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Burns and Thermal InjuryOn average, two million people per year will seek medical treatment for burns in the United States. Approximately 100,000 of these victims require hospitalization, and close to 20,000 of these will die directly as a result of their burns, or from burn complications. It should be recognized that the majority of deaths from fires are due to smoke inhalation and not from the burn injury. Also see chemical burns, if applicable. Burns result as the effect of extreme heat on the skin structures. The seriousness of burns is determined by the extent of body surface involved, location (hands and face being worse), and depth. A general scale of burn severity, or depth of injury, is the "degree" system of classification. FIRST DEGREE BURNSThis refers to a superficial burn which causes redness to the skin and may cause some swelling. An example of this is sunburn or contact with hot water. First degree burns DO NOT cause scarring or blistering and may be effectively treated at home with cold wet compresses (avoid placing ice directly on burns as this can increase burn injury), burn creams, moisturizing lotions (aloe) and pain medications. Avoid spray or topical anesthetics ("caines"); they have no beneficial healing effect. Pain from burns can be decreased dramatically from application of an antibiotic ointment and a light gauze dressing. Any blistering warrants tetanus immunization if you have not been immunized in the past 5 years. SECOND DEGREE BURNSThis burn injury is deeper, no longer remaining on the surface. These burns require prompt emergency medical care. This injury extends deeper into the skin (but not completely penetrating), sometimes referred to as "partial thickness burns." COMMON SYMPTOMS include blistering, redness, and extreme pain when touched. They usually will not cause any significant scarring unless they become infected. Blisters will appear over the following 12 hours, after the burn. They should be left undisturbed unless they are very large, cloudy (indicating infection), or in an area that will likely become ruptured. Broken blisters should have the dead skin cut away (painless procedure) so infection does not set in. The burned and blistered site is then covered with an antibacterial ointment (silver sulfadiazine), then covered with a light gauze dressing. These burns should be followed up closely (within 24 hours) to fully evaluate blistering or the need for further treatment. Second degree burns to the HANDS, FEET, or GENITALS are of greater concern due to increased risk of infection and the possibility of compressive swelling that could impede blood flow to the injured area. Facial burns can involve the upper airway, leading to respiratory problems later on. These burns should always be evaluated by a physician. The calculation of the total percentage of body surface area that has been burned is paramount. Those patients with greater than 15% of body surface area burned will often be hospitalized. See a physician for all suspected second degree burns. THIRD DEGREE BURNSIn this case, the burn is a "full thickness burn", extending through all layers of the skin. This may be evident by charring at the site, and visibility of underlying muscles or bones. These burns appear as dull, white, bloodless skin. Third degree burns are often dry and painless, however, IMMEDIATE medical attention is necessary. Victims of this severity of thermal injury have a complex multi-system medical problem that requires expert care.
|  Hip Dislocation Hip Fracture Insect Stings and Spider Bites Human and Animal Bites Shoulder Injury Fracture Toxic Inhalations and Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Facial Injury Jaw Fracture and Dislocation Kidney Injury Knee Injury General Considerations Knee Injury Contusion Knee Injury Fracture Knee Injury Sprain Stab Wounds Leg Injury Fractures and Contusions Leg Injury Shin Splints Lightning Injury Oral and Tongue Injuries Nasal Fracture or Contusion Neck Injury General Considerations Neck Injury Fracture Neck Injury Spinal Cord Injury Pelvic Bone Fracture Puncture Wounds Chest Injury Rib Fracture Back Injury Sacrococcygeal Injury Scorpion Bites Abrasion Injuries Shoulder Injury Clavicle Fracture Shoulder Injury Strains and Sprains Snakebite Neck Injury Spinal Cord Injury Abdominal Injury Ruptured Spleen Foot Injury Toe Fracture and Sprain Vaginal or Vulvar Injury Drowning and Near Drowning |
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