A burn is a type of injury
to skin or other tissues, caused by heat, cold, electricity, chemicals friction
or radiation
to skin or other tissues, caused by heat, cold, electricity, chemicals friction
or radiation
Burns are one of the most
common household injuries especially among children. The term burn means more
than the burning sensation associated with this injury burns are characterize
by severe skin damage that causes affected skin cells to die.
common household injuries especially among children. The term burn means more
than the burning sensation associated with this injury burns are characterize
by severe skin damage that causes affected skin cells to die.
Most people can recover
from burn without serious health consequences, depending on the cause and
degree of injury, more serious burns require immediate emergency medical care
to prevent complication and death.
from burn without serious health consequences, depending on the cause and
degree of injury, more serious burns require immediate emergency medical care
to prevent complication and death.
Burn level
There are three types of burn;
first, second and third degree each degree is based on the skin with first degree
being the most minor and third degree being the most severe.
first, second and third degree each degree is based on the skin with first degree
being the most minor and third degree being the most severe.
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First degree burns: Red non-blistered skin
First degree burns: Red non-blistered skin
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Second degree burns: Blisters and some
thickening of the skin
Second degree burns: Blisters and some
thickening of the skin
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Third degree burns: Wide spread thickness with a
white leathering appearance.
Third degree burns: Wide spread thickness with a
white leathering appearance.
There are also fourth degree burns. Thus types of
burns include all of the symptoms of a third degree burn and also extend beyond
the skin into tendons and bones.
burns include all of the symptoms of a third degree burn and also extend beyond
the skin into tendons and bones.
Causes of burns
1. Scalding from hot, boiling
liquid
liquid
2. Chemical burns
3. Electrical burns
4. Fires, including flames
from matches candles and lighters etc.
from matches candles and lighters etc.
5. Excessive sun exposure etc.
The type of burn is not
based on the cause of it. Scalding for example can cause all three burns
depending on how hot the liquid is and how long it stays in contact with the skin.
based on the cause of it. Scalding for example can cause all three burns
depending on how hot the liquid is and how long it stays in contact with the skin.
Chemicals and electrical
burns warrant immediate medical attention because they can affect the inside of
the body even if skin damage is minor.
burns warrant immediate medical attention because they can affect the inside of
the body even if skin damage is minor.
First degree burn
First degree burns cause minimize
skin damage, they are also called superficial burns because they affect the
outermost layer of the skin.
skin damage, they are also called superficial burns because they affect the
outermost layer of the skin.
Signs of first degree burns
1. Redness
2. Minor inflammation or
swelling
swelling
3. Pain
4. Dry peeling skin occurs as
the burns heals
the burns heals
Since these burns affect the top layer of skin, the
signs and symptoms disappear once the skin cells shed first degree burns
usually heal within 7 to 10 days without scarring. First degree burns are
usually treated with home care, healing time may be quicker the sooner you
treat the burn.
signs and symptoms disappear once the skin cells shed first degree burns
usually heal within 7 to 10 days without scarring. First degree burns are
usually treated with home care, healing time may be quicker the sooner you
treat the burn.
Treatment for first degree
burns
burns
1. Soaking the wound in cool
water for five minutes or longer.
water for five minutes or longer.
2. Taking acetaminophen or
Ibuprofen for pain relief.
Ibuprofen for pain relief.
3. Applying lidocaine (an anaesthetic)
with aloe vera gel or cream to soothe the skin
with aloe vera gel or cream to soothe the skin
4. Using an antibiotic
ointment and use gauze to protect the affected part.
ointment and use gauze to protect the affected part.
Note: Make sure you don’t use ice as this may make the damage
worse. Never apply cotton balls to a burn because the small fibres can stick to
the injury and increase the risk of infection.
worse. Never apply cotton balls to a burn because the small fibres can stick to
the injury and increase the risk of infection.
Second degree burn
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.
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.
Some blister pop open,
giving the burn a wet or weeping appearance. Over time thick, scab like tissue
called fibrious exudates may develop over the wound. Due to the delicate nature
of these wounds, keeping the area clean and bandaging it properly is required
to prevent infection. This also helps the burn heal quicker.
giving the burn a wet or weeping appearance. Over time thick, scab like tissue
called fibrious exudates may develop over the wound. Due to the delicate nature
of these wounds, keeping the area clean and bandaging it properly is required
to prevent infection. This also helps the burn heal quicker.
Some second degree burns
take longer than three weeks to heal but most heal within two to three weeks
without scarring but often with pigment changes to the skin.
take longer than three weeks to heal but most heal within two to three weeks
without scarring but often with pigment changes to the skin.
The worse the blister are,
the longer cases, skin grafting is required to fix the damage skin grafting
takes health skin from another area of the body and moves it to the site of the
burned skin.
the longer cases, skin grafting is required to fix the damage skin grafting
takes health skin from another area of the body and moves it to the site of the
burned skin.
Treatment of second degree
burn
1. Running the skin under cool
water for 15 minutes or longer
water for 15 minutes or longer
2. Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen
for pain relief
for pain relief
3. Applying antibiotic cream
to blisters
to blisters
Third degree burn
Excluding fourth degree
burns third degree burns are most severe they cause the most damage extending
through every layer of skin.
burns third degree burns are most severe they cause the most damage extending
through every layer of skin.
There is a misconception
that third degree burns are the most painful. However with this type of burn
the damage is so extensive that there may not be any pain because of nerve
damage.
that third degree burns are the most painful. However with this type of burn
the damage is so extensive that there may not be any pain because of nerve
damage.
Depending on the causes the
symptoms third degree burns can include:
symptoms third degree burns can include:
1. Waxy and white colour
2. Char
3. Dark brown colour
4. Raised and leathery texture
5. Blisters that do not
develop
develop
Without surgery these wounds heal with severe scarring
and contracture there is no set timeline for complete spontaneous healing for
third degree burns.
and contracture there is no set timeline for complete spontaneous healing for
third degree burns.
Never attempt to self-treat
a third degree burn call for help, make sure no clothing is stuck to the burn.
a third degree burn call for help, make sure no clothing is stuck to the burn.
Complication such as
1. Infection
2. Blood loss
3. Shock which could often
lead to death
lead to death
4. Tetanus
5. Hypothermia and hypovolemia
At the same time all burns
carry the risk of infection because bacteria can enter broken skin
carry the risk of infection because bacteria can enter broken skin
Preventing all degree burns
The obvious best way to
fight burn is to prevent them from happening, certain jobs put us at a greater
risk for burns, but the fuck is that most burns happen at home, infant and
young children are the most vulnerable to burns.
fight burn is to prevent them from happening, certain jobs put us at a greater
risk for burns, but the fuck is that most burns happen at home, infant and
young children are the most vulnerable to burns.
Preventive measures include
1.
Keep children out of the kitchen while cooking
Keep children out of the kitchen while cooking
2.
Place a fire extinguisher in or near the kitchen
Place a fire extinguisher in or near the kitchen
3.
Test smoke detectors once a month
Test smoke detectors once a month
4.
Measure bath water temperature before use
Measure bath water temperature before use
5.
Keep all matches and lighter away from children
Keep all matches and lighter away from children
6.
Install electrical outlet cover
Install electrical outlet cover
7.
Check and discard electrical cords with exposed
wires.
Check and discard electrical cords with exposed
wires.
8.
Keep chemicals out of reach and wear gloves during
chemical use
Keep chemicals out of reach and wear gloves during
chemical use
9.
Water sun screen every day and avoid peak
sunlight
Water sun screen every day and avoid peak
sunlight
10.
Ensure all smoking products are stubbed out
completely etc.
Ensure all smoking products are stubbed out
completely etc.
Recommendations
Due to the implication of
burns, it is therefore recommended
burns, it is therefore recommended
1. There should be public
awareness
awareness
2. There should be escape plan
in every homes, offices even market etc.
in every homes, offices even market etc.
Conclusion
The management of burn is
individualized depend on the persons carefulness in attending to things that
can cause burns.
individualized depend on the persons carefulness in attending to things that
can cause burns.
REFERENCES
Brunicardi, Charles (2010). “Chapter 8: Burns”. Schwartz’s
principles of surgery (9th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill, Medical Pub. Division
principles of surgery (9th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill, Medical Pub. Division
Hardwicke, J; Hunter, T; Staruch, R; Moiemen, N (May 2012).
“Chemical burns–an historical comparison and review of the
literature.”.Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn
Injuries. 38 (3): 383–7
“Chemical burns–an historical comparison and review of the
literature.”.Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn
Injuries. 38 (3): 383–7
Herndon D (ed.). “Chapter 3: Epidemiological, Demographic, and
Outcome Characteristics of Burn Injury”.Total burn care (4th ed.).
Edinburgh: Saunders
Outcome Characteristics of Burn Injury”.Total burn care (4th ed.).
Edinburgh: Saunders
Herndon D (ed.). “Chapter 4: Prevention of Burn Injuries”. Total
burn care (4th ed.). Edinburgh: Saunders. p. 46
burn care (4th ed.). Edinburgh: Saunders. p. 46
Tintinalli, Judith E. (2010). Emergency Medicine: A Comprehensive Study
Guide (Emergency Medicine (Tintinalli)). New York: McGraw-Hill Companies.
Guide (Emergency Medicine (Tintinalli)). New York: McGraw-Hill Companies.
