Burns are one of the most common injuries that occur at home or in the workplace, especially among children. The term burn is actually more than a burning sensation on the skin following contact with a hot object, and burns are associated with severe cell damage at the site of the injury, leading to cell death at the site of contact. Most often, people recover without severe and irreversible damage or impairment, but the extent of the damage can vary depending on the cause and degree of the burn. More serious burn injuries require emergency medical evaluation and intervention to protect the person from further impairment and complications.
Types of burns by severity:
1- First degree burn: red without blisters
2- Second-degree burn: Blisters are observed and swelling and thickening of the skin are observed in some areas.
3- Third-degree burn: has a uniform thickness with a white, leathery appearance.
There is a more severe burn called fourth degree, which has the characteristics of third degree burns but goes beyond the skin and involves the underlying layers such as nerves, tendons, etc.
Types of burns are classified into the following groups based on the causative agent:
1- Burns caused by very hot or boiling liquids
2- Chemical burns
3- Burns caused by electricity
4- Burns caused by fire, such as candle flames, matches, and lights.
5- Sunburn (seaside, skiing, farm workers in summer)
The degree of a burn is not related to the cause, and very hot objects, such as boiling liquid, can cause all three degrees of burn. The degree of burn will vary depending on how hot the substance was and how long it was in contact with the skin. Chemical and electrical burns require immediate medical attention and emergency care because, regardless of the severity and superficial symptoms, they can cause worse effects inside the body and the depth of the burn area.
First degree burns:
These types of burns cause minimal skin damage and are therefore also called superficial burns because they involve the outermost layer of skin. Symptoms of a first-degree burn include redness, minimal swelling, pain, and dryness and peeling of the burn site. As long as the burn only involves the top layer of skin, the signs and symptoms will disappear as the top layer falls off. These burns usually heal without scarring within 7 to 10 days. However, if the burn area is larger than three inches or is on the face or joints such as the knees, ankles, feet, spine, shoulders, elbows, and forearms, it is best to see a doctor. These burns are often treated with home care and include: soaking the burn in cool water for 5 minutes or more using a pain reliever such as acetaminophen to relieve pain at the burn site using anesthetics such as lidocaine or aloe vera gel to soften the skin applying an antibiotic ointment and lubricating the burn site with this ointment and then covering the burn site with sterile gauze will relieve the patient’s pain.
Second degree burns:
This type of burn requires extra attention because the damage extends from the top layer of skin to the layers below. This type of burn causes the skin to blister, become red, and become sore. Over time, the blisters burst, causing the wound to become moist and ooze, and this discharge causes a scab that spreads over the entire surface of the burn. Because of the fragile appearance of this type of wound, it is important to keep it clean and bandage it sterilely to prevent infection. This bandage helps speed up the healing of the wound. The more blisters there are, the longer it will take to heal. Sometimes, a skin graft is used to repair the burn. In this method, grafts are taken from other parts of the body that are healthy and are placed in the damaged area. Treatment for a mild second-degree burn includes:
Run the skin under cool water for at least 15 minutes. Use pain relievers such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen. Use antibiotic cream to cover the surface of the blisters.
If the burn covers a large area of the body or is in the following areas, be sure to see a doctor. (Face, hands, buttocks, thighs, feet, wrists down)
Third degree burns:
These burns are considered the most severe type of burn, except for the fourth type, which causes severe and deep damage. There is a misconception that these burns are the most painful types of burns. However, in this degree of burn, the skin damage is so severe that it involves the skin nerves, and therefore there may be no pain. Depending on the cause of the wound and the symptoms of a third-degree burn may vary:
White and waxy, charcoal-like, dark brown, raised, leathery appearance, like blisters that do not progress.
Without surgery, these wounds heal with a disfiguring, raised scar, and there is no set time frame for complete healing. Never attempt to treat these types of burns yourself. Seek emergency medical attention immediately and elevate the injured limb above the level of your heart while you wait for medical help. Do not remove your clothing, but make sure that no fabric or foreign objects are stuck to the wound.
Complications:
Compared to first- and second-degree burns, third-degree burns carry the most complications. Complications include infections, blood loss, shock (which can even lead to death), and all wounds carry the risk of infection because the skin barrier has been broken and is more permeable to microorganisms, especially bacteria. Tetanus is another complication of these types of burns. Tetanus is a bacterial infection that affects the nervous system and causes problems with muscle contractions. Severe burns also carry the risk of hypothermia and loss of body fluid volume.
Prevention of all types of burns:
Naturally, the best and most obvious way to prevent burns is to prevent the conditions that cause them. Although many job situations put you at risk of burns, according to statistics, most burns occur in the home environment, and children and adolescents are considered the most at-risk and vulnerable groups for burns.
Some recommended safety measures:
Keep children away from the kitchen and cooking area. Place pots, pans, and kettles on the back burners of the gas stove so that they are not accessible to children. Place a fire extinguisher next to the kitchen. Check smoke detectors in public areas once a month. Replace smoke detectors every ten years. Set the water heater temperature below 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep lighters and matches out of reach and store them in a safe place. Put caps and covers on outlets. Throw away electrical cords with visible wires. Keep chemicals out of reach and wear appropriate gloves when working with them. Be sure to use sunscreen and avoid direct sunlight. Make sure that all smoke from smoke-producing products (steamers, etc.) is completely removed from the environment.
It is also important to practice a fire drill. In the event of a fire, it is very important to crawl under the smoke to move from one point to another, this increases your chances of escaping the fire and not getting trapped in it.
