As previously mentioned, in the cases of Charlene Pretorius, Asiphe Cetwayo and Angela Koopman, burn victims fall into a particular category due to the malice involved and the potential permanence and long-term effects of the damage sustained after a burning attack. To put their attacks into perspective, Action Society spoke to experts to understand what happens when someone is set alight.
Burns are classified into different types based on their severity and the layer of skin or tissue they damage. There are three main types of burns: first-degree, second-degree, and third-degree burns. There’s also a less common type called fourth-degree burns.
First-degree burns:
Damage sustained from first-degree burns affects only the epidermis or the outer layer of the skin. Sunburns usually cause these. However, contact with objects like a hot curling iron or a cooking pan can also cause first-degree burns. Unlike second or third-degree burns, which are more severe, first-degree burns only involve the top layer of the skin. This type of burn will appear as dry and red and will typically not blister. While first-degree burns are very painful, they should heal on their own within two to five days with no permanent scarring.
Second-degree burns:
Second-degree burns, or partial-thickness burns, only damage two layers of skin: the epidermis and the dermis (a connective tissue layer sandwiched between the epidermis and subcutaneous tissue). Areas affected by second-degree burns are red, blistered, and swollen. Blisters may form, and the area can be wet or moist due to fluid leakage from the damaged tissue. Second-degree burns do not require grafting or surgery but can result in permanent scarring. These burns are usually caused by scalding (from hot liquids or steam), direct exposure to flames or hot objects such as a stove or a curling iron.
Third-degree burns:
Third degree burns, or full-thickness burns, damages all layers of the victim’s skin, including the epidermis, dermis, and the hypodermis. These burns are usually caused by long exposure to fire directly on the victim’s skin. Oddly enough, the burned area may not hurt immediately due to the immediate destruction of nerve endings in the skin. This is one of the hallmark features of third-degree burns. However, pain can still be felt around the burn area in less severe, adjacent skin. If the burn is severe enough (covering a large area of the body), the person can go into hypovolemic shock due to significant fluid loss. Symptoms of shock include low blood pressure, rapid heart rate, confusion, dizziness, and cold, clammy skin. The risk of infection with such burns is very high. The skin is the body’s primary barrier against infections. When it’s severely burned, there’s a high risk of infection from bacteria entering through the open skin. This can lead to fever, chills, and other systemic signs of infection.
The person’s emotional state and quality of life can change significantly after a third-degree burn, depending on the extent of the burn, the success of medical treatments, and the individual’s ability to cope with the long-term physical and emotional recovery.
Recovery from third-degree burns can take months or even years, with ongoing treatment for both the body and the mind.
Experienced firefighters say that cerebrospinal fluid burns up in a musky, sweet perfume. Burning skin has a charcoal like smell, while setting hair on fire produces a sulphurous odour.
Some of these burns are so deep they damage muscle, tissue and even bone. Third-degree burns are life-threatening and require immediate, intrusive surgery and skin grafting for the victim to survive. If the tissue and muscle are too deeply damaged or it becomes infected, amputation of the injured limb is a last, desperate solution to save the victim. Permanent damage and scarring are inevitable.
One of Action Society’s aims is to ensure justice for the victims of violent crimes and to help the families of those victims get closure. But, above all else, we want to create a South Africa where violence against the vulnerable is not the norm and our loved ones are safe.
Of course, being burned in an accident is much different than being set alight on purpose. Burn victims like these have a whole other set of trauma to deal with.
