BURNS

BY:
ABDULLAH NABEEL
 Burn

A burn is a type of injury to skin, or other tissues,

caused due to

heat, cold, electricity, chemicals, friction, or

radiation.

Most burns are due to heat from hot liquids, solids,

or fire.
 Who is at Risk

Among women in many areas of the world the risk is

related to the use of open cooking fires or unsafe
cook stoves.

Alcoholism and smoking are other risk factors.

Burns can also occur as a result of self harm or
violence between people
 Causes

Heat

Fire

Electricity

Chemicals

Steam

Radiation
 Types / Degrees of Burns

First Degree

Second Degree

Third Degree

Fourth Degree
 Layers
Type[3] Appearance Texture Sensation Healing Time Prognosis Example
involved
Heals well;[3]
Repeated
sunburns
Superficial Red without 5–10 days
Epidermis[4] Dry Painful [3]
increase the
(1st-degree) blisters[3] [3][16]
risk of
skin cancer
later in life[17]
Local
Superficial Extends into Redness with
infection/
partial superficial clearblister. Very painful less than 2–3
Moist[3] cellulitis but
thickness (papillary) Blanches with [3]
weeks[3][11]
no scarring
(2nd-degree) dermis[3] pressure.[3]
typically[11]
Scarring,
Yellow or
Extends into contractures
Deep partial white. Less
deep Pressure and (may require
thickness blanching. Fairly dry[11] 3–8 weeks[3]
(reticular) discomfort[11] excision and
(2nd-degree) May be
dermis[3] skin grafting)
blistering.[3] [11]

Scarring,
contractures,
Extends Stiff and
Prolonged amputation
Full thickness through white/brown
Leathery[3] Painless[3] (months) and (early
(3rd-degree) entire dermis [3] No
incomplete[3] excision
[3]
blanching[11]
recommende
d)[11]
Extends Amputation,
through significant
entire skin, Black; functional
Requires
4th-degree and into charred with Dry Painless impairment,
excision[3]
underlying eschar and, in some
fat, muscle cases, death.
 First Aid in Minor Burns

 Cool the burn to help soothe the pain. Hold the burned area under cool (not cold)
running water for 10 to 15 minutes or until the pain eases. Or apply a clean towel
dampened with cool tap water.

 Remove rings or other tight items from the burned area. Try to do this quickly
and gently, before the area swells.

 Don't break small blisters (no bigger than your little fingernail). If blisters
break, gently clean the area with mild soap and water, apply an antibiotic ointment, and
cover it with a nonstick gauze bandage.

 Apply moisturizer or aloe vera lotion or gel or burn all, which may provide
relief in some cases.

 If needed, take an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as ibuprofen (Advil,

Motrin IB, others), naproxen sodium (Aleve) or acetaminophen (Tylenol, others).

 Consider a tetanus shot. Make sure that your tetanus booster is up to date. Doctors
recommend people get a tetanus shot at least every 10 years.
 First Aid in Major Burns
 Call 1122 or emergency medical help for major burns. Until an emergency unit
arrives, take these actions:

 Protect the burned person from further harm. If you can do so safely, make
sure the person you're helping is not in contact with smoldering materials or exposed
to smoke or heat. But don't remove burned clothing stuck to the skin.

 Check for signs of circulation. Look for breathing, coughing or movement. Begin
CPR if needed.

 Remove jewelry, belts and other restrictive items, especially from around
burned areas and the neck. Burned areas swell rapidly.

 Don't immerse large severe burns in cold water. Doing so could cause a
serious loss of body heat (hypothermia) or a drop in blood pressure and decreased
blood flow (shock).

 Elevate the burned area. Raise the wound above heart level, if possible.

 Cover the area of the burn. Use a cool, moist, bandage or a clean cloth.
 Do Not

Do not break the blister, it will increase chance of infection.

Do not use adhesive dressing or a tape on the skin.

Do not apply lotions, ointments or fats to the injury.

Do not remove anything sticking to the burn.

Do not use cotton wool or any other fluffy materials.

Do not apply ice directly to burn.

Rule of Nine
 Severity Depend on DALO

D = Depth of the burn

A = Area covered by Burn

L = Location of the burn

O = Origin of the burn

 Critical Burns

 2nd degree burn which are larger than the palm of the
causality

 All 3rd & 4th degree burns

 Burns on face, joints or genitals

 If the area burnt is larger than 9% there is always the

possibility of shock.
 Remember

Electrical injuries can kill

 Electrical Burns

Human body is a very good conductor of electricity.

Some body parts like skin resist the electrical

current.

Resistance in skin produces heat which results in

burn injuries.
 Severity of Electrical Burns

Depends on:

 Type of contact

 Amount of contact

 Current path through the body

 How long the contact lasted

 Signs & Symptoms

 Unconscious

 Shock

 Breathing difficulty

 Weak irregular pulse

 Obvious burns on skin often on hands or foot

 Fracture

 Heart arrest

 Respiratory arrest
 Preventive Measures at Home

 Preventive measures you can take at home include:

 Keep children out of the kitchen while cooking.

 Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove.

 Place a fire extinguisher in or near the kitchen.

 Test smoke detectors once a month.

 Replace smoke detectors every 10 years.

 Keep water heater temperature under 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

 Preventive Measures at Home

 Measure bath water temperature before use.

 Lock up matches and lighters.

 Install electrical outlet covers.

 Check and discard electrical cords with exposed wires.

 Keep chemicals out of reach, and wear gloves during chemical use.

 Wear sunscreen every day, and avoid peak sunlight.

 Ensure all smoking products are stubbed out completely.

 General Prevention

 Historically, about half of all burns were deemed

preventable.

 Burn prevention programs have significantly decreased

rates of serious burns.

 Preventive measures include: limiting hot water

temperatures, smoke alarms, sprinkler systems, proper
construction of buildings, and fire-resistant clothing.

 Experts recommend setting water heaters below 48.8 °C

(119.8 °F).
 General Prevention

 Other measures to prevent scalds include using a

thermometer to measure bath water temperatures, and
splash guards on stoves.

 While the effect of the regulation of fireworks is unclear,

there is tentative evidence of benefit with recommendations
including the limitation of the sale of fireworks to children.
THANK YOU