Burn Injury- Let’s learn

A burn is a type of injury which damages layers of skin (such as epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis).

Causes (examples of burn injury)

• Contact with flame, hot liquids, steams, chemicals etc..
• Heat generated due to an explosion
• Passage of electricity through the human body for a longer time

Types of Burn Injury (degree of burn)

First-degree burns are called a superficial burn which damages only the epidermis, the first layer of skin. Symptoms: Skin may get red.

Second degree burns damages both the epidermis and the dermis (the dermis is the second layer of skin). Symptoms: These burns are painful. The injured area can swell and appear red with blisters.

Third-degree burns damage through the epidermis and dermis and affect deeper tissues. Symptoms: The injured area can appear charred and may be black, white, or deep red.

Fourth-degree burns are deeper, damage the skin, fat, muscle and maybe bones.

Rule of Nines

The burn size (per cent %) can be assessed through the diagram (shown below) called the Rule of Nines.

The severity of a burn injury may depend on the followings:

• Degree of the burn
• Percentage of the skin burned
• Age of the injured person
• Other parameters: the body part which is affected, inhalation of any toxic gases or smoke, type of burn, medical condition of the victim etc.