Burns

Overview

Burns are tissue damage which happen following overexposure to sun, heat, radiation, electrical or chemical contact. Severity of burns will depend on how deep the skin damage is and treatment of burns will differ accordingly.

Signs and Symptoms

1st-degree burn may cause pain and redness, 2nd-degree burn may cause severe pain, swelling, blisters, redness, white or splotchy skin, and scarring, 3rd-degree burn may cause burned areas to turn brown or white, leathery-looking skin and numbness

Common Causes

Fire, Sunlight and other sources of ultraviolet radiation like tanning beds, Hot steam or liquid, Hot objects, Chemicals like gasoline or strong acids, Electrical current, Radiation, Abuse

Risk Factors

Poverty and lack of proper safety measures at home, Child abuse, Placement of young children in household roles, Occupations that involve exposure to fire, Easy access to chemicals, Underlying health problems like epilepsy and cognitive and physical disabilities

Treatment and Prevention

First aid management, Fluid replacement to prevent dehydration, Pain medications, Topical ointments such as silver sulfadiazine and bacitracin, Wound dressings, Antibiotics, Tetanus shot, Ultrasound mist therapy, Physical and occupational therapy, Skin grafts, Plastic surgery