Itching

As skin heals from a burn injury, it may get itchy. This may be on or around the burn injury site or, if you have had a skin-graft, around the graft and donor sites. Itching is a common symptom and can be bothersome. Although no single treatment works for everyone, there are several different treatments that you can try,  including creams and lotions, certain bathing techniques, and medications you can take by mouth or put onto the skin.

Learn about different treatments for itching at:
www.msktc.org/burn/factsheets/Itchy-Skin-After-Burn-Injury.

Pain

Pain from healing skin and graft and donor areas is common in the early rehabilitation phase of recovery. Pain can limit your ability to work and concentrate. As pain subsides and you no longer need pain medication, you will be able to return to work.

Rarely do medications take away all the pain. You may need to use other techniques to help manage your pain, such as relaxation, yoga, deep breathing, and pacing of activities. Talk to your health provider about these methods if medication is not enough to give you relief.

If you are having trouble sleeping because of pain, talk with your physician about safe medications for sleep.

Learn more about managing your pain at:
www.msktc.org/burn/factsheets/Managing-Pain-After-Burn-Injury.

Fatigue and Physical Stamina

Fatigue, the feeling of physical weakness, is common when healing from a major burn injury. It may take a while to build up your stamina (endurance) enough to be able to return to work. Getting back to your pre-injury routine is a good first step in increasing your physical activity. This can be done by doing chores around the house before going back to work.  Gradually increasing your physical activity and exercise will reduce fatigue and help in your overall recovery.

Make sure to follow any specific instructions for exercise to improve your joint range of motion. These will also help you recover and build up stamina.