A burn is a type of injury to flesh or skin caused by heat, electricity, chemicals, friction, or radiation. Burns that affect only the superficial skin are known as superficial or first-degree burns. When damage penetrates into some of the underlying layers, it is a partial-thickness or second-degree burn. In a full-thickness or third-degree burn, the injury extends to all layers of the skin. A fourth-degree burn additionally involves injury to deeper tissues, such as muscle or bone.
First Degree Burns
- First Aid & Treatment
- Remove patient from heat source
- Remove the burnt clothing
- Run cool water over burnt area
- Gently clean the injured area
- Gently dry
- Apply anti biotic such as Silver Sulphadiazine
- Use a sterile bandage to cover burns
- Take tetanus vaccination
Second-degree burns
- First Aid & Burn Treatment
- Clean the affected area thoroughly
- Gently dry
- Apply antibiotic cream over affected area
- Make the patient lie down
- Keep burnt body part at a raised level
- Skin graft may be required
- Physical therapy may be essential to aid mobility
- Splints may be used to rest affected joints
- Hospitalization may be required
Third-degree burns
- First Aid & Burn Treatment
- Requires immediate hospital care
- Dehydration treated through intravenous fluid supply
- Oxygen is administered
- Eschars are surgically opened
- Multiple surgeries like Skin graft or Flap surgery required
- Nutritious diet helps to heal quickly
Burn scar contracture refers to the tightening of the skin after a second or third degree burn. When skin is burned, the surrounding skin begins to pull together, resulting in a contracture. It needs to be treated as soon as possible because the scar can result in restriction of movement around the injured area and for this Burn Surgery is required.
Treatment
Burn scar contractures do not go away on their own, although may improve with the passage of time and physiotherapy and splinting. If persistent the person may need the contracture to be released or a bury surgery can be opted. Techniques may include local skin flaps (z-plasty) or skin grafting (full thickness or split thickness). There are also pharmacy and drug-store treatments that can be used to help scar maturation, especially silicone gel treatments.