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Burns
Introduction:
Burns can happen when the skin is exposed to heat (from fire or hotliquids), electricity, corrosive chemicals, or radiation (UV rays from thesun or tanning beds, or radiation treatments). Burns are classified asfollows, according to the severity of tissue damage:
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First-degree burns -- affect only the outer layer of the skin(epidermis), causing pain and redness
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Second-degree burns -- extend to the second layer of the skin (thedermis), causing pain, redness, and blisters that may ooze
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Third-degree burns -- involve both layers of the skin and may alsodamage the underlying bones, muscles, and tendons. The burn siteappears pale, charred, or leathery. There is generally no pain in thearea because the nerve endings are destroyed.Between 1 - 2 million Americans seek medical attention for burns eachyear. Most burns occur at home, at work, or are part of an injury from amotor vehicle accident. Between 50,000 - 70,000 people are hospitalizedfor burns every year in the United States, 30 - 40% of whom are childrenyounger than 15 years of age. Most burns in children come from scaldingliquids. All burns -- even minor ones -- may cause complications if notproperly treated. Skin is the body's natural barrier to infection, and burnsdestroy that protection. People who are burned are very prone todeveloping infections, so treatment usually involves preventing or treatinginfections.
Signs and Symptoms:
Signs and symptoms of burns are different depending on how severe theburn is (as described above). Your doctor will evaluate the extent of theburn (the amount of skin or body surface area that the burn covers) toassess the risk for such complications as infection, dehydration, anddisfigurement.
Infection
People who get burned are very prone to infection. It can be hard to tell if a minor burn is infected because the skin surrounding a burn is usuallyred and may become warm to the touch -- both of which are also signs of infection. Any change in the appearance of a burn, or in the way that theperson feels, should be brought to the attention of a doctor. Potentialsigns of infection include:
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Change in color of the burnt area or surrounding skin
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Purplish discoloration, particularly if swelling is also present
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Change in thickness of the burn (the burn suddenly extends deep intothe skin)
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Greenish discharge or pus
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Fever
Dehydration
In severe or widespread burns, fluid is lost through the skin, and theperson can become dehydrated. Dehydration can lead to life-threateningshock. A doctor will treat dehydration with intravenous (IV) fluids.Potential signs of dehydration include:
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Thirst
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Lightheadedness or dizziness, particularly when moving from sitting orlying position to standing
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Weakness
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Dry skin
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Urinating less often than usual
Burn Patterns
Burns have typical and atypical patterns. Typical patterns result fromaccidental burns while atypical patterns may be a sign of physical abuse.Typical burns (from spilling hot liquid, for example) tend to occur inexposed areas such as the arms, face, and neck. Atypical burns mayoccur in unexposed areas such as the buttocks. Burns involving entirehands and feet are also not typical, nor are third-degree burns involving avery small, focused area (resembling, for example, a cigarette).
Causes:
Burns are caused by exposure to thermal (heat), electrical, radiation, orchemical sources. Thermal burns occur when hot metals, scalding liquids,steam, or flames come in contact with the skin. Exposure to electricalcurrent causes electrical burns, and contact with caustic chemicals causeschemical burns. Prolonged exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays or toother sources of radiation (such as from tanning booths) can also causeburns.
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| Upload Date: | 07/27/2009 |
| Copyright: | Attribution Non-commercial |
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