• Injuries due to heat/ chemicals/ electricity/ radiation

• Common heat injuries due to fire, hot liquids, steam

• Burns due to heat / chemicals - through skin contact

• Severe burns affect muscles, fat and bones

• Older people/ children - particularly vulnerable

Categories of burns

• First, second and third degree

• Categorization depends on severity of tissue damage

• Check extent of burn before deciding self treatment

• Seek help if burn is over a couple of inches in diameter, or

• If it involves large sections of the hands, feet, face, groin or buttocks, or a major joint

 First-degree burns

• Injuries are superficial / mild

• Swelling& redness of the injured area

• Pain develops

• No blisters seen

• Burned area becomes white on touch

• Takes 3-6 days to heal

 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, if required

 Second-degree burns

• Burns extends to middle skin layer, dermis

• Swelling, redness and pain observed

• Burnt area may turn white on touch

• Blisters develop, that ooze a clear fluid

• Scars may develop

• Restricts movement, if injury occurs at joint

• Dehydration may occur

• Healing time varies, depends on extent of injury

 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 is essential

 Third-degree burns

• Damage occurs to all 3 skin layers

• Destroys adjacent hair follicles, sweat glands, nerve endings

• Lack of pain due to destroyed nerves

• Injured area does not turn white on touch

• No blisters observed

• Swelling occurs

• Skin develops leathery texture

• Discoloration of skin observed

• Scars develop

• Crusty surfaces (Eschars) develop-impairs circulation

• Dehydration occurs resulting in shock

• Symptoms may worsen with time

• Disfigurement may result

• Healing depends on extent of injury

• 90% body surface injury results in death

• 60% injury in elderly, fatal

 Treatment

• Requires immediate hospital care

• Dehydration treated through intravenous fluid supply

• Oxygen is administered

• Eschars are surgically opened

• Periodically run clean cool water over burns

• Nutritious diet helps to heal quickly

• Regular monitoring essential

• Mental Depression treated by anti-depressants

 Prevention

• Install smoke alarm in your home

• Employ 'children friendly' safety measures at home

• Avoid synthetic clothing while cooking

• Carry out fire drills at home and work place