Severe skin damage that causes the cells to die is called a burn. It can range from minor to major injuries. Depending on the severity of the burn, the course of treatment changes.
Some tips when dealing with burn injuries are:
The severity of a burn depends on the extent of the damage i.e. the depth of the skin it affects. A minor burn can be distinguished from a more serious one that requires medical attention through the classification of burns. The following are the types, ranging from minor to severe:
It causes minimal skin damage since only the outer layer (epidermis) is damaged. First-degree burns heal within 7-10 days without leaving a scar. It is accompanied by:
The damage extends beyond the epidermis into the second layer of skin (dermis), and the burn is more serious. Depending on its extent, it may heal within 2-3 weeks. There may be pigment changes in the skin. It is accompanied by:
The damage reaches the fat layer under the skin, making it an extremely severe burn injury. They require immediate medical attention, and there is no set timeline for their healing. The pain may not be felt if the nerve endings are damaged. Surgery may also be required to prevent scarring. The symptoms may be:
This is the most severe burn category. The damage extends well beyond the skin and may even affect muscles and bones. Similar to third-degree burns, there may be no pain felt if the nerve endings are damaged. Symptoms are:
While a first-degree or second-degree burn may be treated at home, third-degree and fourth-degree burns require medical attention. Even in the case of the former two, if the affected area is large or the burn is on a major joint like the spine, ankle, elbow, etc, it is advisable to seek medical help.
Burns can be caused by several substances. Some of them based on the category of burns are:
Fourth-degree burns are caused due to similar circumstances as third-degree burns. The extent of the damage increases though, and so does the long-term outlook for recovery.
Minor burns that cause pain, blisters, superficial redness or are smaller than 3 inches in diameter do not require emergency care. With proper care at home, they resolve within a few weeks.
Seek immediate care for major burns that are deep or larger than 3 inches in diameter, covering the face, hands, feet, groin, or major joint. Also, burns that appear charred or patchy or that leave the skin dry and leathery need immediate attention.
The doctor may prescribe the following depending on the severity of the burn:
The treatments rendered in the first 4 hours of the incident can make a lot of difference in saving the life of the patient. Initial assessment, management of burn, evaluation of burn size, and fluid replacement plays a major role in the first 24 hours after burn injury. The ABCDE approach mentioned below is a priority response to address the complications of burns quickly and efficiently. The emergency care for serious burns is required to:
In some cases, surgical procedures may be necessary:
Complications generally arise with third-degree or fourth-degree burns, wherein the body is exposed to outside infections through broken skin, risks blood loss, etc. Some of them are:
It is essential to follow prevention routines at home to avoid burn injuries. Children, especially, are vulnerable to burns. Proper precautionary measures can help to prevent burn injuries for everyone at home.
The severity of burns depends on their extent i.e. the area of damaged skin and the depth. As a rule of thumb, if the burn is deep or larger than 3 inches in diameter, covering the face, hands, feet, groin, or major joint, it is essential to seek medical attention. This generally occurs in the case of third-degree or fourth-degree burns. Always take the necessary precautions at home to prevent the possibility of any minor or life-threatening burn injuries.
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