A burn can be defined as an injury to the body caused by heat, electricity, radiation, friction, light, chemicals or even extreme cold. Burns can be minor medical problems or life-threatening emergencies. Burns are classified into four groups as per the severity of the harm caused to the muscles, bones, blood vessels and dermal and epidermal tissues. Burns are also accompanied by pain caused by the injury to the nerves. As per the severity, burns are categorized as first, second, third and fourth degree burns. Apart from the physical symptoms, burns are often associated with mental shock and other emotional problems due to scars and deformity.
Burn treatment depends on the severity and size of the burn. You can treat most minor burns at home using first-aid measures, such as cooling the skin and applying an anesthetic cream or aloe gel to the burn. Deep or widespread burns need immediate medical attention. You can reduce your risk of common household burns by being prepared and taking precautionary steps, such as keeping lighters and matches out of the reach of children and checking your smoke detectors yearly.
Signs and symptoms of burns include:
Red, swollen skin
Pain, which may be severe
Wet or moist-looking skin
Blisters
Waxy white, leathery or tan skin
Blackened or charred skin, in severe cases
Burns don't affect the skin uniformly, so a single injury can reach varying depths. Distinguishing a minor burn from a more serious burn involves determining the degree of damage to the tissues of the body. The following are four classifications of burns:
First-degree burn. This minor burn affects only the outer layer of the skin (epidermis). It causes redness and pain and usually resolves with first-aid measures within several days to a week.
Second-degree burn. These burns affect both the epidermis and the second layer of skin (dermis), causing redness, pain and swelling. A second-degree burn often looks wet or moist. Blisters may develop and pain can be severe. Deep second-degree burns can cause scarring.
Third-degree burn. Burns that involve the epidermis and the dermis and reach the tissue underneath them (subcutaneous tissue) are called third-degree burns. The skin may appear stiff, waxy white, leathery or tan. Third-degree burns can destroy nerves, causing numbness.
Fourth-degree burn. The most severe form of burn reaches beyond the subcutaneous tissue and into the nerves, muscle and bones that lie beneath. The skin may appear blackened or charred. If nerve damage is substantial, you may feel no pain at all.
Burns occur when the skin is exposed to high temperatures — greater than 140 F (60 C). Many substances can cause burns, including:
Fire
Hot liquid or steam
Hot metal, glass or other objects
Electrical currents
Radiation, such as from X-rays or radiation therapy to treat cancer
Sunlight or ultraviolet (UV) light from a sunlamp or tanning bed
Chemicals, such as strong acids, alkalis (such as lye or cement), paint thinner or gasoline
Friction
Call 911 or seek emergency medical assistance for:
Burns that cover large portions of the hands, feet, face, groin, buttocks or a major joint
Second-degree burns that are larger than 3 inches (7.6 centimeters) in diameter or larger than the size of the burn victim's palm
Third- or fourth-degree burns
Difficulty breathing or burns to the airway
Smoke inhalation
Burns that are accompanied by weakness, illness or uncontrolled pain
Make an appointment with your health care provider for:
Increased pain, swelling, redness or discharge in the burned area
Fever (over 100.4 F or 38 C)
A burn that doesn't heal in several weeks
New, unexplained symptoms
Deep or widespread burns can lead to many complications, including:
Local infection. Burns can leave skin vulnerable to bacterial infection, particularly staphylococcus infection, and increase your risk of sepsis, a serious infection that travels through your bloodstream and affects your whole body.
Widespread infection (sepsis). Sepsis occurs when bacteria from an infection enter your bloodstream and spread throughout your body. Sepsis is a rapidly progressing, life-threatening condition that can cause shock and organ failure.
Low blood volume (hypovolemia). Burns can damage blood vessels and cause fluid loss. This may result in low blood volume (hypovolemia). Severe blood and fluid loss prevents the heart from pumping enough blood to the body.
Dangerously low body temperature (hypothermia). The skin helps control the body's temperature, so when a large portion of the skin is injured, you lose body heat. This increases your risk of hypothermia — when the body loses heat faster than it can produce heat, causing a dangerously low body temperature.
Breathing (respiratory) problems. Breathing hot air or smoke can burn airways and cause breathing difficulties. Smoke inhalation damages the lungs and can cause respiratory failure.
Scarring. Burns can cause scars and keloids — ridged areas caused by an overgrowth of scar tissue.
Bone and joint problems. Deep burns can limit movement of the bones and joints. Scar tissue can form and cause contractures, when skin, muscles or tendons shorten and tighten, permanently pulling joints out of position.
For minor burns, including first-degree burns and second-degree burns limited to an area no larger than 3 inches (7.6 centimeters) in diameter, take the following action:
Soaking the burned area in cold milk or cold water is a good home remedy to treat burns. This will also prevent the burned area from forming blisters or pus boils. Use cold water and not ice water, as ice water can worsen the burn. Hold the burned area under cool (not cold) running water for 10 or 15 minutes or until the pain subsides. If this is impractical, immerse the burn in cool water or cool it with cold compresses. Cooling the burn reduces swelling by conducting heat away from the skin. Again, don't put ice on the burn.
Apply a lotion or moisturizer to soothe the area and prevent dryness. Try anesthetic cream or aloe gel. Don't apply butter or ointments to a burn. Both hold heat in the tissues and may cause more damage. They also increase the risk of infection.
Take an over-the-counter pain reliever. These include aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), naproxen (Aleve) or acetaminophen (Tylenol, others). Use caution when giving aspirin to children or teenagers. Though aspirin is approved for use in children older than age 2, children and teenagers recovering from chickenpox or flu-like symptoms should never take aspirin. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns.
Cover the burn with a sterile gauze bandage. Don't use fluffy cotton, or other material that may get lint in the wound. Wrap the gauze loosely to avoid putting pressure on burned skin. Bandaging keeps air off the burn, reduces pain and protects blistered skin.
After washing away the heat with water, rub vitamin E oil on the burn and consume vitamin A and vitamin E capsules, to heal the burn quickly (before trying this method, see "Burn Home Remedies Mistakes")
From simple burns, 1st degree, slice a potato and apply potato slices to the affected area. Repeat process with additional potato slices, removing the slices as they get warm.
Apply plain yoghurt on burn and let it dry, then rinse with cool water, pad dry with towel and re-apply yoghurt until pain is gone. I also use yoghurt whenever i get sunburned, it works really good!
To eliminate pain and prevent blistering. As soon as the skin burns wet it with cold water and apply a thick layer of sugar over the whole area. Keep it as long as the pain is there. If the sugar dries and falls redo the procedure.
Some people wrap their hair around the burn. The hair will pull the heat out.
Put plain white flour on a burn for 10 mins to prevent blister, burning and redness. Make sure you keep in on for 10 mins.
Applying egg whites on the burn will help soothe and heal it.
Some people apply fresh cut tomatoes or tomato sauce on burns to relieve pain and prevent blisters.
Apply butter or margarine to the burned area to soothe the skin (before trying this method, see "Burn Home Remedies Mistakes").
Apply fresh cut onion to the burn as soon as it happens to relieve the pain. Some apply cold minced garlic on burns to relieve pain.
After washing with water, prepare cotton ash paste by burning cotton wool and mixing the ashes with olive oil. Make a thick paste and apply it to the burn. It will heal quickly (before trying this method, see "Burn Home Remedies Mistakes").
Apply diluted vinegar on the burned area to soothe the pain and relieve the burning sensation.
Apply just honey to the burn or mix it with olive oil and apply to the burn after washing it with cool water (before trying this method, see "Burn Home Remedies Mistakes").
To relieve the itching that occurs in the process of healing the burn, soak the burned area in a tub of lukewarm water and oatmeal.
Mouth burns can be relieved by rinsing with a solution of salt or by holding a mouthful of sugar on the burned area in the mouth.
The best home remedy to heal sunburn is to soak yourself in a bathtub filled with cold water or to hold an ice compress to the burned area.
Applying a paste of yellow mustard will also help. Wash it off once the paste dries.
If the burn is too painful, applying colloidal silver can help cure the burn and relieve the pain.
Prepare a decoction by boiling together mint leaves, a few tea bags and water. Strain the liquid obtained from this mixture and allow it to cool in the refrigerator. Dab this onto the burned area and allow it to dry and then wash it off.
Some put toothpaste on minor burns. It cools the area and eventually forms a seal.
Applying lavender essential oil and calendula infused oil are very good herbal remedies for burns (before trying this method, see "Burn Home Remedies Mistakes").
Minor burns usually heal without further treatment. They may heal with pigment changes, meaning the healed area may be a different color from the surrounding skin. Watch for signs of infection, such as increased pain, redness, fever, swelling or oozing. If infection develops, seek medical help. Avoid re-injuring or tanning if the burns are less than a year old — doing so may cause more extensive pigmentation changes. Use sunscreen on the area for at least a year.
These home remedies for burns should be used only for first degree burns and possibly mild second degree burns and burns milder than that. For higher degree burns, medical assistance is advised.
Serious mistakes to avoid while treating burns of the second degree:
Do not put ointments, oil, butter, grease or petroleum jelly on the burn as this substances trap the heat in and damage the tissues lying deeper. They also increase the risk of infection. For this last reason it is advisable not to apply egg whites on burns as well. However, some people do apply oil on burns with reported success. The key to success may be not to apply the oil on a fresh burn or without first washing it thoroughly cold with water. If the burn have been washed cold, the oil may not trap any existing heat. If you decide to apply oil on fresh burns, use with caution.
Don't break blisters. Broken blisters are more vulnerable to infection. If a blister breaks, wash with antibacterial soap and water, apply an antibiotic ointment and bandage.
Do not put ice or ice water in the burnt area as this may further increase damage to the skin.
Do not give a burn victim anything to drink or eat for the first 24 hours. There is a great potential for burn victims to vomit. If the person is conscious and not vomiting and if medical help is more than 2 hours away, give small sips of water or clear juice. If the person is in shock, however, and asks for water, moisten the lips but do not allow drinking to help avoid vomiting.
Burn scars can be
categorized into three different types. They are: keloid scars,
hypertrophic scars and contracture scars. Keloid scars are those
where the scarred tissue overgrows. Most of the time, the overgrowth
of the scarred tissues is not just confined to the injury site but
goes beyond it. Hypertrophic scars make the affected skin very thick
and is found in slightly raised condition due to overgrowing of the
scarring tissue. However, these overgrowth occur only at the affected
part and do not get extended to surrounding areas. Contracture scars
is the most severe form of burn scar which occur when the underlying
muscles and nerves are affected by the burns. As a result, the skin
is tightened up permanently. So the burn scar treatment for this type
of scar is slightly complicated as compared to other burn
scars.
Treatment for burn scars:
The initial treatment for keloid scars and hypertrophic scars involve administration of pain relieving medicines after a gap of 4 to 6 hours. Cortisone injections and steroid injections may also be required to control the swelling and pain. The swelling has to be checked more because if the burned part is inflamed, then the risk of burn scars increases.
Pressure garments are one of the best non surgical treatments for minor burn scars. However, it is effective only if it is applied at the time of healing. It does not work well on old burn scars. With continuous application of the pressure, the possibility of growth of the scarred skin tissue is lessened. Pressure garments help to prevent the swelling of the area and thus scarring can be controlled.
Lotions and ointments that contain vitamin K as an ingredient are good for treating the scars resulting from burns. Like pressure treatment, it should be done at the time of the healing only. The fatty substance of these ointments when penetrate into the scarred tissues and the normal surrounding tissues of the skin, it brings down the inflammation quickly and reduces the chance of formation of new scar.
Contracture scars are firstly given physical therapy accompanied by pressure treatment and some exercise to normalize the affected part. If they fail to show any result then skin grafts may be carried out by the plastic surgeons. This involves removal of the scarred tissue and replacement by the skin from some other unaffected part of the body. Old keloid scars can be removed with the help of surgery too. It is a simple surgery done under local anesthesia where the scarred tissue is cut out by surgical procedure.
The remedies that we have discussed in the following lines are useful for lightening the scar to a great extent provided the burn is not very serious. Those scars caused by serious burn injuries have to be removed under the supervision of the professionals only.
A good massage of a mixture of vitamin E oil and aloe vera gel on the affected part during healing can start regeneration of skin cells fast as well as lighten the already developed scars.
Lemon juice can also be used for this purpose, but it has to be used after complete healing of the injury, or else it will give a lot of irritation when applied on the open wounds. Apply the juice daily once and wait for about 15 minutes and then wash off.
Fenugreek seeds is also an excellent remedy for burn scar. Soak one teaspoonful of fenugreek seeds in water overnight. Paste the soaked seeds in the morning and apply it on the scars.
You can also mix equal quantities of olive oil and coconut oil and apply it on the fresh new scars. This should be done daily before going to bed and you will find the scars fading away very soon.
The success of the non-surgical form of burn scar treatment largely depends on how early it has been started. One can get instant effect of the treatment provided adequate measures were taken at the time of healing to restrict the development of the scars. The result can also vary from person to person. The treatment is mostly a time-taking process, and hence one should be patient and continue with the treatment.
The most serious burns involve all layers of the skin and cause permanent tissue damage. Fat, muscle and even bone may be affected. Areas may be charred black or appear dry and white. Difficulty inhaling and exhaling, carbon monoxide poisoning, or other toxic effects may occur if smoke inhalation accompanies the burn.
For major burns, call 911 or emergency medical help. Until an emergency unit arrives, follow these steps:
Don't remove burned clothing. However, do make sure the victim is no longer in contact with smoldering materials or exposed to smoke or heat.
Don't immerse large severe burns in cold water. Doing so could cause a drop in body temperature (hypothermia) and deterioration of blood pressure and circulation (shock).
Check for signs of circulation (breathing, coughing or movement). If there is no breathing or other sign of circulation, begin CPR.
Elevate the burned body part or parts. Raise above heart level, when possible.
Cover the area of the burn. Use a cool, moist, sterile bandage; clean, moist cloth; or moist cloth towels.
Get a tetanus shot. Burns are susceptible to tetanus. Doctors recommend you get a tetanus shot every 10 years. If your last shot was more than five years ago, your doctor may recommend a tetanus shot booster.
Burn treatment in a hospital usually involves the following:
Assessment of the burn and any related conditions, such as inhalation injuries. If not already done, clothing and jewelry are removed from the burned area.
Intravenous (IV) fluids. Doctors deliver fluids continuously through a vein (intravenously) to prevent dehydration.
Medications. Oral or IV pain medications and antibiotics are given to reduce pain and to prevent infection. Topical medications may also be applied to the burned area to reduce pain and speed healing.
Wound care. The burn is cleaned and embedded pieces of clothing or other debris are removed.
Protective dressings. Depending on the size and location of the burn, the area may be wrapped with dressings or bandages to protect the skin, reduce pain, and prevent the loss of heat and moisture through the wound.
Skin grafting. For burns that cover a large area of skin, skin grafting may be required to help skin tissue regenerate, prevent scarring and aid the healing process.
Surgery. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to close the wound, remove the dead tissue or treat related complications.
Depending on the severity and size of the burn, you may be referred to a specialty facility or burn care unit for specialized burn treatment.
Serious burns that cover a smaller area may heal without significant medical treatment, although they're likely to cause permanent scarring. Generally, even serious burns heal much like any other wound — a scab forms over the burned area, skin tissue regenerates and new healthy skin grows in the wounded area.
Second-degree burns can take at least two to three weeks to heal; more severe burns may take longer. Rehabilitation can take a year or more and may include reconstructive surgery (plastic surgery), ongoing wound management, and physical therapy to improve muscle strength and coordination.
Most burns happen in the home. Simple safety measures decrease the chances of anyone getting burned.
Do not smoke in bed.
Place smoke alarms and other fire safety devices in strategic locations in your home, such as in the kitchen and bedrooms and near fireplaces or stoves. Smoke detectors need to be checked and to have the batteries replaced regularly. A good way to remember to do this is to check smoke detectors twice a year when daylight savings and standard time change.
Make a fire escape plan, and make sure the family knows it (babysitters, too).
Keep a fire extinguisher near the kitchen and have it checked yearly. Learn how to use it. Put out food or grease fires in a pan with a lid or another pot.
Set your water heater at 120°F (50°C) or lower. Always test the temperature of bathwater.
Store cleaning solutions and paints in containers in well-ventilated areas.
Use proper fuses in electrical boxes, do not overload outlets, and use insulated and grounded electrical cords.
Keep trash cleaned up in attics, basements, and garages.
Be careful with gas equipment such as lawn mowers, snow blowers, and chain saws.
Be careful with any flammable substances used to start fires, such as lighter fluid.
Avoid fireworks. Think of safety first when dealing with fireworks.
Your local fire department is a good resource for more information on how to prevent fires, make a fire escape plan, use fire safety devices, and provide first-aid treatment for burns.
Teach children safety rules for matches, fires, electrical outlets, electrical cords, stoves, and chemicals. Keep in mind child safety considerations. Prevention tips for children include the following:
Keep matches and flames, such as candles or lanterns, out of the reach of children. Keep small children away from stoves and ovens when you are cooking, and do not place pot handles where a child can reach them. Do not let children play with any small appliances such as curling irons, hair dryers, toasters, or heating pads.
Never hold a child while smoking or drinking a hot liquid, because any sudden movement by the child could cause a burn.
Never leave hot foods or liquids within reach of children, such as on the edges of tables or counters. Also, be cautious about leaving hot liquids on a table with a tablecloth that young children can reach and pull down.
Prevent electrical burns in young children. Keep electrical cords away from a child's reach. A child chewing on a cord could cause an electrical burn of the mouth. Cover electrical outlets so children will not stick items in the outlet.
Prevent heat burns in young children. Do not allow children to remove hot items from the oven or microwave. Use caution whenever heating baby bottles in the microwave so that the liquid does not get too hot. A liner may burst or a lid may not be secure, and when the bottle is tipped for feeding, the hot contents may burn the baby. For this reason, most doctors recommend that bottles not be heated in the microwave.
Teach children who are old enough to understand to stop, drop, and roll if their clothing catches on fire so they can help put out the flame and prevent getting burned more.
Buy children's sleepwear made of flame-retardant fabric. Dress children in flame- and fire-retardant clothing. Older adults need to be careful about wearing clothing with loose material that could catch on fire.
Keep woodstoves and fireplaces in good working condition, and use screens to keep children a safe distance away. Keep portable heaters, furnaces, water heaters, and small appliances in good working condition.
Prevent chemical burns in young children. Store cleaning solutions and chemicals out of the reach of children.
Prevent friction burns in young children. Friction burns can cause small cuts and scrapes. Don't pull or drag your child across carpet while playing.
In general, avoid placing camping tents under tall trees, near bodies of water, or on the highest hill in an area. Seek shelter in a covered area, such as a car, if you get caught outdoors in bad weather. If no shelter is available, lie on the ground in a ditch or take cover in a thick grove of trees, where lightning striking a single tree is unlikely.
Avoid handling metal or electrical objects.
Avoid or stop using any machines outdoors.
Get out of water and off of boats.