Burns

Burns are injuries to the skin or deeper tissues caused by hot liquids, fire, electricity, chemicals, or the sun.

The severity of most burns is determined by the size and depth of the burn. Electrical burns, on the other hand, are more difficult to diagnose because they can cause significant injury beneath the skin without visible signs of damage on the surface.

The skin is composed of three layers, and the deeper the burn, the more severe it is:

1. First-degree burns affect the epidermis with red skin. A typical example is sunburn. The pain may last 2-3 days and then disappear.
2. Second-degree burns affect the dermis and are characterized by blisters.
3. Third-degree burns result in complete destruction of the skin down to the fat layer. The skin is white and painless.

The management of burns is done in two stages. The first stage is to reduce the temperature of the skin by running the burned area under cool running water (tap, shower, bath) for at least 15 minutes (avoid applying ice as it could worsen the burns).

The second stage involves local treatment that varies depending on the severity of the burn. First-degree burns are most often treated simply by applying an antiseptic ointment.

The recovery of first-degree burns and small superficial second-degree burns is generally favourable. One can expect healing with minor scars after relatively fast disappearance (a few hours or days) of the painful symptoms related to the burn.

For second-degree burns, the treatment depends on the depth of the skin damage. If the damage is superficial, local treatment is usually sufficient, and healing occurs within 10 to 15 days. If the damage is deeper, surgery may be necessary. Third-degree burns require complex treatments often involving skin grafts.

The severity of burns depends on their extent and depth. The absence of pain is a sign of the severity of the burns, as it may indicate a deeper lesion.

You can read the Burns article on the Planète santé website or visit the brulure.fr website.