Question 1

What is Severe Burns?

Accepted Answer

Severe burns are serious tissue injuries that damage multiple layers of skin and underlying structures. They are caused by thermal exposure, chemicals, electricity, or radiation that destroys skin barriers leading to massive fluid shifts, protein loss, and metabolic stress. The Albumin blood test is the most important test for monitoring burn recovery because it measures protein depletion and guides nutritional support.

Question 2

What causes severe burns?

Accepted Answer

Severe burns are caused by prolonged exposure to extreme heat sources like fire or hot liquids, contact with chemicals like acids or alkalis, electrical current passing through the body, or intense radiation exposure. When the heat or damaging agent overwhelms the skin's protective capacity, it destroys multiple tissue layers including the epidermis, dermis, and sometimes deeper structures like fat, muscle, and bone. The severity depends on the temperature or intensity of the source, duration of contact, and the total body surface area affected.

Question 3

What is the best test for severe burns?

Accepted Answer

The Albumin blood test is the most important test for managing severe burns because it directly measures the protein loss that occurs when damaged skin can no longer hold fluids and proteins in the bloodstream. Severe burns cause albumin to leak through compromised skin barriers, leading to dangerously low blood levels that affect wound healing, immune function, and fluid balance. Monitoring albumin levels helps doctors determine if you need additional nutritional support, adjust fluid replacement therapy, and track your overall recovery progress. While burns themselves are diagnosed through visual examination, albumin testing is essential for preventing life-threatening complications during the critical recovery period.

Question 4

When should I get tested for severe burns?

Accepted Answer

You should get tested if you have sustained a significant burn injury that requires hospitalization or ongoing medical care. Testing is particularly important if your burn covers a large body surface area, involves the face, hands, feet, or joints, appears deep with white or charred tissue, or if you are experiencing signs of complications like extreme weakness, confusion, decreased urination, or swelling. Albumin and other blood tests should be performed shortly after the burn injury and repeated regularly throughout your recovery to monitor protein levels, fluid balance, and organ function.

Question 5

What are the symptoms of severe burns?

Accepted Answer

Severe burns cause deep tissue damage with white, brown, or charred-looking skin that may appear leathery or waxy. You might experience intense pain initially, though very deep burns can damage nerves and feel surprisingly painless. Other symptoms include blistering, swelling extending beyond the burned area, fluid loss leading to shock symptoms like rapid heartbeat and dizziness, difficulty breathing if airways are affected, and systemic signs like fever, chills, and weakness as your body responds to the massive injury.

Question 6

Who is at risk for severe burns?

Accepted Answer

People at highest risk include children and elderly individuals who have thinner skin and slower reaction times, workers in industries involving hot materials, chemicals, or electricity, individuals with reduced sensation from diabetes or neuropathy who may not notice heat quickly enough, people with mobility limitations who cannot escape dangerous situations rapidly, and those who work with flammable materials or open flames. Home accidents involving cooking, hot water, electrical outlets, and house fires account for many severe burn cases, while industrial and chemical burns are more common in workplace settings.

Question 7

What happens if severe burns are left untreated?

Accepted Answer

Untreated severe burns can lead to life-threatening complications including severe dehydration and shock from massive fluid loss, overwhelming infections as bacteria invade through damaged skin barriers, sepsis when infection spreads throughout the bloodstream, acute kidney failure from low blood volume and toxic byproducts, respiratory failure if airways swell or lungs are damaged by smoke, permanent scarring and contractures that limit joint movement, and even death in cases involving large body surface areas. Severe protein and albumin loss without replacement can impair wound healing and immune function, making recovery impossible without medical intervention.

Question 8

Can severe burns be diagnosed with a blood test?

Accepted Answer

No, severe burns cannot be diagnosed with a blood test because they are diagnosed through visual examination of the injured tissue, assessment of burn depth and extent, and evaluation of which body structures are affected. However, blood tests are absolutely critical for managing severe burns once diagnosed. The Albumin test measures protein loss through damaged skin, helping doctors guide nutritional support and fluid replacement. Additional blood tests monitor electrolyte imbalances, kidney function, infection markers, and overall metabolic status to prevent complications and track recovery progress throughout the healing process.

Question 9

How are severe burns treated?

Accepted Answer

Severe burns require immediate emergency care and hospitalization for comprehensive treatment. Initial management focuses on fluid resuscitation through intravenous lines to replace massive fluid losses and prevent shock, pain management with strong medications, wound cleaning and debridement to remove dead tissue, and application of specialized burn dressings. Treatment continues with nutritional support including high-protein diets or tube feeding to replace lost albumin and proteins, antibiotics to prevent or treat infections, skin grafting procedures to cover large burn areas, physical therapy to prevent contractures and maintain joint function, and long-term rehabilitation for scar management and functional recovery.

Question 10

How can I prevent severe burns?

Accepted Answer

You can prevent severe burns by installing and maintaining smoke detectors in your home, setting water heater temperatures below 120 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent scalding, keeping pot handles turned inward while cooking and using back burners when possible, storing chemicals and flammable materials safely away from heat sources, using caution with electrical outlets and cords, wearing protective equipment when working with hot materials or chemicals, keeping fire extinguishers accessible and knowing how to use them, supervising children closely around hot surfaces and liquids, and having an escape plan for house fires. These simple precautions can dramatically reduce your risk of experiencing a severe burn injury.

Question 11

What can I do at home for severe burns?

Accepted Answer

For minor burns, you can cool the area with running cool water for 10-20 minutes, cover with a sterile bandage, and take over-the-counter pain relievers, but severe burns require immediate emergency medical attention and should never be treated at home. Once you are under medical care and discharged, home management focuses on following your doctor's wound care instructions exactly, maintaining adequate protein intake through your diet to support healing and albumin levels, staying well-hydrated, taking prescribed medications as directed, attending all follow-up appointments for blood work monitoring, performing recommended physical therapy exercises to prevent stiffness, and watching for signs of infection like increased redness, warmth, or unusual drainage that require immediate medical evaluation.

Question 12

How’s this work?

Accepted Answer

Getting your blood test with us is easy, private & backed by the power of science.Long story short:
            
                In the test options, use the filters or search box to narrow your choices and find the test you want.
                If you need a hand navigating through options, text our super friendly support team at 754-799-7833, and we'll provide tailored suggestions to help you find the ideal test.
                Once your order is placed, we’ll create your doctor’s lab order remotely, without any need for you to make a trip to a doctor in person or to talk to the doctor. Expect to receive your doctor’s lab order right in your inbox. It will also be in your patient portal if you need to find it later. We’ll also include instructions regarding fasting and other requirements for your test. Your patient portal will be auto-created hassle-free during checkout.
                If this is your first time ordering, you'll be prompted to create a password for instant login access to your patient portal. It's a quick way to conveniently access your orders and results whenever you want.
                When you’re ready, visit one of our 4,000 locations. Just bring your ID – no printing or faxing of your lab order is needed, as your order and details will already be in the lab system.
                Note that most lab locations don’t accept walk-ins, so it’s best to book an appointment in advance. Don’t worry – we’ll provide detailed instructions along the way.
                You’ll get your results via email & SMS and dive into understanding your body better. Yup, that easy!
                If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com and we'll gladly help you.

Question 13

How do I know which test to get?

Accepted Answer

In the test options, find the test you want.
            If you’re not sure which test to get, we can lend a hand in finding the right option.
            Just text or call us at 754-799-7833, email us at support@privatemdlabs.com, and we'll gladly help you. We've got your back and reply quickly.

Question 14

When will my lab results be available?

Accepted Answer

Most test results will be available within 1–3 business days. Once they're ready, we'll send an email and text message to let you know.
            After your blood draw, just hang tight and don't worry – we'll keep you updated and in the loop!
            If you have any further questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com, and we'll gladly help you.

Question 15

Is it possible to make changes to my lab order if I made a mistake with the name, date of birth, or any other details?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! We totally understand that errors can happen. No worries, we're here to help you.
            Just reach out to us via text at 754-799-7833 or shoot us an email at
            support@privatemdlabs.com. Remember to include your order number and let us know the correct information you’d like to update.
            Our awesome team will jump right in and make sure everything is sorted out and accurate for you.
            There are no changes necessary if your address is wrong on the requisition though. We don’t mail anything out.
            Our lab requires an address to be listed to generate an order.

Question 16

Do you accept health insurance?

Accepted Answer

Only HSA & FSA is accepted.
            Our services are strictly self-pay and cannot be submitted to your health insurance provider except for Health Savings Accounts or Flexible Savings Accounts.
            This policy applies to all insurance companies, including federal health insurance programs like Medicare.
            If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com.

Question 17

Can I cancel my order?

Accepted Answer

Yes.
            We get it – sometimes your needs change.
            As long as your samples haven’t been collected yet, we’re happy to help you cancel your order.
            If you have any further questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com.
            You can read more about our cancellation policy here.

Question 18

How can I find a lab location near me?

Accepted Answer

During the ordering process, you’ll be able to select a specific lab near you, with no strings attached!
            You can switch it up later easily and visit any of our authorized locations as long as it’s the same lab company you selected your test for (Quest Diagnostics or Labcorp).
            Before you proceed with your order, feel free to browse through all our lab locations here. This will give you the peace of mind of knowing that there's a lab nearby your home, office or your favorite gym.
            If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com and we'll gladly help you.

Severe Burns Blood Test

What is Severe Burns?

What causes severe burns?

What is the best test for severe burns?

When should I get tested for severe burns?

References

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