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Scalding is a type of thermal burn caused by boiling water and steam, commonly suffered by children. Scalds are commonly caused by accidental spilling of hot liquids, having water temperature too high for baths and showers, steam from boiling water or heated food, or getting splattered by hot cooking oil. [4]
However, it is necessary to keep warm water at a temperature of 55–60 °C (131–140 °F) to inhibit the growth of legionella bacteria. The American Burn Association states that a scalding injury occurs when skin is placed in contact with water measuring 155 degrees Fahrenheit, or 68 degrees Celsius, for one second.
Human skin burns quickly at high temperature, in less than 5 seconds at 60 °C (140 °F), but much slower at 53 °C (127 °F) — it takes a full minute for a second degree burn. Older people and children often receive serious scalds due to disabilities or slow reaction times. [11]
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 ]
Uncontrolled cooling, however, can result in freeze burns to the skin. According to controlled laboratory experiments, the gas from a typical deodorant spray can reduce skin temperature by up to sixty degrees Celsius. [2] The form of injury is freezing of the skin, a type of frostbite.
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Anatomy of the human skin. Skin temperature is the temperature of the outermost surface of the body. Normal human skin temperature on the trunk of the body varies between 33.5 and 36.9 °C (92.3 and 98.4 °F), though the skin's temperature is lower over protruding parts, like the nose, and higher over muscles and active organs. [1]