No one who has not experienced a severe burn can begin to fathom the severity of the pain involved. If kidney stones and childbirth rank a 10 on the 10 point pain scale, hydrotherapy and debridement after massive burns, and after skin grafts,  rank in the hundreds or thousands on the same scale.

There are no words to describe that pain. Only screams from the depth of the soul can express it. I know because I've been there.

In the Atlanta region, the Grady Burn Center is the place to go for expert treatment of burns.

For burn victims and their families, the road to recovery is likely to be both long and difficult.  Here are a few online resources that may be of use:

• Burn Resource Center
• Johns Hopkins Burn Center - good patient info. 
• Practical Guidelines for nutritional management of burn injury & recovery
• Burn Rehabilitation article

A high protein diet is essential in recovering from a burn injury.  An easy way to boost protein intake is to supplement meals with high protein meal bars and whey protein powder mixed into smoothies or other food can help.

Following burns and skin grafts, one typically must wear compression garments for six months to a year.  The custom-made compression garments can be terribly hot and uncomfortable, virtually intolerable in summer heat.  However,  patients sometimes come up with more comfortable options. For example, biker shorts, Coolmax running tights (available in Atlanta at Phidippides) and Under Armour Heat compression shirts (available at Dick's) may may provide the compression needed for burns on arms, legs and torso, in a manner that is more bearable in hot weather.

For some people recovering from burns, it is psychologically more positive to use protein supplements and compression garments that are designed and marketed for athletic rather than medical purposes.

Many burn survivors have very significant changes in body image and self concept, leading to understandable depression.  Burn centers have burn survivor support groups that can be invaluable to the recovery process.

Of course, I am not a doctor -- just another guy who has been there -- and cannot give medical advice. All burn victims should seek medical advice and guidance from the physicians at the burn clinic where they are treated.

Following are some resources that may be of interest to burn injury victims and their families.