Dermatology

Skin Injury

Skin Injury | Blisters | Burns | Sunburn

Burns

What are burns?

Burns are a type of traumatic injury caused by thermal, electrical, chemical, or radioactive agents. Most burn accidents occur at home, followed by burn accidents occurring at work. More than two million burn injuries occur each year in the US, resulting in 100,000 to 300,00 hospitalizations.

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.

What are the different types of burns?

A burn injury usually results from an energy transfer from a heat source 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 or alkaloids coming into contact with the skin and/or eyes.
electrical burns - burns due to a contact with an alternating current, such as open wiring or being struck by lightening.

What are the different classifications of burns?

Burns are classified as first, second, or third degree depending on how deep and severe they penetrate the skin's surface.

First degree - affects only the epidermis layer of skin. The burn site appears red, painful, dry, and absent of blisters. Mild sunburn is an example.
Second degree - involves the epidermis layer and part of the dermis layer of skin. The burn site appears red, blistered, and painful, with possible swelling.
Third degree - destroys the epidermis and dermis. Third degree burns may also damage the underlying bones, muscles, and tendons. The burn site appears white or charred black. There is no sensation in the area since the nerve endings are destroyed.
Burns affecting 10 percent of a child's body and those affecting 15 to 20 percent of an adult's body are considered to be major injuries and often require hospitalization and extensive rehabilitation.

The effects of burns:
A severe burn can be a seriously devastating injury -- not only physically but emotionally -- and not only to the burn victim, but to the entire family. Persons with severe burns may be left with a loss of certain physical capabilities, disfigurement, a loss of mobility, scarring, infection, nightmares or flashbacks from the traumatizing event, loss of a limb, and/or loss of a friend or family member and possessions in the fire. In addition, severe burns are capable of penetrating deep skin layers, causing muscle or tissue damage, virtually affecting every system of the body.

Treatment for burns:
Specific treatment for burns will be determined by your physician based on:

your age, overall health, and medical history
the type, classification, location, and severity of the burn
your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
your opinion or preference

Treatment may include one, or several, of the following:

wound care
intravenous fluids and electrolytes
pain management
physical therapy
occupational therapy
skin grafting
functional and cosmetic reconstruction

This page was last updated on: January 30, 2008.

For patient inquiries, call 1-800-492-5538 or click here to make an appointment.