Caused by dry or moist heat. There are four classes: (a) first degree characterized by redness of the skin, (b) second degree characterized by blistered skin, (c) third degree characterized by destruction of the outer layer of the skin, and (d) fourth degree characterized by destruction of all layers of the skin.
An injury to skin and tissue caused by light, heat, radiation, electricity or chemicals.
Damage to skin caused by heating above 120°F, which may be caused by heat, hot water, fire, chemicals, electricity, or gases. With their tender skin, children (along with the elderly) are the most vulnerable to burns, most of which occur in the home and are preventable. Though fires are the largest and best-known cause of burns, many burns are caused by simply having the hot-water heater set too high, when children are placed in exceedingly hot water (by mistake or through child abuse and neglect) or accidentally turn on the hot water them-selves.
Tissue injury resulting from exposure to excessive sun, heat, radiation (e.g., overexposure to X rays or radioactive elements), a caustic, or electricity. Tissue changes include reddening and pain (first degree), blistering (second degree), and destruction of tissue (third degree). Treatment involves alleviation of pain, careful cleaning of injuries, prevention of infection, maintenance of normal fluid and electrolyte balances in the body, care of wounds, and, in cases of severe bum, prevention or care of shock. In severe bums skin grafts and plastic surgery may be necessary.
Tissue damage caused by such agents as heat, chemicals, electricity, sunlight, or nuclear radiation. A first-degree bum affects only the outer, layer (epidermis) of the skin. In a second-degree bum both the epidermis and the underlying dermis are damaged. A third-degree bum involves damage or destruction of the skin to its full depth and damage to the tissues beneath. Bums cause swelling and blistering, due to loss of plasma from damaged blood vessels. In serious bums, affecting 15% or more of the body surface in adults ( 10% or more in children), this loss of plasma results in severe shock and requires immediate transfusion of blood or saline solution. Bums may also lead to bacterial infection, which can be prevented by administration of antibiotics. Third-degree bums may require skin grafting.
Tissue injury resulting from excessive exposure to thermal, chemical, electrical, or radioactive agents. The effects may be local, resulting in cell injury or death, or both local and systemic, involving primary shock (which occurs immediately after the injury and is rarely fatal) or secondary shock (which develops insidiously following severe burns and is often fatal). In the U.S. about 1.25 million persons receive medical care for burns annually. More than 50,000 of these bum victims are hospitalized as a result of severe burn injury.
An injury to the skin and other tissues that is caused by heat, chemicals, electricity, or radiation.
Tissue injury resulting from exposure to heat, electrical energy, chemical substances, or radiation is known as burns. The categorization of burns is based on the extent of damage inflicted on the skin and is divided into three degrees: first-degree, second-degree, and third-degree, also referred to as superficial, partial thickness, and full thickness, respectively.
An initial-degree burn induces redness in the skin and impacts solely the epidermis, which is the outermost layer of the skin. Typically, these burns exhibit prompt healing, although the affected skin may peel off within a day or two. Sunburn serves as a prevalent illustration of a first-degree burn.
A second-degree burn penetrates into the dermis, which is the deeper layer of the skin, resulting in damage and occasionally the development of blisters. Since a portion of the dermis remains to regenerate, these burns typically heal without leaving any scars, unless they are exceptionally deep.
A third-degree burn completely destroys the entire thickness of the skin and can potentially reach the muscle layer beneath the skin. The affected region appears white or charred, and in severe cases, the muscles and bones may become exposed. Even if the burn is localized, third-degree burns necessitate specialized medical care and may require skin grafts to prevent scarring.
Electrical burns have the potential to inflict significant damage to tissues, even with minimal visible harm to the external skin. The passage of electric current can also lead to heart damage, posing additional risks to the individual.
Significant first-degree burns, such as sunburns, result in discomfort, restlessness, fever, and headaches, but they do not pose a life-threatening risk. However, a second- or third-degree burn that affects more than ten percent of the body’s surface area induces shock, characterized by low blood pressure and a rapid pulse, due to substantial fluid loss from the burned region. If this fluid is not replenished intravenously, shock can be fatal.
When the skin suffers burns, its ability to shield the body against airborne bacteria contamination is compromised. Infections can occur in extensive burns and may lead to life-threatening complications if access to effective antibiotic treatment is not accessible.
Individuals who have inhaled smoke may experience lung inflammation and require specialized medical attention for burns affecting the eyes and respiratory passages.
To maintain a moist environment, a non-stick dressing is applied to cover the burn area. Analgesic medications are administered if necessary, and antibiotics are prescribed if there is any sign of infection. In the case of extensive second-degree burns, which may have a slow healing process or a high risk of infection, a topical antibacterial agent, such as silver sulfadiazine, is utilized. For third-degree burns, skin grafts are always necessary and are performed at an early stage to minimize scarring. In cases of significant burns, plastic surgery may be required.
Injuries caused by any form of dry heat, an electric current, or strong corrosive chemical whether acid or alkali. Given below are brief details of first-aid treatment for various types of large burn. Acid burns. Neutralize the acid by flooding the burn with a solution of bicarbonate of soda made up by dissolving one or two teaspoonfuls of bicarbonate of soda in a pint of clean water. Apply a clean dressing and transfer the patient to a hospital. Alkali burns. Corrosive alkalis—quicklime or caustic soda, for exampleshould be washed off the skin with large quantities of clean water. A dry dressing should be applied, and the patient should be taken to a hospital. Dry heat burns. Cover with clean dry dressing and take patient to a hospital.