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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 ]
Burn scar contracture is the tightening of the skin after a second or third degree burn. When skin is burned, the surrounding skin begins to pull together, resulting in a contracture. It needs to be treated as soon as possible because the scar can result in restriction of movement around the injured area. This is mediated by myofibroblasts. [1]
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.
Negative pressure wound therapy device. Negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT), also known as a vacuum assisted closure (VAC), is a therapeutic technique using a suction pump, tubing, and a dressing to remove excess wound exudate and to promote healing in acute or chronic wounds and second- and third-degree burns.
For use as adjunctive therapy for second- and third-degree burns to prevent infection, adults and children should apply topically to a thickness of approximately 1.6 mm to cleaned and debrided wound once or twice per day with a sterile gloved hand. The burned area should be covered with cream at all times. [citation needed]
The first half of the fluid is given within eight hours from the burn incident, and the remaining over the next 16 hours. Only area covered by second-degree burns or greater is taken into consideration, as first-degree burns do not cause hemodynamically significant fluid shift to warrant fluid replacement. [5]
A burn center needs a team approach for the management of critically burnt patients. Usually, the burns management team consists of a plastic surgeon, intensivist, chest physician, general surgeon, Anesthesiologist, Respiratory Therapist, pediatrician, nurses and technicians, microbiologist, psychiatrist, nutritionist, physiotherapist, and social worker.
Tentative evidence has found other antibiotics to be more effective, and therefore it is no longer generally recommended for second-degree (partial-thickness) burns, but is still widely used to protect third-degree (full-thickness) burns. [2] [3] Common side effects include itching and pain at the site of use. [4]