Download Burns

Types of Burns
• Thermal
• Chemical
• Electrical
• Energy (laser, welding, etc.
• The most important function of the skin is
to act as a barrier against infection. The
skin prevents loss of body fluids, thus
preventing dehydration.
• When the skin is burned, these functions
are impaired or lost completely.
• Because of the importance of the skin, it
becomes clear that injury can be
traumatic and life threatening.
The skin, the largest organ of the body, consists of two layers-the epidermis
and dermis. The depth or degree of burn depends on which layers of skin are
damaged or destroyed. The epidermis is the outer layer that forms the
protective covering. The thicker or inner layer of the dermis contains blood
vessels, hair follicles, nerve endings, sweat and sebaceous glands. When the
dermis is destroyed, so are the nerve endings that allow a person to feel pain,
temperature, and tactile sensation.
1. First degree burn: affects only the epidermis
2. Second degree burn: affects epidermis and
upper part of the dermis
3. 3rd degree burn: affects epidermis, all of the
dermis and into the tissue below
4. 4th degree burn: affects the same area as 3rd
degree and continues down to muscle
Burn Scoring:
This measures the
percentage of the body
burned.
First aid for minor burns
• Cool the burn. Hold the burned area under cold
running water for at least five minutes, or until the
pain subsides. If this is impractical, immerse the
burn in cold water or cool it with cold compresses.
Cooling the burn reduces swelling by conducting
heat away from the skin. Don't put ice on the burn.
• Cover the burn with a sterile gauze bandage.
• Take an over-the-counter pain reliever.
First Aid for Major Burns
• Dial 911
• Don't remove burnt clothing. However, do make sure the
victim is no longer in contact with smoldering materials or
exposed to smoke or heat.
• Don't immerse large severe burns in cold water. Doing
so could cause shock.
• Check for signs of circulation (breathing, coughing or
movement).
• Elevate the burned body part or parts. Raise above
heart level, when possible.
• Cover the area of the burn. Use a cool, moist, sterile
bandage; clean, moist cloth; or moist towels.