Types of burns (first, second and third degree) and what is their treatment

A burn causes tissue damage depending on its intensity and can cause minor conditions or emergencies that can be fatal.

Depending on your level of severity, burns can be: first, second and third degree, and according to that order is its treatment. In some cases, such as sunburn, they can be treated at home, but if they are deeper they require specialized medical attention and more extensive therapy.

The burns usually occur in the home and work environment, but most are preventable, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Heat, radiation, electricity, friction or contact with chemical agents can cause thermal burns through:

• hot liquids
• Contact with hot solid objects
• flame burns

types of burns

Depending on the degree of the skin lesions, the symptoms of severe burns may take one or two days to develop, describes a study by the specialized entity Mayo Clinic. According to these symptoms is its classification.

• first degree burn

This burn is mild and affects only the outer layer of skin called the epidermis. It can cause redness and pain.

• Second degree burn

It affects both the epidermis and the second layer of skin: the dermis. It can cause swelling and make the skin look red, white, or blotchy. Blisters may form and the pain may be severe. These types of deep burns can leave visible scars.

• third degree burn

this burn reaches the layer of fat under the skin. Burned areas may be black, brown, or white. The skin may have a leathery, leathery appearance. These burns can destroy nerves, causing numbness.

Causes

The different causes that can cause burns and that have to do with direct or indirect contact with heat. These are:

• Fire, flame, or explosion (such as tampering with fireworks)
• hot liquid or steam
• Contact with metal, glass or other hot objects
• Electric current
• Radiation, such as from x-rays
• Sunlight and other sources of ultraviolet radiation, such as a tanning bed
• Chemicals such as acids, bleach, paint thinner or gasoline, and many other products.

First aid and treatment

Once the types of burns are known, it is necessary to know the basic guidelines to treat them. The World Health Organization recommends the following:

• What to do with a burn

Stop the burn process by removing clothing and moisturizing the affected parts.

Extinguish flames by rolling person on floor, covering with blanket, or using water to extinguish fire.

Use cool water to reduce the temperature of the burn.

In case of chemical burns, remove or dilute the chemical agent by irrigating with large amounts of water.

Wrap the patient in a clean cloth or sheet and transport him to the most immediate health service.

• What not to do with a burn

Ensure your own safety before providing first aid. In the event of a chemical burn, protective gloves should be worn.

Do not apply ointments, oil to the burn or any other type of topical medication. Also do not use cotton on it.

Do not apply icebecause it will only deepen the injury.

Irrigation with water should not be prolonged, as it can cause hypothermia.

Do not break blisters until these can be treated with antibiotic ointments.

Avoid direct contact of the wound with any type of tissue, to avoid infection.

Treatment

Burns that turn out to be minor can be treated at home and heal within days to weeks. For medium and severe injuries, this recommends Mayo Clinicafter receiving first aid:

Sunburn

These types of burns usually appear over time and are not so obvious, so it is advisable to have periodic evaluations. Depending on the type of injury, symptoms may be relieved.

For pain, you can take a pain reliever such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. In addition, the skin should be refreshed with a clean towel moistened with fresh water or take a bath with baking soda, approximately 60 grams. Apply an aloe vera cream or gel or a lotion with calamine.

Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration and avoid further exposure to the sun.

chemical burns

Must be seek medical attention if burns involve hands, feet, face, groin, buttocks, a joint or a large region of the body. It is important to take first aid and request the evaluation of an expert in these cases.

Other type of burn

Medical treatment for burns varies and is supplemented by medications or even physical therapy, surgery, and other methods. There are treatments for scarring, such as the use of ointments or dressings, or the use of medicine such as intravenous antibiotics to combat infection.

Surgery and more advanced treatment

If the burns are more severe, respiratory support, skin grafting, or scar reconstruction may be used.

Prevention

There are several risk factors that can cause a burn, so according to the WHO, these are the safety measures that should be taken:

• Hide matches, lighters and leave any type of flammable material out of the reach of children.
• Do not leave lit candles or near children.
• Avoid smoking at home and especially in bed. Before disposing of residue from the ashtray, sprinkle water on it.
• Keep a fire extinguisher and learn how to use it in emergencies.
• Teach children what to do if their clothes catch fire. Show them that they should not run, drop to the ground and roll to put out the flames.
• Determine which are the emergency exits in your home in case of a fire. Remember that to get out you have to crawl on the floor in areas where smoke is concentrated.

Who is at risk for burns?

According to the WHO, the rate of cases and deaths from burns is slightly higher in women than in men. This is because women are more exposed associated with outdoor cooking or other hazards in those spaces.

Along with the women, children are another particularly vulnerable group to burns, being the fifth most common cause of injuries during childhood. In many cases the greatest risk is the lack of parental supervision.

In figures

In Guatemala, for exampleeach year there are an average of 50,000 cases of children who suffer burns due to incidents Most of them happen at home. 70% of patients suffer from burns due to spillage of hot liquids and the majority of affected children are between 0 and 4 years of age.

The second cause of pediatric burns is due to fire and the third, due to electricity or mishandling of fireworks.