ABSTRACT
Burns per se refers to both total/partial absences of skin and sequel following repair functions of the skin. Heat, radiation, radioactivity, electricity, chemicals, and smoke inhalation can produce burn injury to the skin and respiratory tract. Post burns sequel includes loss of hair, loss of the nail, depigmentation of skin, hypertrophic scar, keloid formation, contracture, and deformities, for example, ectropion of the eyelid, flexion contracture in the neck. It also includes loss of pinna of the ear, scar in the sclera, conjunctiva, cornea and loss of vision, deformity, scar in the face, microstomia, scarring or loss of breast, scar or loss of genitals. It further, includes axillary scars, contracture of the joints in the extremities, deformity, amputations, and disfigurement. Disfigurement, impairment of structure and impairment of function serve as variables to define the impairment. Because of the impairment of functions and structure, there may be a limitation of activities, participation restriction and environmental barriers, fear of rejection by the society and inadequate behavioural adaptation, sometimes with suicidal tendencies.
