Degree of Burns
Definition
Burns can be caused by flame, UV radiation, hot liquids, electricity, lightning and certain chemicals. Major burns are a medical emergency and require urgent medical attention. In some cases, skin graft surgery is needed (Atkinson A., 1998) .
Different types of burns
There are four types of burns: * Thermal burns caused by fire, hot objects, hot liquids, and gases; or by nuclear blast or fireball Thermal burn treatment . enlarge | info |
Fig. 1 Thermal burn - full thickness scald burn of feet secondary to immersion in bath tub * Electrical burns caused by electrical wires, current, or lightning . enlarge | info |
Fig. 2 Full thickness high voltage wiring injury with fasciotomy * Chemical burns caused by contact with wet or dry chemicals or white phosphorus (WP)—from marking rounds and grenades Chemical burns . * Radiation (UV, radiotherapy, laser burns) (eye [ocular] injury) Ocular burns (Dowsett C, 2002) .
Degrees of burns
Burns that meet the criteria for outpatient management may be treated initially in the emergency department, after which arrangements should be made for close follow-up on an outpatient basis.
A. First-degree burns
Minor burns Thermal burn treatment enlarge | info |
Fig. 3 Thermal burn - I-II degree burns from exploded alcohol
B. Partial thickness or second degree burns
There are five categories of second-degree burn typically used to characterize the depth of injury. Each corresponds with healing time, treatment modalities and outcome. 1. Superficial Second Degree Minor burns 2. Mid Second Degree (Mid Dermal) enlarge | info |
enlarge | info |
enlarge | info | Fig. 4 Burns - II degree
Minor burns 1. Indeterminate (Mid Second Degree versus Deep Second Degree)
Minor burns 2. Deep Second Degree (Deep Dermal)
Minor burns 3. Indeterminate (Deep Second Degree Versus Third Degree)
Minor burns 4. Full
Burns can be caused by flame, UV radiation, hot liquids, electricity, lightning and certain chemicals. Major burns are a medical emergency and require urgent medical attention. In some cases, skin graft surgery is needed (Atkinson A., 1998) .
Different types of burns
There are four types of burns: * Thermal burns caused by fire, hot objects, hot liquids, and gases; or by nuclear blast or fireball Thermal burn treatment . enlarge | info |
Fig. 1 Thermal burn - full thickness scald burn of feet secondary to immersion in bath tub * Electrical burns caused by electrical wires, current, or lightning . enlarge | info |
Fig. 2 Full thickness high voltage wiring injury with fasciotomy * Chemical burns caused by contact with wet or dry chemicals or white phosphorus (WP)—from marking rounds and grenades Chemical burns . * Radiation (UV, radiotherapy, laser burns) (eye [ocular] injury) Ocular burns (Dowsett C, 2002) .
Degrees of burns
Burns that meet the criteria for outpatient management may be treated initially in the emergency department, after which arrangements should be made for close follow-up on an outpatient basis.
A. First-degree burns
Minor burns Thermal burn treatment enlarge | info |
Fig. 3 Thermal burn - I-II degree burns from exploded alcohol
B. Partial thickness or second degree burns
There are five categories of second-degree burn typically used to characterize the depth of injury. Each corresponds with healing time, treatment modalities and outcome. 1. Superficial Second Degree Minor burns 2. Mid Second Degree (Mid Dermal) enlarge | info |
enlarge | info |
enlarge | info | Fig. 4 Burns - II degree
Minor burns 1. Indeterminate (Mid Second Degree versus Deep Second Degree)
Minor burns 2. Deep Second Degree (Deep Dermal)
Minor burns 3. Indeterminate (Deep Second Degree Versus Third Degree)
Minor burns 4. Full