Burn

The incidence of burn injuries had been declining during the past several decades.
Approximately 2 million people require medical attention for burn injury. Young children
and elderly people are at particularly high risk for burn injury. The skin in people in these
two age groups is thin and fragile; therefore, even a limited period of contact with a
source of heat can create a full thickness of burn.

Most injuries occur in the home, usually in the kitchen while cooking and in the
bathroom by means of scalds or improper use of electrical appliances around water
sources. Careless cooking is the one of the leading cause of fires in all over the world.

Burn Prevention Tips

• Keep matches and lighters out of reach of the children

• Never leave unattended around fire or in bathroom/bathtub
• Install and maintain smoke detectors in the home
• Develop and practice and practice home exit fire drill
• Set the water heater temperature no higher than 120F
• Do not smoke in bed. Do not fall asleep while smoking
• Do not throw flammable liquids on to an already burning fire
• Do not use flammable liquids to start fires
• Do not remove radiator cap from a hot engine
• Watch for overhead electrical wires and underground wires when working outside
• Never store flammable liquids near a fire source, such as a pilot light
• Use caution while cooking
• Keep a working fire extinguisher in your home
Characteristics of Burn According to Depth

Burn and Skin Symptoms Wound Recuperative

causes involvement appearance course
Superficial Epidermis; Tingling Reddened; Complete
Partial possibly a Hyperesthia blanches recovery within
Thickness (1st portion of Pain that is w/pressure dry a week, no
degree burn) dermis soothed by Minimal or no scarring
cooling edema Peeling
Possible blisters
Deep Partial Epidermis; Pain Blistered; Recovery in 2
Thickness (2nd upper dermis’ Hyperesthia mottled red to 4 weeks
degree burn) portion of Sensitive to base; broken Some scarring
deeper dermis cold air epidermis; and
weeping depigmentation
surface contractures
Edema Infection my
convert it to full
thickness

Full Thickness Epidermis; Pain free Dry; pale white Eschar sloughs
(3rd degree entire dermis, Shock leathery, or Grafting
burn) and sometimes Hematuria charred Scarring and
subcutaneous (blood in the Broken skin loss of contour
tissue; may urine)and with fat and fxn;
involve possibly exposed contractures
connective hemolysis Edema Loss of digits
tissue, muscle, (blood cell or extremity
and bone destruction) possible
Possibly
entrance and
exit wounds
(electrical burn)
Local and Systemic Response to Burns

• Burns that do not exceed 25% TBSA produce a primarily local response
• Burns that exceed 25% TBSA may produce both a local and systemic
response and are considered major burn injuries

Cardiovascular Response

• Hypovolemia is tha immediate consequence of fluid loss resulting in

decreased perfusion and oxygen delivery
• Cardiac output decrease before any significant change in blood volume is
evident
• The greatest volume of fluid leak occurs in the first 24-36 hours after the burn,
peaking by 6-8 hours

Burn Edema

• Edema maximal after 24 hours

• It begins to resolve 1-2 days post burs and usually is completely resolved in 7-
10 days post injury
• Edema increase in circumferential burns, pressure on small blood vessels and
nerve in distal extremities cause and obstruction of blood flow and consequent
ischemia

Effects on Fluids and Electrolytes and Blood Volume

• Evaporative fluid loss through the burn wound may reach 3 to 5 L or more
over a 24 hour period until the burn surfaces are covered
• Hyponatremia is most common during the first week of the acute phase, as
water shifts from the interstitial to the vascular space
• Immediately after burn injury, hyperkalemia (excessive potassium) results
from massive cell destruction. Hypokelamia (potassium depletion) may occur
later with fluid shifts from the interstitial to the vascular space
 Pulmonary Response

• Inhalation, bronchoconstriction caused by release of histamine, serotonin and

thrombaxane a powerfull vasoconstrictor, as well as chest constriction secondary o
circumferential full thickness chest burns caused this deteoriation
• Pulmonary, upper airway injury results from direct heat or edema, manifested
by mechanical obstruction of the upper airway
• Carbon monoxide, the pathophysiologic effects due to tissue hypoxia, a result
of carbon monoxide combining with hemoglobin to form carboxyhemoglobin,
which competes with oxygene for available hemoglobin binding sites

Other Systemic Response

• Renal fxn may be altered as a result of decreased blood volume, destruction of

red blood cells at the injury site results in free hemoglobin in the urine
• Significant impairment of the production and release of granulocytes and
macrophages from bone marrow after burn injury. The resulting immunosup
resion places the burn patient at high risk of sepsis
• Loss of skin also results in an ability to regulate body temperature. Burn
patients may therefore exhibits low body temp. in the early hours after injury
• Two potential gastrointestinal complications may occur, paralytic ileus and
Curling ulcer, gastric distention and nausea my lead to vomiting unless gastric
decompression is initiated.
 Phases of Burn Care

Phase Duration Priorities

Emergent or immediate From onset of injury to • First aid
resuscitative completion of fluid • Prevention of shock
resuscitation • Prevention of
respiratory distress
• Detection and tx of
comcominant injuries
• Wound assessment and
initial care
Acute From beginning of diuresis • Wound care and
to near completion of closure
wound care • Prevention or tx of
complication, including
of infection
• Nutritional support
Rehabilitation From major wound closure • Prevention of scars
to return to individuals and contractures
optimal level of physical • Physical,
and psychosial adjustment occupational, and
cosmetic reconstruction
• Psychosocial
counselling

Emergency Procedure at the Burn scene

• Extinguish the flames

• Cool the burn
• Remove restricted objects
• Cover the wound
• Irrigate chemical burns
Emergency Medical Management

• Transport to the nearest emergency department

• Priorities the airway, breathing, and circulation
• Administer humidification, bronchodilator, mucolytic agents
• Continuous + airway pressure and mechanical ventilation may also be required to
achieve adequate oxygenation
• Asses for cervical spinal injuries
• Asses for burn and wound
• Insert IVP and NGT, and suction the pt. to prevent vomiting
• Practice aseptic technique to prevent infection
• Asses for TBSA
• Fluid replacement
• Asses for Acute Respiratory and Renal Failure
• Transfer to a burn center
• Management of fluid loss and shock

Acute or Intermediate Phase of Burn Care

Infection prevention

• Phase occur 48-72 hours after burn injury

• Asses for electrolytes imbalance, and gastrointestinal fxn
• Infection prevention wound cleaning, topical antibacterial therapy, wound dressing,
wound debridement, and wound grafting
• Pain management and nutritional support
• Asses for airway obstruction caused by upper airway edema
• Asses for capillaries integrity
• Monitor fever for the signs of infection
• Monitor for infection like staphylococcus, proteus, pseudomonas,
Escherichia coli, kliebsuella, candida albicans,

Wound Cleaning
• Hydrotherapy
• Use tap water
• Tub baths
Topical Antibacterial Therapy

• Silver sulfadiazine (silvadene)

• Mafenide acetate (sulfamylon)
• Silver nitrate
• Acticoat

Wound Dressing

• 1st topical agent is applied then covered by a several layers of dressing

• A light dressing is also applied areas for which a splint has been designed to
conform to the body contour the proper positioning

Dressing Change

• Dressings are changed in the pt. units hydrotherapy room, or tx approximately 20

min after and analgesics agent administered
• They may also changed in the OR after the pt. administered anesthesia

Wound Debridement

• To remove tissue contaminated by bacteria and foreign bodies, thereby protecting

the pt. from invasion of bacteria
• To remove devitalized tissue or burn eschar in preparation for grafting and wound
healing
• Natural debridement
• Mechanical debridement
• Surgical debridement