Burns – External

Burns – External – General Information

• Scalds from hot liquids
• Scalds from steam
• Building fires
• Flammable liquids
• Flammable gases

There are six types of Burns:

• First degree burns – are those that damage only the outer layer of the skin
• Second degree burns – are those that damage both the outer layer and the layer underneath the skin
• Third degree burn – are those that damage and can also destroy the deepest layer of the skin and may also damage the tissues underneath.
• Fourth degree burn – are those that affect much or all of the dermis, which is lost often exposing the muscle and also the bone underneath. These types of burn need hospitalization and the amputation of the affected area could be necessary. Also this type of burn is often fatal.
• Fifth-degree burns – these types of burns usually expose the bone beneath the affected area, and may also burn the bone and lead to immobility.
• Sixth-degree burns – these burns also expose the bone and may burn the bone partially or completely.

The most important thing in a person who has suffered Burns is the location of the burns. As the burns in the area of the neck, nose or mouth usually need guarding of the person’s airways, as the swelling may lead to the obstruction of the airways and death.

Burns – External – Symptoms

First degree burns:

• Redness
• Pain
• Minor swelling
• Dry skin without blisters

• Blisters
• Severe pain
• Redness
• Blisters can break and the affected area can look wet and may have a red or pink color.

• Dry surface
• Waxy white area
• The affected area may seem leathery, charred or even brown
• Little or no pain
• The area may feel numb, because the nerves are damaged

Other symptoms include:

• Swelling
• Blistering
• Scarring
• Shock
• Death
• Infections
• Peeling pain
• Red skin
• Pale and clammy skin
• Weakness
• Bluish lips and fingernails
• Charred mouth
• Burned lips
• Burns on the head, face or neck
• Wheezing
• Change in voice
• Coughing
• Difficulty in breathing
• Singed nose hairs
• Singed eyebrows
• Dark, carbon – stained mucus

Burns – External – Treatment

The majority of the minor Burns are superficial and usually do not cause complications. Despite these, the second and third degree burns can lead to the formation of the scar tissues. The scar tissues usually shrink in order to heel, and if this happens near by a joint the contracture usually restricts the movements related to that joint. The severe types of burns cause severe complications, as a result to the extensive fluid loss and the tissue damage. These complications do not appear immediately, but in an hour or two they will develop. In people who have spread Burns dehydration appears because the fluid seeps from the blood in the burned tissues, and if this dehydration in severe then the shock may develop. Before beginning the treatment for this medical condition, we have to be sure that the burning agent has been stopped, and that any clothing especially that which is smoldering is removed from the body. Usually hospitalization is needed only in the third, fourth, fifth and sixth degree Burns, as the first can be home treated. But there are also cases in which the third degree Burns may be home treated. Usually the severe burns such as deep-second and third degree burns which occur in the youngsters or elderly people, and the burns which affect the hands, feet, face, genitals are best treated in hospitals or in burn centers. The burn centers are also hospitals but especially equipped and with trained doctors and nurses to care for the burn victims.