Over the past few years, a number of products have had battery explosions, from hoverboards and phones to e-cigarettes. Battery University notes that when lithium-ion batteries short, they create a persistent current that can lead to a flaming event that may be difficult to stop.
StatPearls explains the results of a flash and flame burn wound.
Categories of burn wounds
First-degree burns are superficial and do not affect the nerve endings in the skin. They typically heal in five days or less. Second-degree burns may be shallow and affect the superficial partial thickness, which only partially damages nerves. However, the irritated nerve endings can cause significant pain.
The deeper second-degree burns may damage the skin appendages that perform functions such as sensation and temperature regulation. Deep partial-thickness burns may take up to five weeks to heal and cause considerable scarring. They may not be as painful as a superficial burn because of the more severe damage to the nerves.
Third-degree burns often need surgical intervention as they destroy all the layers of the skin. Fourth-degree burns may also destroy muscle tissue and bone. Some fourth-degree burns require amputation.
Treatment of burn wounds
The goal of any burn treatment is to prevent infection and fluid loss while allowing for the removal of dead tissues. Surgical removal of dead tissue is generally necessary for deep partial and full-thickness burns. Surgery also speeds the healing process and decreases infection risk. While burns are healing, a person may need a skin substitute to cover the wound until the area is ready for skin grafts.
Depending on where the burn is and how much scarring occurs, the wound may cause permanent disfigurement. Damages in a personal injury lawsuit often include compensation for the emotional trauma that accompanies disfigurement.
