BURNS

Definition: A burn is a type of injury to skin, or

other tissues, caused by heat, cold, electricity,
chemicals, friction, or radiation. Most burns are
due to heat from hot liquids (called scalding),
solids, or fire.

 Burn causes:
 Fire
 Hot liquid or steam
 Hot metal, glass or other objects
 Electrical currents
 Radiation, such as that from X-rays
 Sunlight or other sources of ultraviolet
radiation, such as a tanning bed
 Chemicals such as strong acids, lye, paint
thinner or gasoline
 Abuse
 BURN LEVELS: first-degree burns: red, nonblistered
skin
 second-degree burns: blisters and some thickening
of the skin
 third-degree burns: widespread thickness with a
white, leathery appearance
There are also fourth-degree burns. This type of burn
includes all of the symptoms of a third-degree burn and
also extends beyond the skin into tendons and bones.

FIRST DEGREE BURNS:

First-degree burns cause minimal skin damage.
They are also called “superficial burns” because
they affect the outermost layer of skin. Signs of a
first-degree burn include:
 redness
 minor inflammation, or swelling
 pain
 dry, peeling skin occurs as the burn heals
2nd DEGREE BURNS: Second-degree burns are
more serious because the damage extends
beyond the top layer of skin. This type burn
causes the skin to blister and become extremely
red and sore.

3rd DEGREE BURNS: Excluding fourth-degree

burns, third-degree burns are the most severe.
They cause the most damage, extending through
every layer of skin.
 Symptoms: waxy and white color
 char
 dark brown color
 raised and leathery texture
 blisters that do not develop
Diagnostic methods:
Examining skin. Lab tests, X-RAYS

 Treatments:
 medications, wound dressings,
 therapy and surgery,
 skin grafts to cover large wounds,
 physical therapy