Introduction to burns

The skin has an important role to play in the fluid and temperature regulation of the
body. If enough skin area is injured, the ability to maintain that control can be lost.
The skin also acts as a protective barrier against the bacteria and viruses that inhabit
the world outside the body.

The anatomy of the skin is complex, and there are many structures within the layers of
the skin. There are three layers:

1. Epidermis, the outer layer of the skin

2. Dermis, made up of collagen and elastic fibers and where nerves, blood
vessels, sweat glands, and hair follicles reside.

3. Hypodermis or subcutaneous tissue, where larger blood vessels and nerves are
located. This is the layer of tissue that is most important in temperature
regulation.

The amount of damage that a burn can cause depends upon its location, its depth, and
how much body surface area that it involves.

How are burns classified?

Burns are classified based upon their depth.

A first degree burn is superficial and causes local inflammation of the skin.
Sunburns often are categorized as first degree burns. The inflammation is
characterized by pain, redness, and a mild amount of swelling. The skin may be very
tender to touch.

Second degree burns are deeper and in addition to the pain, redness and
inflammation, there is also blistering of the skin.

Third degree burns are deeper still, involving all layers of the skin, in effect killing
that area of skin. Because the nerves and blood vessels are damaged, third degree
burns appear white and leathery and tend to be relatively painless.

Burns are not static and may mature. Over a few hours a first degree burn may
involve deeper structures and become second degree. Think of a sunburn that blisters
the next day. Similarly, second degree burns may evolve into third degree burns.

Regardless of the type of burn, inflammation and fluid accumulation in and around
the wound occur. Moreover, it should be noted that the skin is the body's first defense
against infection by microorganisms. A burn is also a break in the skin, and the risk of
infection exists both at the site of the injury and potentially throughout the body.

Only the epidermis has the ability to regenerate itself. Burns that extend deeper may
cause permanent injury and scarring and not allow the skin in that area to return to
normal function.
What is the significance of the amount of body area burned?

In addition to the depth of the burn, the total area of the burn is significant. Burns are
measured as a percentage of total body area affected. The "rule of nines" is often
used, though this measurement is adjusted for infants and children. This calculation is
based upon the fact that the surface area of the following parts of an adult body each
correspond to approximately 9% of total (and the total body area of 100% is
achieved):

• Head = 9%

• Chest (front) = 9%

• Abdomen (front) = 9%

• Upper/mid/low back and buttocks = 18%

• Each arm = 9%

• Each palm = 1%

• Groin = 1%

• Each leg = 18% total (front = 9%, back = 9%)

As an example, if both legs (18% x 2 = 36%), the groin (1%) and the front chest and
abdomen were burned, this would involve 55% of the body.
Only second and third degree burn areas are added together to measure total body
burn area. While first degree burns are painful, the skin integrity is intact and it is able
to do its job with fluid and temperature maintenance.

If more than15%-20% of the body is involved in a burn, significant fluid may be lost.
Shock may occur if inadequate fluid is not provided intravenously. The Parkland
formula (named for the trauma hospital in Dallas) estimates the amount of fluid
required in the first few hours of care following a burn:

• 4cc/ kg of weight/% burn = initial fluid requirement in the first 24 hours, with
half given in the first 8 hours.

• As an example: A 175lb (or 80kg) patient with 25% burn will need 4cc x 80kg
x 25%, or 8000cc of fluid in the first 24 hours, or more than 7 pounds of fluid.

As the percentage of burn surface area increases, the risk of death increases as well.
Patients with burns involving less than 20% of their body should do well, but those
with burns involving greater than 50% have a significant mortality risk, depending
upon a variety of factors, including underlying medical conditions and age.

How important is the location of a burn?

Burn location is an important consideration.

If the burn involves the face, nose, mouth or neck, there is a risk that there will be
enough inflammation and swelling to obstruct the airway and cause breathing
problems.

If there are circumferential burns to the chest, as the burn progresses, the tissue
involved may not allow enough motion of the chest wall to allow adequate breathing
to occur. If circumferential burns occur to arms, legs, fingers, or toes, the same
constriction may not allow blood flow and put the survival of the extremity at risk.
Burns to areas of the body with flexion creases, like the palm of the hand, the back of
the knee, the face, and the groin may need specialized care. As the burn matures, the
skin may scar and shorten, preventing full range of motion of the body area.

What about electrical burns?

Electrical burns may cause serious injury that is not readily apparent. Often the entry
and exit points for the electrical shock may not be easily found.

Electricity flows more easily through tissues in the body that are designed to deal with
electricity. Nerves and muscles are "wired" for this task and often are damaged. If
significant muscle damage occurs, muscle fibers and chemicals can be released into
the bloodstream causing electrolyte disturbances and kidney failure.

What about chemical burns?

Burns can also occur when chemicals are spilled onto the body and generate a
reaction that creates heat. Chemical burns may be classified by their pH or acidity.

• Acids are those with pH less than 7 and include common household
compounds like acetic acid, hydrochloric acid, or sulfuric acid.

• Bases or alkali compounds have a pH greater than 7. Ammonia is a common

alkali found in the home.

First aid for burns

For major burns (second and third degree burns)

1. Remove the victim from the burning area, remembering not to put the rescuer
in danger.

2. Remove any burning material from the patient.

3. Call 911 or activate the emergency response system in your area if needed.

4. Once the victim is in a safe place, keep them warm and still. Try to wrap the
injured areas in a clean sheet if available. DO NOT use cold water on the
victim; this may drop the body temperature and cause hypothermia.
Burns of the face, hands, and feet should always be considered a significant injury
(although this may exclude sunburn.

For minor burns (first degree burns or second degree burns involving a small
area of the body)

• Gently clean the wound with lukewarm water.

• Though butter has been used as a home remedy, it should NOT be used on any
burn.

• Rings, bracelets, and other potentially constricting articles should be removed

(edema, or swelling from inflammation may occur and the item may cut into
the skin).

• The burn may be dressed with a topical antibiotic ointment like Bacitracin or
Neosporin.

• If there is concern that the burn is deeper and may be second or third degree in
nature, medical care should be accessed.

• Tetanus immunization should be updated if needed.

For electrical burns

Victims of electrical burns should always seek medical care.

For chemical burns

1. Identify the chemical that was involved.

2. Contact the Poison Control Center in your area or your local hospital's
Emergency Department. The United States National Poison Hotline is 1-
800-222-1222. You will be automatically linked to the nearest poison control
center. Many chemical burns may be treated with local wound care. Some
chemicals can cause life- and limb-threatening injuries and need emergent
intervention.

3. Victims with chemical burns to their eyes should always seek emergency care.

http://www.medicinenet.com/burns/article.htm#tocb
The incidence of burns in developing countries is not precisely known due to
unavailability or incompleteness of death registration and disease reporting.A scar
prevalence of 6 per cent was found.No sex differences were foundHowever,
significant differences were found among age groups, with children aged 18–23
.(months having the highest incidence (57.4 per 1000 person-years
http://books.google.com/books?id=m_QnStA_JPsC&pg=PA788&lpg=PA788&dq=in
+cidence+and++prevalence
BurnRx is 100% botanical oils: essential & carrier plant oils formulated to stop burn
pain fast
Burn Types

First Degree Burn

Superficial - First degree burns typically take 3 to 6 days to
heal. The superficial or first layer of skin is damaged.
Examples of a superficial - First degree burn are: mild sunburns,
contact burn injuries, or heat burns.
Second Degree Burn
Superficial - Second degree burns usually heal in less than 3
weeks depending on severity. The deeper or thicker
the burned skin the longer the injury make take to heal.
Third Degree Burn
Deep - Third degree burns are severe and may require skin
graphs and a protracted recovery period - more than 3 weeks.
Full-thickness burns, without skin grafts, heal only at the edges
by scarring. A skin graft is a very thin layer of skin that is cut
from an unburned area on the body and put on a badly burned
area.

Step 3. Treatment

What can I do?

Minor Burn Injury
1. Soak the burn in cool water for 15 minutes.
2. Apply cool cloth to the burn for a few minutes each day.
3. Apply BurnRx (see below) to the burn and cover it with a dressing or
bandage.
4. Re-apply burn with BurnRx to promote healing.
5. Apply topical antibiotic to the burn to prevent infection if necessary.
6. If necessary, take over-the-counter pain medication to control pain.
7. If burn pain, redness, swelling persists or if there are signs of infection see
a physician.