what happens to aperson that has just been burnt?

Question: what happens to aperson that has just been burnt?

Asked by zbarud to Chris, Emily, Martin, Natalie, Tamsin on 15 Mar 2010 in Categories: Test methods.
- Emily Cook answered on 15 Mar 2010:
  
  Burns happen when your skin touches something hot, is exposed to radiation or some chemicals.
  Burns are usually divided into three categories depending on how much of the skin they affect. Superficial burns (first degree) affect the top surface of the skin, making it red, swollen, and painful. This sort of burn can be treated at home and usually heals in between 7-10 days. Second degree burns damage the next layer of skin and this produces blisters and third degree burns completely destroy all the layers exposing the tissue underneath. This can lead to infection so must be treated seriously in a hospital.
  When you burn yourself, your body responds with the immune system. Your body sends platelets and other cells to the area which causes the redness and swelling.This also triggers the body to send more chemicals to prevent bacteria inavding the wound.
- Chris Cooper answered on 15 Mar 2010:
  
  I love this question! But I am not sure what exactly you are asking. So I will do my best anyway.
  
  If a person is burnt in a crematorium they are converted to dried bone fragments, colloquially called ash. These are then buried or scattered.
  
  If they are burnt alive (I guess we are thinking of Joan of Arc or medieval witches here) then I am no expert and you would need to look at a horror movie to see what became of them.
  
  So we are left with what I do know a bit about. If you are burnt by the sun for example the increased temperature of the skin damages proteins. This signals a pain response. But only the surface of your skin is damaged. You don’t blister. If you are burnt by a cigarette then your whole skin can be damaged. You get blisters and these are painful. If you get a much worse burn (a fire for example) then the proteins in your muscle and bone can be damaged. This can be very serious although interestingly (?) as your pain receptors are also damaged, you actually may feel less pain with these very serious burns.
  
  The treatment of burns is one area where medical science has made dramatic improvements in treatment in recent years.
  
  Let me know if I haven’t answered your question and – if you are more specific – I will have another go.
- Natalie Stanford answered on 15 Mar 2010:
  
  here is a really good video that answers your question 🙂
  http://www.videojug.com/expertanswer/fun-science-age-old-questions/what-happens-to-my-body-when-i-burn-myself
- Martin Coath answered on 16 Mar 2010:
  
  This question doesn’t belong in the Test Methods section does it? 🙂

Question: what happens to aperson that has just been burnt?

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