An injury to tissue is caused as a result of excessive heat, sun exposure or exposure to radiation, or chemical and electrical contact. The burn can cause minor medical complications or can be fatal.

In most cases, burns are treated based on their severity and the site of the damage. In most cases, sunburns and small scalds may be treated at home. Injuries that are severe or widespread need to be treated immediately. Many people require months-long follow-up care and treatment in specialized burn centers.

They are of varying degrees of severity. It is your healthcare provider who determines the severity (degree) of a burn based on its depth and the area of affected skin. Getting burned can be painful. Left unattended, a burn can result in infection.

The number of people who suffer burn injuries to the emergency department each year approaches half a million. Kids are at particularly high risk. On any given day, more than 300 children receive burn injury treatment in emergency rooms.

People of all ages can suffer accidental burns, but children, teenagers, and the elderly are the most vulnerable. People of these ages are more likely to sustain injuries through cooking, such as burning their hands in boiling water. Additionally, young people are more likely to get sunburned or mess around with lighters, matches, and fireworks than adults.

Some trusted data

• Over 180 000 people die every year from burns, most of them in developing nations.
• The injuries that do not result in death are one of the leading causes of morbidity.
• It is most common for burns to occur in the home and the workplace.
• It can be prevented.

When a person experiences heat burns, some or all of the cells in their skin or other body tissues are destroyed by:

• Liquids that are too hot (scalds)
• Hot solids (contact burns), or
• Flames (flames burn).

It is an epidemic of public health concern that accounts for approximately 180 000 deaths each year. Two-thirds of these diseases affect low- and middle-income countries, as well as South-East Asia and Africa.

In some countries, deaths have been decreasing for some time, but in low- and middle-income countries, childern deaths are over seven times higher than in high-income countries.

Most non-fatal burns result in hospitalization, disfigurement, and disability, often resulting in social isolation and rejection.

• It is estimated that burns account for nearly half of all disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost in low and middle-income countries.

• Over 11 million people were burned enough that they needed medical attention in 2004.

What are the types of burn?

It can be categorized into three types: first-degree, second-degree, and third-degree. The degree of skin damage is determined first by the least severe damage to the skin and then by the most severe damage to the skin. Examples of skin damage include:

• First degree: red, non-blistering skin
• Second degree: blisters and some thickening of the skin
• Third degree: thick and white with a leathery texture

Burns of a fourth-degree degree are also present, this type includes all the symptoms of third-degree burns as well as damage to the tissues and bones beneath the skin.

First-degree burn

The skin is minimally damaged by first-degree. A superficial burn affects the outermost layer of skin, and is often called a "superficial burn.". A first-degree consists of the following symptoms:

• A red appearance
• Minor swelling or inflammation
• It's painful
• Result in dry, peeling skin

This type affects the top layer of skin, so you will no longer experience any signs and symptoms after you shed your skin cells. A first-degree usually heal within seven to ten days without leaving scars.

You should still see a doctor if a large area of skin is damaged, more than three inches, or if it's on your face or a major joint, such as:

• Knies
• Foot
• Ankle
• Backbone
• shoulder
• elbow
• Arms

The first degree is usually treated at home. You may get quicker results by treating the it sooner. The treatment for first-degree includes:

• Cool the wound with cool water for a minimum of five minutes
• As a pain reliever, take acetaminophen or ibuprofen
• To soothe the skin, use lidocaine (an anesthetic) combined with aloe vera gel or cream
• An antibacterial ointment and a fresh piece of gauze are used to protect the area

Using ice may exacerbate any damage you've already done. It is not advisable to use cotton balls on burns since their small fibers can adhere to the wound and lead to infection. As well, you should avoid using home remedies such as butter and eggs, as they have not been proven to work.

Second-degree burn

There is a greater danger with second-degree burns since they affect the outer layers of the skin. During this type of the skin blisters and becomes red and sore.

A blister that pops open can damage the skin, causing weeping and wetness. Fibrinous exudate, a thick, soft, scab-like tissue developing over a wound, may appear over time.

Since these wounds are delicate, the area needs to be kept clean and bandaged correctly to prevent infection. In addition, this helps to heal faster.

Although some conditions of the second degree take longer to heal than three weeks, most heal within two to three weeks without scarring, but often with skin pigment changes.

The more blisters there are, the longer it will take to heal the burn. Occasionally, skin grafting is required to fix severe damage. Skin grafting involves moving healthy skin from one part of the body to the damaged area.

When it comes to first-degree, stay away from cotton balls and questionable home remedies. Second-degree are generally treated as follows:

• Spend at least 15 minutes under cool water
• You may take acetaminophen or ibuprofen over-the-counter for pain.
• A cream containing antibiotics can be applied to blisters

When the burn is widespread, such as if any of the following occur, seek medical attention immediately.

• face
• Wrists
• Hips
• groin
• Foot

Third-degree burn

Third-degree burns are the most severe, except for fourth-degree burn/burns. They cause the greatest amount of damage, extending through all layers of the skin.

A common misconception is that third-degree burn/burns are the most painful. As a result, despite the extensive damage, there may have been no pain as a result of nerve damage.

The following are among the symptoms that can be seen with third-degree burns, depending on the cause:

• White waxy color
• char
• The color is dark brown
• Leathery and raised texture
• A blister that doesn't develop

Surgically treating these wounds results in severe scarring and contracture. For third-degree burn/burns, there is no definitive timeframe for complete spontaneous healing.

It is never advisable to self-treat third-degree burns/burns.

When you are waiting for medical treatment, lift the injury above your heart. Avoid getting undressed, but make sure your clothes don't get stuck to the burn/burns.

What are the causes of burns?

A variety of causes can result in burns, including:

• caused by hot, boiling liquids
• Due to chemical exposure
• From electrical currents
• Lighters, matches, and candles can all cause fires
• Sun exposure that is too much

Type does not depend on its cause. In the case of a scalding burn, the type of burn/burns can depend on how hot the liquid is and how long it stays on the skin.

Chemical and electrical burns warrant immediate medical attention because they can affect the inside of the body, even if skin damage is minor.

When to see a doctor

Seek emergency medical attention if you:

• A large area or a large joint of the body is burned, and it can also involve the hands, feet, face, groin, buttocks, and a large joint of the body.
• Deep burns, which are that affect all layers of the skin and even deeper tissues
• Skin that appears leathery due to burns
• Burn marks that appear charred or have black, brown, or white patches
• Chemical or electricity-induced burns
• You have trouble breathing or you have burns on your airways

While you are waiting for emergency assistance, take first-aid measures.

You should contact your doctor if you experience:

• A wound that oozes is red, swollen, and has increased pain are symptoms of infection
• When a blister or burn is large or doesn't heal in two weeks
• A new, unexplained symptom
• Scarring of significant magnitude

What are the complications?

Complications associated with third-degree, as opposed to first- and second-degree, include infection, blood loss, and shock--the latter of which can lead to death. Moreover, all types carry an infection risk because bacteria can pass through the broken skin.

Tetanus infection is another possible complication with burns, regardless of their severity. Tetanus is also a bacterial infection. As a consequence, the nervous system is affected, leading to weakness in muscles. As a general rule of thumb, you should get tetanus shots every ten years for every family member in your home to prevent this type of infection.

Those who suffer severe burns are at risk of hypothermia and hypovolemia as well. A dangerously low body temperature is characteristic of hypothermia. Despite seeming like an unexpected side effect of a burn, this condition occurs because excessive body heat is lost from the injury.

Whenever your body loses too much blood as a result of a burn, you develop hypervolemia or low blood volume.

What are the preventions?

To prevent them, the best approach is to prevent them from happening in the first place. Despite the fact that you may have burned while at work, most cases occur at home. Cases in infants and young children generally are more painful than burns in adults. To prevent at home, you can:

• Children should not be allowed in the kitchen when they are cooking.
• Turn the pot handles away from the stove.
• Put a fire extinguisher near or in the kitchen.
• Make sure smoke detectors are tested once a month.
• Smoke detectors should be replaced every ten years.
• If the water heater temperature exceeds 120 degrees Fahrenheit, it should be replaced.
• Be sure to measure the bath water's temperature before using it.
• Keeping matches and lighters locked up is a good idea.
• Install covers for electrical outlets.
• Check for exposed wires on electrical cords and discard them.
• Chemicals should be kept out of reach, and gloves should be worn when working with them.
• Sunscreen should be worn daily, as well as avoiding peak sunlight hours.
• Be sure that all smoking products have been stubbed out completely.
• Regularly clean your dryer's lint trap.

First aid

Here are some basic guidelines for administering first aid to victims.

Here's what to do

• Remove cloth from thearea and irrigate it to stop the burn/burns process.
• Allow the patient to roll on the ground, wrap them in a blanket, or use water or other fire-extinguishing liquids to extinguish the flames.
• Reduce the heat of the burn using cool running water.
• If you have chemical burns, you should remove or dilute the agent by irrigating with large volumes of water.
• Incorporate a clean sheet or cloth around the patient and transport him or her to the nearest medical facility.

Here’s what not to do

• Make sure you are safe before you begin when performing first aid (turn off the electrical current, wear gloves when handling chemicals, etc.).
• The paste, oil, Haldi (turmeric), and raw cotton should not be applied to the burn/burns.
• Ice should not be applied because it deepens the injury.
• Do not cool with water for too long because this will cause hypothermia.
• Blisters should not be opened until topical antimicrobials can be applied, for example, by a healthcare professional.
• Do not apply materials directly to wounds since they may become infected.
• You should not apply any topical medications to the patient until he/she is under medical care.