Burns A burn is a type of injury to flesh caused by heat, electricity, chemicals, light, radiation or friction.

. Most burns only affect the skin (epidermal tissue and dermis). Rarely, deeper tissues, such as muscle, bone, and blood vessels can also be injured. Damage to the skin or other body parts caused by extreme heat, flame, contact with heated objects, or chemicals. Causes of Burns Chemicals- strong acids or bases Ex. sodium hydroxide, sulfuric acid Electrical- electric shock or an uncontrolled short circuit Radiation- UV light, tanning booths, X-rays Scalding-hot liquids or gases exposure to high temperature tap water in baths Signs and Symptoms of Burns Local burn pain Reddening skin Skin blistering Skin peeling Symptoms of severe burns: Burn pain Open wounds Skin loss Fluid loss Classification of Burns Burns can be classified by mechanism of injury, depth, extent and associated injuries and comorbidities. Depth- 1st degree, 2nd degree, 3rd degree 4th degree First Degree Burns First degree burn is superficial and causes local inflammation of the skin. Sunburns often are categorized as first degree burns. The inflammation is characterized by pain, redness, and a mild amount of swelling. The skin may be very tender to touch. The epidermis is affected, it looks red (erythema). Texture is dry and it feels painful but it only takes 1 week or less to heal and there are no complications. Second Degree Burn Second degree burns are deeper and in addition to the pain, redness and inflammation, there is also blistering of the skin.

Skin with a second-degree burn is extremely red and blistered, and may look wet because of fluid loss. Its is classified into two: superficial partial thickness and deep partial thickness Second degree (superficial partial thickness) affects into superficial (papillary) dermis. It looks red with clear blister, blanches with pressure. Its painful and moist and it heals 2-3 weeks of time. It has complications of local infection or cellulitis. Cellulitis is a diffuse inflammation[1] of connective tissue with severe inflammation of dermal and subcutaneous layers of the skin. Second degree (deep partial thickness) extends into deep (reticular) dermis. It looks red-and-white with bloody blisters and less blanching. It is painful moist and it heals week and may procede to 3rd degree. It has many complications like scarring and contractures may require excision and skin grafting. The word grafting can refer to a surgical procedure to transplant tissue.

Third Degree Burn Third-degree burns affect the epidermis, dermis and hypodermis, causing charring of skin or a translucent white color, with coagulated vessels visible just below the skin surface. These burn areas may be numb, but the person may complain of pain. Third degree (full thickness) extends through entire dermis. It looks stiff, white and brown, it feels painless, dry and leathery. It requires excision and complications like Scarring, contractures, amputation (the removal of a body extremity by trauma or surgery ) Fourth Degree Burn Fourth degre extends through skin, subcutaneous tissue and into underlying muscle and bone. It looks charred with eschar. It feels dry, Painless. It Requires excision Amputation. Its complication is significant functional impairment. First Aid for Minor Burns After a major burn.. Check the persons airway breathing circulation Appropriate interventions should be initiated to stabilise these. Once the injured person is stabilised, attention is turned to the care of the burn wound itself. Until then, it is advisable to cover the burn wound with a clean and dry sheet or dressing. Early cooling reduces burn depth and pain, but care must be taken as uncontrolled cooling can result in hypothermia. After doing so call the doctor or send help. Diagnosis of Burns

Wound care- dressing and cleansing Antibiotics Analgesics Surgery Alternative treatments

More tips on First Aid STAY SAFE! Do not let the rescuer get burned trying to save the victim. Follow universal precautions and wear personal protective equipment if you have it. Treating a burn begins with stopping the burning process. Cool the burned area with cool running water for several minutes. If an ambulance is coming, continue running water over the burned area until the ambulance arrives. Look for blistering, sloughing, or charred (blackened) skin. Blistering or sloughing (skin coming off) means the top layer of skin is completely damaged and complications are likely. Charring indicates even deeper damage to all three layers of skin If the damaged area is bigger than one entire arm or the whole abdomen, call 117 or take the victim to the emergency department immediately. Victims with burns to the following areas need emergency medical assistance face hands feet genitalia Cool water (not cold or warm) may also help with pain. DO NOT APPLY BUTTER OR OIL TO ANY BURN! Over the counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can be used for the pain of a mild burn If stronger pain relief is needed, contact a physician or go to the emergency department. Expectations After Burns Following a major burn injury, heart rate and peripheral vascular resistance increase. Initially cardiac output decreases. At approximately 24 hours after burn injuries, cardiac output returns to normal if adequate fluid resuscitation has been given. Following this, cardiac output increases to meet the hypermetabolic needs of the body.