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Burns that affect only the superficial skin layers are known as superficial or first-degree burns. [ 2 ] [ 11 ] They appear red without blisters, and pain typically lasts around three days. [ 2 ] [ 11 ] When the injury extends into some of the underlying skin layer, it is a partial-thickness or second-degree burn . [ 2 ]
In addition to determining burn severity, the measurement of burn surface area is important for estimating patients' fluid requirements and determining hospital admission criteria. [1] Burn severity is determined through, among other things, the size of the skin affected. The image shows the makeup of different body parts, to help assess burn size.
A thermal burn is a type of burn resulting from making contact with heated objects, such as boiling water, steam, hot cooking oil, fire, and hot objects. Scalds are the most common type of thermal burn suffered by children, but for adults thermal burns are most commonly caused by fire. [ 2 ]
Historically, frostbite has been classified by degrees according to skin and sensation changes, similar to burn classifications. However, the degrees do not correspond to the amount of long term damage. [10] A simplification of this system of classification is superficial (first or second degree) or deep injury (third or fourth degree). [11]
Chemical burns may occur through direct contact on body surfaces, including skin and eyes, via inhalation, and/or by ingestion. Substances that diffuse efficiently in human tissue, e.g., hydrofluoric acid , sulfur mustard , and dimethyl sulfate , may not react immediately, but instead produce the burns and inflammation hours after the contact.
In burn cases that involve partial body areas, or when dermatologists are evaluating the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score, the patient's palm can serve a reference point roughly equivalent to 1% of the body surface area. For children and infants, the Lund and Browder chart is used to assess the burned body surface area.
Scalding is a form of thermal burn resulting from heated fluids such as boiling water or steam. Most scalds are considered first- or second-degree burns, but third-degree burns can result, especially with prolonged contact. The term is from the Latin word calidus, meaning hot. [1]
The Lund and Browder chart is a tool useful in the management of burns for estimating the total body surface area affected. It was created by Dr. Charles Lund, Senior Surgeon at Boston City Hospital, and Dr. Newton Browder, based on their experiences in treating over 300 burn victims injured at the Cocoanut Grove fire in Boston in 1942.