# Medical Dopers: Self-Immolation Injuries? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 1, 2006, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-dopers-self-immolation-injuries/382454 "2006-12-01T07:10:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2006, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-dopers-self-immolation-injuries/382454/1 "2006-12-01T07:10:57Z")
I should say first off that I want this information for a story. I’ve tried to get the information online, but I’m just not finding out what I need to know. What happens when a person deliberately sets himself on fire? I’m describing a man’s fantasy anyway, so I don’t need complete accuracy - but I would like to be somewhat factual. What happens first, what is usually the cause of death, that kind of thing. Sorry for the gory question. ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2006, 7:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-dopers-self-immolation-injuries/382454/2 "2006-12-01T07:51:13Z")
[QUOTE=Marley23] What happens first, what is usually the cause of death, that kind of thing. Sorry for the gory question. [/QUOTE] Burns are a special type of injury. Alot of the actual threat includes tissue destruction, shock, dehydration, and infection. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2006, 8:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-dopers-self-immolation-injuries/382454/3 "2006-12-01T08:17:45Z")
It would depend on the fuel. In burn injuries in general, people often asphyxiate on carbon monoxide. Burning can also cause severe swelling around the windpipe or severe scarring which can interfere with chest motion, so many burn victims suffocate. High temperatures can cause damage. Burning is stressful and may precipitate heart attacks or coexist with trauma, etc. In the slightly longer term, burn victims are at risk of infection, and severe dehydration. Burning can also cause blood potassium levels to skyrocket, which is hard on the heart. Self-immolation? Might be any of these things, really. > **[Emergent Management of Thermal Burns: Practice Essentials, Prehospital...](https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/769193-overview)** > > Burn care should begin at the site of injury and continue through prehospital care and transportation to the closest burn center, or to the closest emergency department (ED) with advanced life support capability, followed by transfer to a burn center... > **[Chemical Burns: Background, Pathophysiology, Etiology](https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/769336-overview)** > > Chemical burns can be caused by acids or bases that come into contact with tissue. Acids are defined as proton donors (H+), and bases are defined as proton acceptors (OH-). ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2006, 8:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-dopers-self-immolation-injuries/382454/4 "2006-12-01T08:23:40Z")
[QUOTE=Dr\_Paprika] It would depend on the fuel. [/QUOTE] The first link is pretty helpful, thank you for that. To be more specific, I’m thinking of someone who douses himself with lighter fluid or gasoline and strikes a match, and burns to death. I know there haven’t been many such cases in this country. What would happen as that continued, and what would be the likely cause of death in that case? ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2006, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-dopers-self-immolation-injuries/382454/5 "2006-12-01T14:23:23Z")
**Dr Paprika** has summarized it pretty well. Airway damage leading to asphyxiation seems a likely immediate cause of death in your scenario. Um, not my business really…but have you thought about trying a mediation service? :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2006, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-dopers-self-immolation-injuries/382454/6 "2006-12-01T19:32:51Z")
[QUOTE=Jackmannii] Um, not my business really…but have you thought about trying a mediation service? :dubious: [/QUOTE] 'Fraid I don’t get you here - but I’m not setting anyone on fire because I’m mad at them, if that’s what you mean. 😉