What is a burn?
A burn is a injury that happens when your skin or other tissues are damaged by heat, electricity, chemicals, or radiation. A burn can be very painful. Burns can happen on the inside of your body, as well as the outside.
There are different types of burns, based on how deep the damage goes:
-Superficial or first-degree burns damage only the outer layer of skin (epidermis).
-Second-degree burns damage the outer layer and the layer under it (dermis).
-Third-degree burns damage or destroy all layers of skin and underlying bone, muscle, and tendons.
The degree of a burn is based on how deep it goes into your skin and how much surface area it covers.
What are the different types of burns?
There are several different types of burns, and each one requires specific first-aid treatment. The first step in treating any burn is to remove the heat source and then begin cooling the burn.
-Thermal burns. Thermal burns occur when heat is applied to the skin, resulting in damage to the skin cells. These burns can be caused by fire, hot liquids, or steam.
-Chemical burns. Chemical burns occur when the skin comes into contact with an irritating substance, such as an acid or a base.
-Electrical burns. Electrical burns occur when the skin comes into contact with an electrical current. These burns are often very deep and can cause serious internal damage.
-Radiation burns. Radiation burns occur when the skin is exposed to UV radiation from the sun or other sources, such as tanning beds.
What are the symptoms of a burn?
There are three types of burns: first-degree, second-degree, and third-degree. Each type is determined by how deep the burn is and how much damage it has caused to your skin.
First-degree burns are the most superficial type of burn. They damage only the first layer of your skin, called the epidermis, and typically heal within a week without any scarring. Symptoms of a first-degree burn include redness, pain, and swelling.
Second-degree burns go deeper into your skin and cause more damage than first-degree burns. They can cause blistering and can often be quite painful. Second-degree burns typically heal within two to three weeks, but may result in some scarring.
Third-degree burns are the most serious type of burn. They involve all layers of your skin and can even damage tissues below the skin, such as muscles and bones. Third-degree burns can be very painful and may require surgery to heal properly. They often result in scarring.
What are the first aid treatments for a burn?
For a first-degree or superficial partial-thickness burn, such as a sunburn, you can usually treat the burn at home. Follow these steps: -Cool the burn. Apply cool, not cold, water to the burn for 10 to 15 minutes or until the pain eases. -Wrap the burn. After cooling the burn, wrap it in a sterile gauze bandage or clean cloth. -Apply lotion to the burn. Do this 3 to 4 times a day until your skin heals — which should be within 7 days.
What are the home remedies for a burn?
There are many home remedies that can help relieve the pain and discomfort of a burn. Some of these home remedies include: -Applying a cool compress to the affected area -Taking a cool bath or shower -Using lotions or ointments that contain Aloe Vera -Avoiding tight clothing or anything that rubs against the affected area -Taking over-the-counter pain medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen
When should you see a doctor for a burn?
If the burn is larger than 3 inches or affects the face, hands, feet, or genitals, seek medical attention. Also get medical help for any burn that causes blistering or white or charred flesh.
What are the complications of a burn?
Burns can result in complications, including:
-Infection. Most superficial partial-thickness burns heal without infection. However, infection is a risk for all but the most superficial partial-thickness and full-thickness burns.
-Dehydration. Severe burns can lead to dehydration, which can be life-threatening. IV fluids often are necessary to treat dehydration.
-Shock. Severe burn injuries stimulate your body’s stress response. Shock occurs when blood flow becomes inadequate for organ function. Signs and symptoms of shock include low blood pressure, anxiety and confusion, rapid breathing, pale or cool skin that is moist with sweat, a weak and rapid pulse and dizziness or fainting when standing up from a lying position. If untreated, shock can lead to cardiac arrest and death.
-Electrical injuries. Serious burn complications can occur when electrical energy flows (electrocutes) through the body or when lightning strikes. Signs and symptoms of an electrical injury might not be immediately apparent because the electricity might have damaged internal organs that aren’t visible from the outside. For example, you might have a heart attack or other heart problems hours or days after being electrocuted because the electrical current might have damaged your heart muscle or disrupted your heartbeat (arrhythmia).
How can you prevent a burn?
To prevent a burn, run the affected area under cold water for at least five minutes.