BURNS | WHAT IS BURN? | TYPES

Burns are wound that are cause because of exposure to.:

• Excessive Heat
• Chemicals
• Fire / Steam
• Radiation
• Electricity

TYPES OF BURNS:

1. THERMAL: caused due to exposure to a hot object or flame.
2. CHEMICAL: exposure to acid, alkali, or organic substance.
3. ELECTRICAL: cause due to the conversion of electrical energy into heat energy. The extent depends on.:
   • the type of current,
   • a pathway of flow,
   • local tissue resistance, and
   • lastly on the duration of contact.
4. RADIATION: consequently result from radiant energy transfer to the body. Thus resulting in the production of cellular toxins.

BURN WOUND ASSESSMENT

• Classified according to depth of injury & extent of body surface area involved.
• Burns wounds differentiated depending on the level of dermis and subcutaneous tissue involved
  1. superficial( first – degree)
  2. deep ( second-degree )
  3. full-thickness( third and fourth degree )

SUPERFICIAL BURNS (FIRST DEGREE):-

• Epidermal tissue only affected.
• Erythema. blanching on pressure. mild swelling. no vesicles or blister initially.
• Not much life-threatening. unless a large area involved.
• i.e., sunburn

DEEP (SECOND DEGREE):-

• Involves epidermis and the deepest layer of the dermis.
• Fluid-filled vesicles.: red, shiny, wet, severe pain.
• Hospitalization is required if burn involves over 25% of the body surface.
• i.e., tar burn, flame.

FULL THICKNESS (THIRD/FOURTH DEGREE):-

• Destruction of all skin layers.
• It requires immediate hospitalization during this type of burn.
• As a result it is much more life fatal.
• Dry, waxy, white, rubbery, or hard skin without pain.
• Exposure to flames, electricity, or chemicals. can cause 3rd-degree burns.

CALCULATION OF BURNED BODY SURFACE AREA:

RULE OF NINES:-

• Head & Neck = 9%
• Each upper extremity (Arms) = 9%
• Each lower extremity (Legs) = 18%
• Anterior trunk = 18%
• Posterior trunk = 18%
• Genitalia (perineum) = 1%

CHANGES OCCURING DUE TO BURNS:-

• Circulatory disarrangement occurs at the burn site. immediately after a burn injury.
• Blood flow ceases or decreases because of a constricted blood vessel.
• Constriction is therefore caused by the release of chemicals by macrophages.
• Thrombosis of blood vessels can occur. also by further causing necrosis.
• Fluid shift
• Curling’s Ulcer
• Fluid imbalances
• Fluid remobilization

PHASES OF BURN INJURIES:-

1. Emergent (24-48 hrs)
2. Acute
3. Rehabilitative

SKIN ASSESSMENT:

• Determine the size and depth of burn injury by assessing skin.
• The size of injury is firstly estimated in comparison to the total body surface area (TBSA).
• For e.g., a burn that involves 40% of the TBSA is a 40% burn.
• Use the rule of nines for the patient whose weight is in normal proportion to their heights without a doubt.

STRANGE MIND