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What are the different types of Burns?
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What is a first degree burn?
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May 13, 2023 · The higher the degree, the more severe the burn is. First-degree. These burns only affect the outer layer of your skin, called the epidermis. A mild sunburn’s one example. Your skin may be red ...
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Mar 2, 2021 · Doctors categorize burns by their severity, or degree. First-degree burns affect only the top layer of skin (the epidermis). Sunburn is a good example of a first-degree type burn. These burns usually are quite mild, though they may hurt a lot. Second-degree burns penetrate the epidermis and extend into the next layer of skin, the dermis.
- Contributor
- Overview
- Burn levels
- First-degree burn
- Second-degree burn
- Third-degree burn
- Complications
- Preventing all degrees of burns
- Outlook for burns
Burns are classified from first to third degree. Most people recover without serious health consequences, but more severe burns require emergency medical care to prevent complications and death.
Burns are one of the most common household injuries, especially among children. The term “burn” means more than the burning sensation associated with this injury. Burns are characterized by severe skin damage that causes the affected skin cells to die.
There are three primary types of burns: first-, second-, and third-degree. Each degree is based on the severity of damage to the skin, with first-degree being the most minor and third-degree being the most severe. Damage includes:
•first-degree burns: red, nonblistered skin
•second-degree burns: blisters and some thickening of the skin
•third-degree burns: widespread thickness with a white, leathery appearance
There are also fourth-degree burns. This type of burn includes all of the symptoms of a third-degree burn and also extends beyond the skin into tendons and bones.
Burns have a variety of causes, including:
First-degree burns cause minimal skin damage. They are also called “superficial burns” because they affect the outermost layer of skin. Signs of a first-degree burn include:
•redness
•minor inflammation, or swelling
•pain
•dry, peeling skin occurs as the burn heals
Since this burn affects the top layer of skin, the signs and symptoms disappear once the skin cells shed. First-degree burns usually heal within 7 to 10 days without scarring.
Second-degree burns are more serious because the damage extends beyond the top layer of skin. This type burn causes the skin to blister and become extremely red and sore.
Some blisters pop open, giving the burn a wet or weeping appearance. Over time, thick, soft, scab-like tissue called fibrinous exudate may develop over the wound.
Due to the delicate nature of these wounds, keeping the area clean and bandaging it properly is required to prevent infection. This also helps the burn heal quicker.
Some second-degree burns take longer than three weeks to heal, but most heal within two to three weeks without scarring, but often with pigment changes to the skin.
The worse the blisters are, the longer the burn will take to heal. In some severe cases, skin grafting is required to fix the damage. Skin grafting takes healthy skin from another area of the body and moves it to the site of the burned skin.
As with first-degree burns, avoid cotton balls and questionable home remedies. Treatments for a mild second-degree burn generally include:
Excluding fourth-degree burns, third-degree burns are the most severe. They cause the most damage, extending through every layer of skin.
There is a misconception that third-degree burns are the most painful. However, with this type of burn the damage is so extensive that there may not be any pain because of nerve damage.
Depending on the cause, the symptoms third-degree burns can exhibit include:
•waxy and white color
•char
•dark brown color
Compared with first- and second-degree burns, third-degree burns carry the most risk for complications, such as infections, blood loss, and shock, which is often what could lead to death. At the same time, all burns carry the risk of infections because bacteria can enter broken skin.
Tetanus is another possible complication with burns of all levels. Like sepsis, tetanus is a bacterial infection. It affects the nervous system, eventually leading to problems with muscle contractions. As a rule of thumb, every member of your household should receive updated tetanus shots every 10 years to prevent this type of infection.
The obvious best way to fight burns is to prevent them from happening. Certain jobs put you at a greater risk for burns, but the fact is that most burns happen at home. Infants and young children are the most vulnerable to burns. Preventive measures you can take at home include:
•Keep children out of the kitchen while cooking.
•Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove.
•Place a fire extinguisher in or near the kitchen.
•Test smoke detectors once a month.
•Replace smoke detectors every 10 years.
When properly and quickly treated, the outlook for first- and second-degree burns is good. These burns rarely scar but can result in a change in pigment of the skin that was burned. The key is to minimize further damage and infection. Extensive damage from severe second-degree and third-degree burns can lead to problems in deep skin tissues, bones, and organs. Patients may require:
•surgery
•physical therapy
•rehabilitation
•lifelong assisted care
It’s important to gain adequate physical treatment for burns, but don’t forget to find help for your emotional needs. There are support groups available for people who have experienced severe burns, as well as certified counselors. Go online or talk to your doctor to find support groups in your area. You can also use other resources such as Burn Survivor Assistance and the Children’s Burn Foundation.
Third-degree burn. Third-degree burns involve all of the layers of skin and sometimes the fat and muscle tissue under the skin. The skin may appear stiff, waxy white, leathery or gray. These types of burns often need skin grafts to close the wound.
First-degree burns are mild (like most sunburns). The top layer of skin (epidermis) turns red and is painful but doesn’t typically blister. Second-degree burns affect skin’s top and lower layers (dermis). You may experience pain, redness, swelling and blistering. Third-degree burns affect all three skin layers: epidermis, dermis and fat.
May 13, 2024 · The larger the burn, the more severe it is likely to be. The depth of the burn also plays a crucial role in determining its severity. Burns are categorized into three main degrees: first-degree, second-degree, and third-degree. First-degree burns only affect the outermost layer of the skin and are considered mild.
May 13, 2024 · The three main types of burns are first-degree burns, second-degree burns, and third-degree burns. First-degree burns: These burns are the mildest and only affect the outermost layer of the skin, called the epidermis. They are characterized by redness, pain, and minor swelling. Sunburns are a common example of first-degree burns.
