Burns
Burns can occur in a variety of situations
and involve a number of agents, such as boiling water, fireworks
igniting at the wrong time, and chemical burns from strong acids.
All types of burns have one thing in common-they are extremely
painful. The most common type of burn is a thermal burn, when
unprotected skin comes in contact with a heated surface for too
long.
About 2 million patients visit emergency
departments each year with burn injuries. About 100,000 of these
patients are hospitalized, with 12,000 having fatal injuries.
The highest at-risk group for burns is the 18-to 35-year-old age
group, with males being twice as likely to sustain burn injuries
and fatalities.
Children under four years of age are especially
vulnerable to burn injuries due to their inexperience and natural
sense of curiosity. Because it is so difficult for children to
recover from burns, parents with small children should take extra
precautions to keep children away from situations which are potentially
dangerous.
Types of Burns
Thermal burns are categorized according
to the depth of the burn; the deeper the burn, the more significant
the injury. First-degree burns involve the superficial or top
layer of the skin (the epidermis), and are the most common types
of burns. These types of burns usually involve prolonged exposure
to the sun, and result in painful and red skin with no blister
formation. These burns heal within seven days with no scarring.
Partial-thickness burns, often called
second-degree burns, can be either superficial or deep. Superficial
partial-thickness burns are similar to first-degree burns in that
the outer layers of skin are involved, but these burns also involve
the deeper layers (the dermis). These burns are usually a result
of contact with hot liquids, and involve blister formation, under
which the skin is red and moist. If the blisters break, the wounds
heal in 14 to 21 days, and may leave a scar, depending on the
severity of the burn.
Deep partial-thickness burns, sometimes
called deep second-degree burns, involve deeper layers of the
dermis. The hair follicles and sweat glands are damaged, but usually
recover in time. These burns are usually caused by hot liquids,
steam or flames, and the skin is blistered/charred and tender.
Healing usually takes three to four weeks, and scarring is present,
the extent of which depends on the depth of the dermal injury.
Surgical repair or grafting is necessary with some deep second-degree
burns.
Third-degree (full-thickness) burns
involve the entire thickness of the skin, which includes the epidermis,
dermis and sub-dermal fat. All epidermal and dermal structures
are destroyed, and the skin is charred, pale and leathery. These
burns are typically the result of exposure to flame, steam or
hot oil, and do not heal spontaneously. Surgical repair and/or
skin grafts are necessary and there is usually significant scarring.
Fourth-degree burns are the most
devastating burns because the injury extends into the muscle and
bone. These are life-threatening injuries, and should be treated
at a burn unit by professionals who are trained and equipped to
handle such injuries.
Treatment
Most burns are simple first- and second-degree
burns, and treatment for these burns is relatively simple. Minor
burns are usually covered with a thin layer of antibiotic ointment
(usually silver sulfadiazine) and then covered with a gauze dressing.
Although Silvadene is the most commonly used ointment, it cannot
be used on the face or for those who are allergic to sulfa drugs.
Other burn medications are ophthalmic gentamicin ointment, Neosporin
or Bacitracin. Burn patients are also often given medication to
alleviate pain.
Dressings should be removed once or twice
a day, and the burn should be washed and dressed with fresh antibiotic
ointment. This regimen should continue for seven to ten days,
after which the burn is usually healed. The most common burn complications
are infections. Injuries which appear to be infected (red, painful,
or swelling, or oozing pus) should be examined by a physician
immediately.
Like the majority of injuries seen in emergency
departments, burns are avoidable in most cases. A careful evaluation
of the home and workplace environment may greatly reduce the possibility
of burn injuries, particularly when young children are involved.
If you have questions regarding burn injuries
or other medical conditions of an urgent nature, please call the
St. Elizabeth Emergency Department at 225-647-5000, or consult
your primary care physician.
St. Elizabeth Hospital's Emergency Department is the premiere
emergent care facility in Ascension Parish. It is open 24 hours
a day, and is staffed by highly trained doctors and nurses who
are committed to the health and safety of the residents of Ascension
Parish.
<< Previous Page
