A Painful Winter Break
On the first day after arriving in Australia for Christmas vacation, a University of Niagara student plays out in the sun for six hours. Later that night he notices that the skin on his trunk, legs and arms becomes red, swollen and extremely painful. By morning all of the afflicted areas have developed numerous blisters. These areas cover about 30% of the trunk (front and back) and 40% of the arms and legs.
1. What organ has been damaged?
2. What general types of tissue have been afflicted?
3. What type of burn has the student received? Explain.
4. What type of radiation has caused the burn?
5. List ALL the layers of the skin that have been damaged?
6. List ALL layers that have been killed?
7. What tissue repair process causes the blistering?
8. Why is this type of burn so painful?
A burn is considered critical and should receive prompt medical attention if:
> 25% of the body is covered by 2nd degree burns
or
> 10% of the body is covered by 3rd degree burns
9. What percentage of the total body surface has been burned?
Show your calculations!
10. Is the burn critical? Should the student seek medical attention?
11. List all of the body functions that may be disrupted by such a burn.
Recovery
12. After a few days the skin peels and the burned areas begin to heal. The student
notices that the healing areas are more susceptible to injuries due to chafing or trauma.
What has happened to the skin that would cause this increased susceptibility?
During the next week after the student returns to the States, his friend tells him that
a sunburn prepares his skin for a deep tan. His friend encourages him to quickly begin
tanning sessions at a local tanning salon before the effects of the burn wear off.
13. What would you advise him to do? Why?
14. Is a deep tan a sign of skin that is healthy or severely stressed? Explain your answer.
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