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Causes of Burns

• Hot Liquids(such as coffee) are the most common cause of burns. They cause a scald. Steam acts the same way.
• Hot Surfaces. Examples are ovens, stoves, space heaters and curling irons.
• Chemical Burns (serious). Examples are acids or lye splashed on the skin or in the eye. They continue to damage the tissues until the chemicals are removed. It is important to keep washing the area until all the chemical is washed out. Unless the area is very small, you should Call 911 . Washing the area can continue on the way to ER.
• Electrical Burns (serious). These can be much deeper than they first appear. They can affect the tendons and muscles under the surface of the skin. They can also cause an abnormal heartbeat, so it is best to get checked out at the hospital.
• Flame Burns (serious). Flammable liquids that ignite cause burns. These are sometimes seen in people trying to start barbecues or light a fire. House fires can also cause flame burns.
• Friction Burns. Carpet or treadmill burns are common examples.
• Sunburn is not covered here. See the Sunburn care guide.
   

Degrees of Burns

• There are 3 layers to the skin:
  • The epidermis is the surface layer.
  • The dermis is the tissue just beneath the surface. It contains blood vessels, nerve endings, sweat glands and hair follicles.
  • The subcutaneous layer sits underneath the dermis and is made up of fat and other tissue.
• The degree of burn is based upon how deep the burn goes and which layers of skin are affected.
  • 1st degree. Red skin without blisters. The burn affects the epidermis only. These burns often don't need to be seen.
  • 2nd degree. Red skin with blisters. The burn affects the epidermis and part or all of the dermis. These burns are painful. They heal from the bottom up, not from the edges. Takes 2 to 3 weeks. Small closed blisters decrease pain and act as a natural bandage.
  • 3rd degree. Deep burns with white or charred skin. The burn affects all three layers of the skin. There are no blisters. Skin feeling is lost. Heals in from the edges. Grafts are often needed if it is larger than 1 inch (2.5 cm). Skin grafts help limit scarring.

Burn Care and Healing

• As burns heal, there is a risk of the burn getting infected. It is important to keep the burn clean and dry. Dressings must be changed every 1-2 days at first, then every 3-5 days as they heal.
• Deep burns, or infected burns, are at higher risk for scarring or loss of function. Always seek medical care for burns in areas that may be hard to keep clean. These areas include: face, hands, arms, feet, legs or genitals.
• Facial Burns: sleeping or resting in a sitting position will help limit the amount of swelling.