) So the next day I had to go to A hospital in Essex, 2 hours from me, and was kept in for 5 nights. I was told that the only thing that stopped me needing a skin graft was my husbands quick thinking in putting me in water. The burns were 2nd degree. Because of where they were, It took slightly longer to heal and I took a month off work on bedrest (i am a teacher). I was violently sick in hospital from oral morphine , after that I refused it and just made do on paracetamol. The dressings were near impossible to do myself and felt like I was wearing a nappy. However I was very lucky that I retained feeling "down there". 

After a month I went back to work and just went on as usual. I have minimal scarring luckily. I was offered counselling but didn't think I'd need it. Fast forward to almost 2 years later and I was doing a refresher paediatric first aid course for work. The woman starts talking about burns (specifically, scalds) and shows us an example picture. My throat starts to feel like its closing up and that I might cry. I have a panic attack and have to leave the room. I feel like an idiot. Then, after that, I'm watching my husband pour a cup of tea and I remember seeing the steam when I instantly start crying and I can't control it. Shaking and everything. I think I might be having PTSD symptoms, but It's been 3 years? And they started out of nowwhere after me being fine ? I know i didnt deal with the psychological side of my burns as i was focused on physical healing and getting back to work. Is this a thing ? The event was very, very traumatic for me and now I'm struggling to be in the presence of steam or boiled water without instantly remember EXACTLY what the burning feeling felt like. 

There is a therapist in my area who people say is really good. Do you think it's worth seeing her and explaining how I'm feeling.

I'd love to know your thoughts and if anyone has had a similar experience, especially if it was in such a tender area. 

Sorry for the essay! And thank you for reading my story :)

-Zelda 

Hi, 

Im not sure I'm in the right place but thought I would reach out. 

My 6 year old son, fell onto a wood burning stove 4 weeks this Saturday he has burns to his hands, arms and chest he has already under gone skin grafts for his wrist and elbow. He has been remarkably strong.  He struggles with dressing changes, i suppose that leads to my first question is there any hints or tips that would help him through these? Also since his accident, he has now became a great sleeper, he also gets very tired during the day after short activities and at times can become very pale/grey in colour, cold but sweaty is this normal?.

Sorry for all the questions and thank you in advance.