Burns are something that can happen to us all the time in our daily lives. Think of the pain you feel when you touch a hot pot while cooking in the kitchen, or when you spill some hot water on your hand while making tea in a hurry. Sometimes, small children unknowingly touch an iron. Burns can occur from small incidents like these to serious accidents. But many people panic when they get burned and do things they shouldn't. So today, let's talk about these burns, the exact first aid that should be given for them, and when you should see a doctor.
Simply put, what is this burn?
A burn is damage to the skin and underlying tissues caused by extreme heat, extreme cold, certain chemicals, electricity, sunlight, or forceful contact with the skin. The severity of a burn is determined by two main factors. One is the depth of the burn , which is how many layers of skin are destroyed. The other is the extent of the burn , which is how much of the body is burned.
Burns are a very common accident all over the world. Most of the time, they happen due to carelessness. Therefore, it is very important to be aware of this.
What are the main types of burns based on how they occur?
Even though we call it a burn, there are several ways in which they can occur. Knowing this classification also helps with treatment.
| Type of burn | A simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Thermal burns | This is the most common type we are all familiar with. It occurs when something extremely hot, such as fire, hot water, hot oil, hot pots, or steam, comes into contact with the skin. It can also be caused by extremely cold (such as dry ice). |
| Electrical burns | Burns caused by electric shock. These can be caused by things like broken electrical appliances or electrical wires. These can be more serious than they appear on the outside because electricity can damage internal tissues as it passes through the body. |
| Friction burns | It occurs when the skin rubs against a rough surface, such as a tarmac road or carpet, quickly. This is what we call "scratching." The heat generated by the contact burns the skin. |
| Radiation burns | The most common example is sunburn. It can also occur during radiation therapy for cancer. |
| Chemical burns | Skin contact with strong acids or bases can cause this hazard. This can be caused by things like some harsh household cleaners and battery acid. |
What are the levels of burn depth?
The main way to measure the severity of a burn is to measure how deep it has penetrated the skin. In the past, we called these first-degree, second-degree, and third-degree. Those terms are still used today. Now let's look at how these are called in the new system.
| Burn level (depth) | Affected skin area | A little description |
|---|---|---|
| Superficial burns (Like first-degree) | Only the top layer of the skin (epidermis) is damaged. | The skin becomes red, slightly swollen, and painful. This is what happens when you get sunburned. It usually heals without scarring in a few days. It can be treated at home. |
| Partial-thickness burn (Like second-degree) | Both the top layer of the skin (epidermis) and the layer underneath it (dermis) are damaged. | The skin becomes red and blisters form . There is a lot of pain. These can take two to three weeks to heal. A small scar may also be left. It is wise to seek medical attention for a burn like this. |
| Full-thickness burn (Like third-degree) | All layers of the skin are destroyed, even the fatty tissue underneath is damaged. | The skin appears white, gray, or black after being burned. It may feel like leather. Most importantly, these burns are painless . This is because the nerve endings in the skin are destroyed. This is a very serious condition and requires immediate hospitalization . |
Remember, less pain from a burn does not mean it is less serious. Sometimes, the deepest burns are completely painless.
What are the symptoms of a burn?
Symptoms can vary depending on the type and depth of the burn. Common symptoms include:
- Inflammation and pain: Extreme pain is felt, especially in superficial and partial-thickness burns.
- Skin discoloration: The skin may become red, gray or white, or black.
- Swelling: Swelling at the burn site is normal.
- Blistering: The formation of water-filled blisters is a key feature of partial-thickness burns.
- Skin peeling: The top layer of skin may peel off at the burn site.
What complications can occur from a burn?
While a minor burn may not be a big problem, deep and extensive burns can cause serious complications.
Common complications
- Infections: A burn is a breakdown of the skin's protective barrier, which makes it easier for germs to enter and cause infections.
- Scarring: Deep burns are more likely to leave scars on the skin after they heal.
- Swelling (Edema): Fluid can accumulate at the burn site and sometimes in other parts of the body, causing swelling.
Potentially serious complications
Large and deep burns can be life-threatening.
- Dehydration and shock: As a large amount of fluid evaporates from the burned skin, the body can become dehydrated and go into shock.
- Breathing difficulties: If areas such as the face and neck are burned or if smoke is inhaled, the airways may swell and make it difficult to breathe.
- Hypothermia: When the skin is damaged, the body's temperature cannot be controlled, and the body temperature can drop dangerously low.
- Sepsis: A life-threatening condition caused by an uncontrolled infection that spreads throughout the body.
- Damage to internal organs: Burning can damage organs such as the kidneys, which filter harmful substances that accumulate in the blood.
Very important: Do's and don'ts for a burn!
This is the most important part of this article. By not panicking immediately after a burn, and by doing the right thing, you can greatly reduce the damage that can be caused.
| Things to do (DOs) in case of a burn | |
|---|---|
| 1. Eliminate the cause of the burn. | If there is a fire, leave the area immediately. If you have spilled hot water on your clothing, carefully remove it. If you have been electrocuted, turn off the main switch. |
| 2. Apply water to the burned area. | Hold the burn under cool running water for 10-20 minutes . Never use cold water or ice. This will reduce the pain and stop the burn from penetrating deeper into the skin. |
| 3. Keep the burn area clean. | After applying water, cover with a clean cloth or non-stick bandage. |
| 4. Seek medical advice. | If the burn is larger than the size of your palm, has blisters, or seems deep, definitely see a doctor. |
| Don't make these mistakes! (DON'Ts) | |
|---|---|
| 1. Don't throw things at home! | Do not apply anything to the burn, such as toothpaste, butter, coconut oil, coffee grounds, ice, salt, egg yolk, or soap . These can cause infection and make the burn worse. |
| 2. Don't put ice! | Ice can constrict the blood vessels that supply blood to the skin, further damaging the burned tissue. So only use plain cold water. |
| 3. Don't break the blisters! | Blisters are a natural defense for the skin underneath. If they are broken, there is a high risk of germs entering and causing infection. |
| 4. Do not put cotton wool on the burn. | Cotton wool fibers can stick to the wound, so use a clean cloth or something like gauze. |
When should you go to a hospital (ETU) immediately?
Not all burns can be treated at home. In the following cases, you should definitely and immediately go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
- Major Burn: A semi-thickness (blistered) burn larger than the size of your palm.
- Deep burns: A full-thickness (painless, white/black) burn of any size.
- Sensitive areas: A burn involving the face, eyes, ears, hands, feet, genital areas, or a major joint (elbow, knee).
- Electrical or chemical burns: These definitely require a medical examination as they may be more damaging on the inside than they appear on the outside.
- Difficulty breathing: If you have inhaled smoke or have difficulty breathing due to burns to your neck or face.
- Signs of an infection: If the burn is draining pus, has a bad odor, the skin around it is red and swollen, or has a fever.
- Young children and the elderly: because their skin is more sensitive and the risk of complications is higher.
What can we do to prevent burns?
"Prevention is better than cure," they say. 90% of burns can be prevented.
- Be careful in the kitchen: When cooking, keep pots and pans turned inside out. Make sure children are not nearby when removing hot items from the stove.
- Be careful with hot water: Keep the water heater temperature below 49 Celsius (120 Fahrenheit). Be sure to check the water temperature before bathing young children.
- Be careful with electrical appliances: Unplug appliances like irons and hair straighteners when not in use and keep them out of reach of children. Do not use appliances with broken wires.
- Educate children: Teach children about the dangers of playing with fire, matches, and lighters.
- Protect yourself from the sun: If you are going to be in the sun, use a sunscreen with at least SPF 50.
Take-Home Message
- The first thing to do after a burn is to hold it under cool running water for 10-20 minutes.
- Never apply toothpaste, butter, ice, coconut oil, or coffee grounds to a burned area for any reason.
- Never pop blisters that are filled with fluid. This increases the risk of infection.
- If the burn is larger than your palm, is deep, or is in a sensitive area such as the face, hands, or feet, you should definitely see a doctor.
- If you have a burn from an electric shock or chemical, or if you are showing signs of infection, go to a hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) immediately.
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