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Medical
Dermatology - Burns
Burns are a type of traumatic
injury caused by thermal,
electrical, chemical, or
electromagnetic energy. Most
burn accidents occur at home.
Many others occur at work. More
than two million burn injuries
occur each year in the US,
resulting in 100,000 to 300,000
hospitalizations.
An open flame is the leading
cause of burn injury for adults,
while scalding is the leading
cause of burn injury for
children. Both infants and the
elderly are at the greatest risk
for burn injury.
Types of Burns
A burn injury usually
results from an energy transfer
to the body. There are many
types of burns caused by
thermal, radiation, chemical,
or electrical contact:
-
thermal burns -
burns due to external heat
sources which raise the
temperature of the skin
and tissues and cause
tissue cell death or
charring. Hot metals,
scalding liquids, steam,
and flames, when coming in
contact with the skin, can
cause thermal burns.
-
radiation burns
- burns due to prolonged
exposure to ultraviolet
rays of the sun, or to
other sources of radiation
such as x-ray.
-
chemical burns
- burns due to strong
acids, alkalies,
detergents, or solvents
coming into contact with
the skin and/or eyes.
-
electrical burns
- burns from electrical
current, either
alternating current (AC)
or direct current (DC).
Burns are classified as
first-, second-, or
third-degree, depending on how
deep and severe they penetrate
the skin's surface:
First-degree
(superficial) burns
First-degree burns affect only
the epidermis, or outer layer
of skin. The burn site is red,
painful, dry, and with no
blisters. Mild sunburn is an
example. Long-term tissue
damage is rare and usually
consists of an increase or
decrease in the skin color.
Second-degree (partial
thickness) burns
Second-degree burns involve the
epidermis and part of the
dermis layer of skin. The burn
site appears red, blistered,
and may be swollen and painful.
Third-degree (full
thickness) burns
Third-degree burns destroy the
epidermis and dermis.
Third-degree burns may also
damage the underlying bones,
muscles, and tendons. The burn
site appears white or charred.
There is no sensation in the
area since the nerve endings
are destroyed.
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