Burns are among the most excruciatingly painful physical injuries. A burn occurs when the skin or any other body organ come in contact with heat, radiation, electricity or chemicals for a period long enough to cause damage. Burns can affect many body parts aside from the site of the burn. Nerves, blood vessels, bones, muscles and other areas may be involved when another part of the body is injured. For example, the respiratory system may be hampered or shut down from smoke inhalation and the kidneys and heart may be damaged from fluctuations in the balance of fluids and electrolytes following a burn. Usually infants and the elderly have more serious reactions to burns and also more extended healing processes. People with other health problems may suffer more serious damage as well, due to lowered resistance.
While working in kitchen or laboratory one should be very careful as even a minor burn can be intensely painful.
**If present when a victim suffers an electrical burn, turn off the source of power as soon as possible. Do not touch the victim with bare hands. Try to move the victim with some non-conductive material like a wooden chair or board. Check for breathing and start mouth-to-mouth resuscitation if necessary. Call for immediate emergency help.
**In the case of chemical burns, put the affected area under a faucet and let cool water at medium pressure rinse the wound for at least 15 minutes. Take immediate help of a doctor.
According to the severity of burns on the skin they are put into three categories. These classes are first, second and third degree burns.
1. First degree burns: The first-degree burn usually produces a pink to reddish color on the burned skin. Mild swelling, tenderness and pain are also symptoms of a first-degree burn. This is the least serious type of burn and involves only the upper layer of skin, the epidermis. For these minor burns, the victim should cool with plain water and use non-prescription antibiotic creams. These burns usually heal on with time. In case of children, consultation with doctor is must.
2. Second-degree burns: Second-degree burns involve the epidermis and the second skin layer, the dermis. The epidermis is much destroyed and burned. There are the same symptoms of pain and swelling but the skin color is usually a bright red and blisters are produced. Usually second-degree burns produce scarring. Second degree burns may take from one to three weeks to heal but are considered minor if they cover no more than 15% of the total body area in adults and 10% body area in children. These burns require medical attention and medication to heal properly.
3. Third-degree burns:
The third-degree burn may appear charred or have patches which appear white, brown or black. Both the dermis and epidermis are destroyed and other organs, tissues and bones may also be involved. Third-degree burns are considered the most serious. They produce deep scars that many times require cosmetic or reconstructive surgery and skin grafts. Pain may or may not be present since usually nerve endings which transmit pain have been destroyed in this type burn.
Possible complications from burns include infection, tetanus, scarring, pneumonia and shock. Shock may set in due to the fluid and electrolyte loss in a serious burn.
Never try to remove jewelry or clothing from a burn victim before reaching a hospital if those items seem stuck to the skin.
