ETIOLOGY OF BURNS

Burns are injuries of skin or other tissue caused by:

1. 2. 3. 4. Thermal Radiation Chemical Electrical

Burns are classified by depth and percentage of total body surface area involved.

Etiology - Thermal burns

1.Thermal burns May result from any external heat source (flame, hot liquids, hot solid objects, or, occasionally, steam) Tissue injury, usually of the skin

Etiology - Radiation burns

2. Radiation burns most commonly result from prolonged exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation may result from prolonged or intense exposure to other sources of ultraviolet radiation or from exposure to sources of x-ray or other non solar radiation example:
- sunburn caused by UV radiation - High exposure to X-rays during diagnostic medical imaging or radiotherapy

Etiology - Chemical burns

3. Chemical burns living tissue is exposed to a corrosive substance such as a strong acid or base may result from strong acids, strong alkalis
- example: lye, cement

phosphorus, and certain petroleum products

- example : gasoline, paint thinner

Skin and deeper tissue necrosis caused by these agents may progress over several hours.

 Chemical burns may:

need no source of heat occur immediately on contact be extremely painful not be immediately evident or noticeable diffuse into tissue and damage structures under skin without immediately apparent damage to skin surface

Etiology - Electrical burns

4. Electrical burns Result from heat generation and electroporation of cell membranes associated with massive current of electrons. As the body comes into contact with an electrical source, it becomes part of the electrical current. electricity passing through the body causing rapid injury

 Electrical burns may cause extensive deep tissue damage to electrically conductive tissues, such as muscles and nerves, despite minimal apparent cutaneous injury. Electrical burns are difficult to accurately diagnose
only the entry and exit wounds are visible and the internal damage is not