Aftereffects of Trauma

Discomfort, changed appearance and other issues can linger after the wounds are healed

Finding meaning in tragedy

Rachael Magner’s world turned upside down one night when hot oil from a deep fryer spilled over her back, chest, arms and legs. Now in her senior year at Lafayette College, the 21-year-old is planning a career counseling burn victims. Learn more about Magner’s difficult journey by clicking here.

Beyond the Burn

This hands-on workshop helps burn and trauma survivors recover physically and emotionally by introducing them to services such as scar treatments, camouflage makeup, prosthetics, yoga and massage.

$50 refundable deposit
Fri.-Sun., Oct. 20-22

Sigrid Blome-Eberwein, M.D., surgeon and burn specialist and many other professionals

Space limited—for hours, location and details, call 610-402-CARE.

People who’ve suffered a serious burn or traumatic accident know that the pain—both physical and emotional — can continue long after the treatment is over. Physically, there’s the matter of coping with scarring.

“Scar tissue doesn’t have the same structure as normal skin, so it looks and functions differently,” says Sigrid Blome-Eberwein, M.D., plastic and reconstructive surgeon and burn specialist at Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network. “It can become numb, itchy or rigid, squeezing joints and muscles. Scar tissue has no hair or oil glands, making it very dry.”

A variety of therapies—including scar-smoothing microdermabrasion and laser treatments—helps survivors manage their scar-related symptoms. Relaxation therapy and Reiki massage can ease discomfort. Burn specialists can improve a patient’s appearance with techniques like camouflage makeup, prosthetics and hair implants.

Emotionally, burn and trauma survivors often struggle with isolation, says Blome-Eberwein’s colleague, social worker Liz Dideon. “Recovery is a very long process that can take a toll on relationships. But it also can be a time of personal growth and strengthened family bonds.”

Burn camps and school re-entry programs can ease the transition for children, and counseling can help couples and individuals of all ages. “Support groups are one of the best ways to move from victim to survivor,” Dideon says.

“People often feel abandoned once their wounds heal,” Blome-Eberwein says. “But there are many ways we can help them return to a healthy life.”

Want to Know More about coping with tragedy? See at right. Or about the services of The Phoenix Society for burn survivors? Click above.

ARTICLE TOOLS: