BURNS Burns can result from dry heat(fire), moist heat (steam,hot liquids), electricity, chemicals, and radiation (sunlight)
Treatment of Burns Depends on the depth of burn (first, second or third degree) How much of the body is affected The location of the burn
FIRST DEGREE BURNS Only affect the outer layer of skin Area appears dry, red and mildly swollen Painful and sensitive to touch Example: mild sunburn, hot iron, Healing time: about 1 week Do not use butter or ointments
SECOND DEGREE BURNS Affect the skin’s lower layers as well as the outer skin Painful, swollen, blisters Skin develops weepy, watery surface. Examples: Severe sunburn, boiling liquids Do not break blisters
THIRD DEGREE BURNS Affect the outer layer and deeper skin layers as well as underlying tissue and organs They appear black and white and charred. Pain is less than with 1st or 2nd degree There can be no pain at all due to nerve endings destroyed.
3rd degree (cont) Burns usually result from electric shocks, burning clothes, severe gas fires. Always require emergency treatment. Hospitalization and sometimes require skin grafts.