Burns​

What Are Burns?

Burns are tissue injuries that can be caused by fire, steam, or hot liquids, radiation, friction, electricity, or chemicals. They damage your skin, leading to skin cell death.

What are the types of burns? 

There are three types of burns, including:

• First-degree burns — Affect only the outer layer of skin and cause pain, redness, and swelling.
• Second-degree burns — Also called partial thickness burns, second-degree burns affect the outer and underlying layers of skin. In addition to symptoms of first-degree burns, they may also cause blistering.
• Third-degree burns — Also called full-thickness burns, third-degree burns affect deep layers of skin. They cause white or charred skin and may cause nerve damage.

Burns are also categorized into major burns and minor burns:

• Minor burns — Include all first-degree burns and small second-degree burns.
• Major burns — Include large second-degree burns, second-degree burns on critical areas such as the hands, feet, face, groin, buttocks, or joints, and all third-degree burns. Major burns require emergency medical care.

How can you tell if a burn is first-, second-, or third-degree?

You can typically tell if a burn is first-, second-, or third-degree based on symptoms and the skin's appearance.

How common are burns?

Burns are common. Minor burns may be treated at home or at your doctor’s office. Major burns require emergency medical care.

What causes burns?

Burns can be caused by:

• Chemicals.
• Electricity.
• Flames and fires.
• Scalding from steam or hot liquids.
• Touching hot objects.

Common causes of burns include:

• Campfires or fire pits.
• Car accidents.
• Faulty heaters, furnaces, or industrial equipment.
• Fireworks.
• House and industrial fires.
• Kitchen or other household accidents.
• Playing with matches or lighters.

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What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Burns?

Symptoms of burns may include:

• Blisters.
• Pain.
• Peeling skin.
• Red, white, or charred skin.
• Shock.
• Swelling.

Burns can also affect your airway and cause symptoms, including:

• Coughing.
• Black-stained or dark mucus.
• Difficulty breathing.
• Hoarse voice or other voice changes.
• Wheezing.

When should I see a doctor about my burn symptoms?

Minor burns can often be treated at home or at the doctor’s office. Major burns require emergency care.

You should dial 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if:

• The burn is caused by chemicals or electricity.
• The burn is the size of your palm or larger.
• The burn occurs in a child, older adult, or a person with a weakened immune system.
• The skin is white or charred.
• You can’t tell if the burn is serious or not.
• You notice other concerning symptoms.
• You notice signs of dehydration, shock, or infection.
• You suspect an airway burn or inhaled smoke.
• You suspect or know that the burn was caused by physical abuse.

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How Do You Diagnose Burns?

Your doctor will diagnose a burn during a physical exam.

What to expect during your visit

To diagnose a burn, your doctor will:

• Perform a physical exam.
• Ask about your medical history.
• Ask you about the cause of the burn.
• Review your medications.

Tests to diagnose burns

There are no specific tests to diagnose burns. However, if you are in shock or experience other complications, your doctor may order blood or urine tests, a chest x-ray to check your lungs and airways, or an electrocardiogram (EKG) to check your heart rhythm.

Burn prognosis

Your prognosis after a burn depends on the type of burn, the area of the body that is affected, your age and overall health, and other factors. Your doctor will discuss your prognosis with you.

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How Do You Treat Burns?

Most minor burns can be treated at home by:

• Running cool water over the burn or soaking it in cool water for five to 30 minutes.
• Covering the burn with a clean dressing.
• Using over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen to manage discomfort.
• Using a lotion with aloe and an antibiotic cream to help with healing.

Major burns need emergency care. Treatment options for major burns may include:

Nonsurgical treatments for burns

Nonsurgical treatment options may include:

• Advanced burn dressing — Uses specialized bandages and medications to promote burn healing.
• Bioengineered skin substitutes — Grafts that are applied to burns to promote healing of damaged skin.
• Systemic hyperbaric oxygen therapy — A treatment where you breathe 100 percent oxygen in a pressurized chamber to increase oxygen levels in your blood and promote healing.

Surgical treatments for burns

Our burn care team includes experienced vascular and plastic surgeons who can assess and treat a wide range of burns. We offer procedures for all types of burns to improve circulation and promote healing.

Surgical treatment options for burns may include:

• Burn debridement — Involves removing infected or nonviable tissue from the site of a burn to speed healing.
• Surgical skin grafting — Involves transplanting skin from another area on your body to promote healing.

What should I do if a burn isn’t healing?

If you have a burn that isn’t healing as expected, you should schedule an appointment with your doctor right away. Getting early treatment for a nonhealing burn can reduce scarring, lower the risk of complications, and improve function.

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