Burns

Burns are categorized by the degree of severity.

These burns are the least severe. They affect only the top layer of skin, the epidermis, which turns red at the burn site and causes pain when it is touched. Small blisters and mild swelling sometimes accompany first-degree burns, but usually the blisters heal rapidly and the swelling recedes on its own.

These burns affect both the dermis and the epidermis. They often cause pain, fever, swelling, chills, and blisters, which may be reddish or whitish in color. Severe sunburns often are second-degree burns, and a person with such a burn should consult a doctor about it.

These are the most serious burns and they require immediate medical treatment. They affect all layers of skin and cause damage and cell death to numerous kinds of tis-sues, including nerves, sweat glands, fat, and hair follicles. The burn area may be free from pain if nerve endings have been damaged, but the area around the burn will often be extremely painful. The skin might appear white or be blackened and charred. Complications of third-degree burns can include:

Special charts and apps are used to determine the amount of body surface that is burned. This is helpful when planning the type and amount of treatment needed for healing. Another factor used to determine the severity of the burn and type of treatment is the burn location. Burns are categorized as being minor, moderate, or severe:

Treatment depends on how deeply the burn has injured skin tissue and underlying organs, the overall size of the burn, and the burn's location. For instance, a person with a sizable burn to the hands, feet, face, joints, groin, or buttocks should consult a doctor.

Mild burns usually heal on their own when the injured area is kept clean and dry. More serious burns often require treatment in a hospital, and the most severe of these cases may necessitate care in a hospital's specialized burn unit or in an intensive care unit.

Doctors often treat second- and third-degree burns with an antibiotic, such as a silver sulfadiazine cream. Externally applied, this agent kills a range of bacteria. These severe burns might require debridement * and skin graft surgery to replace the damaged tissue followed by a long healing period and physical therapy for the injured area. Doctors or burn technicians can debride skin with a special scalpel or lasers. Typically, skin for the graft is taken from an unburned area of the body, such as the stomach. The grafted area also can be covered with skin from a cadaver or animal.

The best defenses against burns are following fire safety rules, being aware, and preventing accidents. Additional actions to prevent burns in the home include:

Being informed about the sun's harmful rays helps to prevent sunburn. Actions to prevent sunburn include:

See also Skin Conditions: Overview • Trauma