BURNS

 

Symptoms | When to call | Homecare Advice

 

First Degree Burn

  • The picture shows a 6 inch (15 cm) wide area of mild redness without blistering on the forearm.
  • This burn was caused by spilled hot water

Rule of Nines for Estimating Burn Size in Adults

Each part of the body contributes a predictable portion of the total body surface area.

  • Head and neck - 9%
  • Each arm - 9 %
  • Anterior chest and abdomen 18%
  • Entire back - 18%
  • Each leg - 18%
  • Genital region - 1%

Injury Definition

  • 1st  Degree Burn (superficial burns) - Reddened skin without blisters (usually doesn't need to be seen)
  • 2nd  Degree Burn (partial thickness burns) - Reddened skin with blisters (heals from bottom up, takes 2 to 3 weeks)
    • Small closed blisters (narrower than 1 inch) serve as a dressing and reduce pain. Also the blister fluid contains protective chemicals.
    • Large closed blisters (wider than 1 inch) may need debridement. They commonly break open and the dead skin then needs to be removed
    • All open blisters need trimming of the dead skin (can be done by caller or in the office). Most open blisters are empty of fluid. A blister with a small opening and slow fluid leak can be recognized by the appearance of wrinkled skin.
  • 3rd  Degree Burn (full thickness burns) - Deep burn with white or charred skin. The burned area loses sensation to pain and touch (feels numb). Usually needs a skin graft to prevent bad scarring if it is larger than a quarter (1 inch or 2.5 cm) in size.

General Information

  • Thermal burns are skin injuries caused by heat. Common examples are burns from hot water or hot drinks. Other common causes of thermal burns include hot ovens, stoves, electric or kerosene space heaters, exhaust pipes, hot grease, hair-curling irons, and clothes irons.
  • Chemical burns result from lye, acids, or other tissue-damaging chemicals splashed on the skin. If the chemical is washed off immediately, most of these accidents will cause only first-degree burns.

First Aid for Thermal Burns

  • Immediately (don't take time to remove clothing) put the burned part in cold tap water or pour cold water over it for 10 minutes.  (Reason: lessens the depth of the burn and relieves pain)

First Aid for Chemical Burns

  • Immediately remove any contaminated clothing.
  • Then flush the chemical off the skin with warm water for 10 minutes. For large areas, use a shower.

See More Appropriate Topic (instead of this one) If

 

Disclaimer: This information is not intended be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information.

Adult SelfCareNavigator. Copyright © 2000-2004 David Thompson, M.D. FACEP

Reviewed 8/2004

Revised 8/2004

See Other Topics:

View Anatomic Index of Topics