Page 19 - Masala Lite Issue 169 January 2025

Burn survivors want to be treated

How does your organization support burn survivors in their recovery and
reintegration journey? like anyone else. They don’t want
On the medical side, the foundation focuses on improving the quality of life for burn
survivors. There are two sides to this. First, we provide financial support to survivors pity or special treatment - they
to give them access to treatment. We do this by collaborating with organisations
in India that run surgical camps, sponsoring their efforts. These camps provide just want normalcy.
treatments like skin grafts and other reconstructive procedures for individuals who
cannot afford them. The second is raising awareness of what burns are so that society
becomes more comfortable with it.

What role does mental health support play in a burn survivor’s recovery process?
Mental health is extremely important for everyone. Burn survivors face additional
obstacles like stares or inappropriate comments, which can affect their self-esteem.
Furthermore, relationships can also be tricky, including dating and marriage. Burn
survivors struggle with confidence and may face rejection due to their appearance.
This is an area where mental health professionals can offer crucial support, helping
survivors navigate these challenges and adapt to life with burns.
For me, having my accident at an early age meant I did not remember the incident,
so I did not have to deal with PTSD. But for those burned later in life, the adjustment
is much harder because they must cope with the loss of their pre-burn identity.
I’m grateful to have very supportive parents and two wonderful sisters. I also adore
my childhood friends. Anytime I have odd, weird questions, I’m very lucky I can reach
out to them. I think it’s crucial to have a support system that you can fall back on.
The ones you can turn to, for crises of any kind.
Can you tell us about the science of treating burn scars?
When an individual sustains a major burn, it is crucial to seek immediate care at a
hospital with an experienced burn unit. The initial hours and days are critical for
ensuring proper treatment and minimizing complications.
• There are a variety of treatments available, and each scar is unique, requiring a
customized approach.
• While there is no formula to completely heal scars yet, various treatments can
significantly improve their appearance and functionality.
• An experienced reconstructive surgeon is the best person to create an individualized
treatment plan.
While there is no single “magic bullet” to completely heal scars, research in the field
• These can involve skin grafting or other scar revision techniques to improve skin of tissue engineering offers hope for new advancements in scar healing and skin
functionality and aesthetics by transferring skin from one area of the body to regeneration.
another.
For more information on how to
• After surgery, laser treatments and fat grafting can be used to enhance the skin’s support burn survivors, email us at :
healing process. admin@ananfoundation.com
• Finally, some people prefer using specially designed makeup products to conceal or visit our website at www.ananfoundation.com
scars.

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