Definition
Types of Burn Injury
Thermal Burns
- Due to external heat sources that raise skin and tissue temperature causing tissue cell death or charring
- Flame: Most common type of burn
- Inhalational injury: Found in 30% of victims of major flame burns
- History of flame burns or burns in an enclosed space
- Full-thickness or deep dermal burns to face, neck, or upper torso
- Singed nasal hair
- Carbonaceous sputum or carbon particles in oropharynx
- Charred lips, carbonaceous secretions
- Posterior pharynx edema
- Hoarseness, cough or wheezing
- Scald/contact: Usually found in skin that comes in contact with hot objects
Chemical Burns
- Due to strong acids, alkalis, detergents or solvents coming into contact with the skin
- Tissues are damaged by protein coagulation or liquefaction rather than hyperthermic activity
Electrical Burns
- Due to electrical current or lightning coming in contact with the body
- The extent of injury correlates with the voltage of the electric shock and although not initially apparent, is often extensive, involving skeletal muscles and other tissues
Signs and Symptoms
Alarm Signs
- The following are alarm signs and necessitate admission
- Burns >10-15% of the total body surface area (BSA)
- Burns associated with smoke inhalation
- Burns involving hands, feet, face, perineum and joint surfaces
- Burns resulting from high-tension electrical injuries
- Circumferential full-thickness burns