Burns are skin
injuries caused by either ultraviolet light
radiation (sunlight, other sources
of ultraviolet light), thermal
agents (flames, hot liquids, hot
objects, hot gasses), electricity
(voltage exposure), and chemicals
(acids and alkalis). A burn
injury of the skin causes protein denaturation, wound edema, and loss
of tissue fluids due to increased
vascular permeability. Depending on
the severity of the burn,
complications can include skin
infection, systemic infection, fluid
and electrolyte loss, and shock.
All are complications that pose a
legitimate threat to one's life.
Most minor burns,
such as contact burns and scalds,
occur in the home and are often
caused by household accidents, like
a sudden a exposure to a hot liquid (i.e.
boiling water) or hot stove.
Outside of the home, sunburn is the
most common minor burn.
Sunburn occurs from prolonged
exposure to sunlight and can be
easily prevented by the topical
application of sunscreens.
Burn
classifications are dependant upon the
severity of damage to skin.
The three categories of burns are:
-
First-degree or
superficial burns (affects
only the outermost layer of the
skin)
-
Second-degree or
partial thickness burns
(affects the underlying skin
layers, dermis, sweat glands, and
hair follicles)
-
Third-degree or
full-thickness burns (affects
all layers of skin and possibly
underlying tissues such as nerves,
fat tissue, and muscle).
According to the
National Institute of General
Medical Sciences (NIGMS), a
department of the National
Institutes of Health; (1)
-
An estimated 1.1
million burn injuries require
medical attention each year in the
United States
-
Approximately
10,000 people in the United States
die every year due to burn-related
infections
-
Twenty years ago,
burns covering 50 percent of the
body were routinely fatal; today,
patients with burns covering 90
percent of the body can survive
(but often with permanent
impairments).
Each category of burn
exhibits its own unique symptoms and
serves as a guide for assessment and
treatment. Symptoms vary by
individual and may include the
following:
First degree burns
-
Affects the
outermost layer of the skin
-
Redness
-
Swelling
-
Sensitive to the
touch
-
Surface blanches to
light pressure
-
Medical assistance
is usually not required, unless
the burn covers more than 5
percent of the body surface.
Second degree
burns
-
Affects the
underlying skin layers (dermis,
sweat glands, and hair follicles)
-
Redness
-
Blistering
-
Pain
-
Surface blanches to
light pressure
-
Medical assistance
may be required.
Third degree burns
-
Affects all layers
of skin and possibly underlying
tissues (nerves, fat tissue, and
muscle)
-
Skin may look red,
white or yellowish, or leathery
and black
-
Little or no pain
(nerve endings have been damaged)
-
May take months to
heal
-
Causes Scarring
-
Greater possibility
of complications including skin
infection, systemic infection,
fluid and electrolyte loss, and
shock, which can pose a threat to
life.
-
Skin grafts may be
necessary
-
Urgent medical
assistance is required.
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