A 25-year-old woman has issued a stark warning about the dangers of using outdated hot water bottles after suffering severe burns when one burst over her. Jessica Shanks experienced excruciating pain when the hot water from the bottle, which was two years past its use-by date, scalded her legs and groin on October 12.
The incident occurred as she attempted to alleviate stomach cramps by placing the bottle between her stomach and pyjama waistband while in bed at her Corfe Mullen home in Dorset. Her partner Finley had to rush her under cold water as she passed out from the agony, leading to her mother rushing her to the local hospital.
Diagnosed with second-degree burns, Jessica was transferred to Salisbury Hospital’s burn unit for two-and-a-half weeks, undergoing surgery for skin grafts due to the severity of her injuries. Jessica, who is employed at a school for children with additional needs, recounted: “I usually use a hot water bottle to treat my stomach cramps so I placed it in between my stomach and waistband of my pyjamas. I had checked date on it and it was two years out of date.”
Despite acknowledging the risk, she said, “I know it’s so naive but I just didn’t think anything would happen. It started to trickle down my thighs from the bottom of the water bottle, and as I moved in shock, it then burst. I jumped up from bed who I was in with my partner Finley.”
Finley’s quick thinking led him to put her in the bath and shower her with cold water for 15 minutes, but Jessica fainted from the pain and shock.
Jessica’s mum urgently sought medical attention for her daughter at Poole Hospital where her treatment was swift and urgent, involving a 20-minute cold shower. Pain relief came in the form of paracetamol and morphine, while doctors also aimed to prevent infection.
Jessica recounted the ordeal: “They had to pop all the blisters which were on my stomach, both my inner thighs and groin. This was the Saturday and they said they’d make an appointment at Salisbury Burn Unit on Monday.”
The severity of her condition led to a quick escalation: “But soon the nurse who was dealing with me said they were going to admit me to Salisbury given where the injuries were. I remember having a shower with one of the nurses and my mum as I couldn’t stand and I had to have gas and air every time they changed the dressings as I was in agony. I used gas and air in the shower and one of the gauze was stuck in the wound and we had to try and peel it off.”
Opting for skin graft surgery on October 19, Jessica underwent a two-hour procedure where skin from her outer thigh was used. Post-surgery, she felt a positive change: “When I woke up in recovery after the surgery I was so much more positive as the surgery had halved the pain.”
The recovery process presented its own challenges: “It was easier to sleep in bed, it was manageable to get up and take a few steps”. Despite the improvements, there were still hardships: “But I had to be catheterised for a week and a half as I couldn’t sit on the toilet without getting the bandages wet or risk infection.”
Jessica said she was lucky since she retained sensation in her legs but admitted that the entire episode has been ‘difficult’. “I was pretty much bedbound for the whole time. I had physiotherapy every day to get me up and into the chair next to my bed. I was going a bit stir crazy from being in bed.”
Jessica said her wounds are healing well and since being discharged last week, she has been able to walk around her village for 15 minutes at a time. She is now fundraising for Salisbury burns unit who she said gave her ‘phenomenal’ care.
Jessica added: “Everyone has been so amazing and I’m so grateful as it was traumatising. It was the most painful thing I’ve ever had. It is useful because hot water bottles have the expiry on them. This one came from within the family and I never thought something like this would happen. I want to be able to say thank you and show appreciation for the amazing work they do.”