Facts About Burns
The burn degree isn’t the only factor that determines if it is serious.
A burn is any injury to tissues of the body caused by heat, electricity, chemicals or radiation. Each year, more than one million people in the U.S. have a serious burn, which are a leading cause of accidental death. Burns are classified by degree – first, second, or third – but the burn degree isn’t the only thing that determines how serious it is.
Third-Degree Burns
The most serious injuries are third-degree burns, which destroy all the layers of skin, and may damage the underlying tissue.
Third-degree burns are typically caused by contact with hot liquid, flames, or electricity. After being burned, the skin appears white, pearly, or leathery.
The destruction of skin layers eventually turns the skin brown or black, gives it a leathery appearance, and often causes the skin to separate from the surrounding tissue. The nerve endings are destroyed, and therefore these burns usually are not painful.
The skin must be replaced either through transplantation or grafting. Treating third-degree burns usually involves debridement, which is the removal of dead skin, and surgical skin grafting. All third-degree burns require immediate medical care, as well as follow-up medical care.
Third-degree burns are typically caused by contact with hot liquid, flames, or electricity. After being burned, the skin appears white, pearly, or leathery.
The destruction of skin layers eventually turns the skin brown or black, gives it a leathery appearance, and often causes the skin to separate from the surrounding tissue. The nerve endings are destroyed, and therefore these burns usually are not painful.
The skin must be replaced either through transplantation or grafting. Treating third-degree burns usually involves debridement, which is the removal of dead skin, and surgical skin grafting. All third-degree burns require immediate medical care, as well as follow-up medical care.
First-Degree and Second-Degree Burns
First-degree burns affect the outer layer of skin, called the epidermis, and cause pain, redness, and swelling. A sunburn is an example of a first-degree burn. Most of these burns heal on their own. However, some first-degree burns require medical treatment.
Second-degree burns are more serious and cause pain, blisters, and dry, white skin. Second-degree burns are usually treated without surgery, but sometimes need skin grafting or other wound treatment.
Second-degree burns are more serious and cause pain, blisters, and dry, white skin. Second-degree burns are usually treated without surgery, but sometimes need skin grafting or other wound treatment.
Types of Burns
Thermal burns are caused by home fires, automobile accidents, playing with matches, improperly stored gasoline, space heaters, electrical malfunctions, or arson. Chemical burns are caused by exposure to a strong acid or substances such as mustard gas or phosphorus. Electrical burns occur when current runs through the body, creating high heat. The points of entrance and exit on the skin are burned, along with the muscles and underlying tissues.
Grease, chemical and electrical burns (including lightning injury) always require medical treatment.
Grease, chemical and electrical burns (including lightning injury) always require medical treatment.
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Third-Degree Burns
The most serious injuries are third-degree burns, which destroy all the layers of skin, and may damage the underlying tissue.
Third-degree burns are typically caused by contact with hot liquid, flames, or electricity. After being burned, the skin appears white, pearly, or leathery.
The destruction of skin layers eventually turns the skin brown or black, gives it a leathery appearance, and often causes the skin to separate from the surrounding tissue. The nerve endings are destroyed, and therefore these burns usually are not painful.
The skin must be replaced either through transplantation or grafting. Treating third-degree burns usually involves debridement, which is the removal of dead skin, and surgical skin grafting. All third-degree burns require immediate medical care, as well as follow-up medical care.
Third-degree burns are typically caused by contact with hot liquid, flames, or electricity. After being burned, the skin appears white, pearly, or leathery.
The destruction of skin layers eventually turns the skin brown or black, gives it a leathery appearance, and often causes the skin to separate from the surrounding tissue. The nerve endings are destroyed, and therefore these burns usually are not painful.
The skin must be replaced either through transplantation or grafting. Treating third-degree burns usually involves debridement, which is the removal of dead skin, and surgical skin grafting. All third-degree burns require immediate medical care, as well as follow-up medical care.
First-Degree and Second-Degree Burns
First-degree burns affect the outer layer of skin, called the epidermis, and cause pain, redness, and swelling. A sunburn is an example of a first-degree burn. Most of these burns heal on their own. However, some first-degree burns require medical treatment.
Second-degree burns are more serious and cause pain, blisters, and dry, white skin. Second-degree burns are usually treated without surgery, but sometimes need skin grafting or other wound treatment.
Second-degree burns are more serious and cause pain, blisters, and dry, white skin. Second-degree burns are usually treated without surgery, but sometimes need skin grafting or other wound treatment.
Types of Burns
Thermal burns are caused by home fires, automobile accidents, playing with matches, improperly stored gasoline, space heaters, electrical malfunctions, or arson. Chemical burns are caused by exposure to a strong acid or substances such as mustard gas or phosphorus. Electrical burns occur when current runs through the body, creating high heat. The points of entrance and exit on the skin are burned, along with the muscles and underlying tissues.
Grease, chemical and electrical burns (including lightning injury) always require medical treatment.
Grease, chemical and electrical burns (including lightning injury) always require medical treatment.