Burns
Description
Heat or chemical injury to tissue
May be permanently disfiguring and incapacitating
May be partial thickness or full thickness
Pathophysiology
First-degree burns (superficial, partial thickness) are localized injuries to epidermis and not life-threatening.
Second-degree burns (deep, partial thickness) produce destruction of epidermis and some dermis with thin-walled and fluid-filled blisters. When the nerve endings are exposed to air, the blisters break causing pain and loss of barrier function of the skin.
Third- and fourth-degree burns (full thickness) affect every body system and organ, extending into the subcutaneous tissue layer. They cause damage to muscle, bone, and interstitial tissues; interstitial fluids result in edema. Immediate immunologic response and threat of wound sepsis occurs, but is painless.
Causes
Chewing electric cords
Child abuse
Contact with faulty electrical wiring and high voltage power lines
Contact, ingestion, inhalation, or injection of acids, alkalies, or vesicants
Friction or abrasion
Improper handling of firecrackers
Improper use or handling of matches
Improperly stored gasoline
Motor vehicle accidents
Residential fires
Scalding accidents
Space heater or electrical malfunctions
Sun exposure
Common characteristics of burns
First-degree burns
Localized pain
Erythema
Blanching
Chills
Headache
Nausea and vomiting
Second-degree burns
Thin-walled, fluid-filled blisters
Mild to moderate pain
White, waxy appearance of damaged area
Third- and fourth-degree burns
Pale, white, brown, or black leathery tissue
Visible thrombosed vessels
No blister formation
Painless
