The Social Worker is usually involved in the initial assessment of this possibility. The parents of a child who has just been burnt are in a state of emotional turmoil. Explanations must therefore be kept clear and simple, and will probably need to be repeated several times in the following days. The weekly meeting of the Unit also helps dissipate the large amount of stress which is placed on members of the Unit, chiefly Nursing Staff, by emotional stresses of the family. All scar tissue contracts.
Many patients require long term management with physiotherapy and sometimes surgery.
In severe burns this may extend over many years. This tendency varies from individual to individual. Continuous surface compression of the scar lessens the amount of hypertrophy and helps to control itching. The most effective means of applying compression is by use of 2 way stretch garments custom made for the individual patient. An accurate but complex system of measurement is used and this must be done by an experienced person.