Burns

 

 A burn is a type of injury to the skin caused by heat, electricity, chemicals or radiation. This skin injury has specific features and treatment. Burns are classified, according to the depth of skin injury, in 3 stages / degrees:

- First, superficial thickness, like sunburn.

- Second, partial thickness, such as thermal burn from hot water, oil, etc.

- Third, full thickness, as after self-inflicted, electric etc.

A burn, which extends beyond the skin (fat, muscle, bone) is called fourth degree.

 

 The severity of burn injury is determined mainly by the extent and thickness, but also from the cause, the age, gender and general condition of the patient.

   

 Critical is the initial management of each burn, starting from the accident site. The burned patient must be immediately removed from the area, then the burned surface is washed with plenty of water for at least 10 minutes and wrapped in clean material. The patient should seek for specialized medical care in order to receive further treatment. Although 95% of burns in the United States, that present to the emergency department are treated and discharged; 5% require hospital admission.

 

 The plastic surgeon is the specialist of burn management, who evaluates and treats the burn, applying a conservative or surgical treatment. Severe burns are always hospitalized in special burn units.

 

 Following a burn, body disfigurement and/or scar contracture may be caused, with functional and/or aesthetic implications. The management of the burn complications is also responsibility of a Plastic Surgeon.