What is a burn?
A burn occurs when you have tissue damage, usually after contact with heat.
There are three types of burns:
First-degree burns (superficial burns) are mild compared to other burns. They cause pain and redness of the epidermis (the outermost layer of the skin).
Second degree burns (partial thickness burns) affect the epidermis and dermis (the bottom layer of the skin). They cause pain, redness, swelling and blistering.
Third-degree burns (full-thickness burns) penetrate the dermis and affect deeper tissues. They result in charred white or black skin that may be dull.
Fourth degree burns go beyond third degree burns and can affect your muscles and bones. Nerve endings are also damaged or destroyed, so there is no sensation in the burned area.
Burn Symptoms
Burn symptoms depend on the cause and type of burn:
First degree burns:
Redness and ulceration of the skin.
There are no blisters
Second degree burns:
Redness and ulceration of the skin
blisters
swelling
Third degree burns:
White, black, dark red or charred skin
It can be painful but it can be annoying
Fourth degree burns:
There is no feeling in the area
Skin tissue, fat, muscles and possibly bones have been destroyed
Depending on the severity of the burn, some people may go into shock. Symptoms of shock may include pale, moist skin, weakness, cyanosis of the lips and fingernails and decreased alertness.
First- and second-degree burns usually get better on their own, but third- and fourth-degree burns require immediate medical attention. Call your doctor if a second-degree burn is deep and doesn't get better soon.
Causes of burns
Thermal burns are the most common. These burns occur when flames, hot metals, boiling liquids or vapors come in contact with the skin. This can happen in many circumstances, including house fires, car accidents, kitchen accidents and power outages.
Other things that can cause burns include:
radiation
friction
hot objects
the sun
electricity
chemical products
treatment of burns
Treatment of burns depends on the type of burn.
First-degree burns can usually be treated with wound care products such as aloe vera cream or antibiotic ointment, and pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol).
Second-degree burns can be treated with an antibiotic cream or other creams or ointments prescribed by your doctor.
Third- and fourth-degree burns may require more intensive treatments such as intravenous (IV) antibiotics to prevent infection or intravenous fluids to replace fluids lost when the skin is burned. They may also need skin grafts or the use of artificial skin.
If the burn is severe, you will need to call the 911 hotline. There are a few things you can do until the doctors arrive:
Move the person away from the cause of the burn. If the cause is electrical, make sure the power is off before accessing it.
Check to see if the person is breathing. If not, start artificial respiration (mouth-to-mouth resuscitation) if you know how.
Remove anything that might prevent them from moving freely and easily, such as jewelry or a belt.
Cover the burned area with a clean, cool cloth or slightly damp bandage. Do not put severe burns on water, as this can cause a sudden drop in body temperature and result in hypothermia.
Keep the burned area above heart level if you can.
Watch for signs of shock, such as fainting or dizziness, pale skin and shallow breathing. If you notice any of these, try to lift their legs and feet a bit, but don't move them. If they start to vomit, turn them over.
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