Burn (Scald)

A burn is an injury caused by hot liquid or steam (such as boiling water) coming into contact with the skin.

Contact with hot liquid or steam may scald the skin. This leads to redness, swelling, blistering and even tissue death.

The most common causes of burns:

1. Spilling boiling water or a hot drink on yourself.

2. Contact with steam from a kettle or other household appliances.

3. Oil splashes during frying.

Burns from hot liquids or steam most often occur on the arms, legs, chest and abdomen. Children and the elderly are especially at risk.

To avoid burns, be careful when working with heaters and hot liquids. In addition, it is important to provide first aid for burns in a timely manner.

Scald: Understanding and treating injuries caused by hot liquid or steam

Burns caused by hot liquid or steam coming into contact with the skin are serious injuries that require immediate attention and proper treatment. They can occur due to unintentional incidents in the home environment, work environment or even in public places. Burns can range in severity, and proper assessment and treatment are key to minimizing complications and speeding up the healing process.

Burns are caused by skin contact with a hot liquid such as boiling water, oil or steam. Heat is transferred to the skin and causes tissue damage. Burns can occur on any part of the body, but most commonly affect the arms, face, neck and legs. The depth and severity of damage depend on the temperature of the liquid or steam, the time of contact and the individual sensitivity of the skin.

Burns are classified by severity:

1. First degree: damage is limited to the outer layer of skin (epidermis). Characterized by redness, tenderness and mild swelling.

2. Second degree: both the epidermis and part of the middle layer of skin (dermis) are damaged. Accompanied by the formation of blisters, severe pain and swelling.

3. Third degree: all layers of the skin are damaged and may affect underlying tissues such as muscles and bones. Characterized by white, black or charcoal colored skin, dry crust formation and serious complications.

In case of a burn, immediate first aid is required:

1. Remove source of burn: Remove patient from danger area or remove source of liquid or vapor.

2. Cool the burn: Rinse the burn with cold (not ice) water for 10 to 20 minutes. This will help reduce skin temperature and reduce the depth of damage. Do not use ice cubes or oil for cooling.

3. Protect the burn: Cover the burn with a clean, dry dressing or leak-proof material to prevent infection.

4. Seek medical attention: Even if the burn appears minor, see a doctor for evaluation and further treatment. Your doctor may recommend topical ointments, dressings, anti-inflammatory medications, or antibiotics depending on the severity of the burn.

When treating burns, it is important to remember the following precautions:

1. Do not puncture blisters that form on the burn to avoid infection. If the blister bursts on its own, gently clean the area around the burn with water and mild soap.

2. Avoid applying oils, lotions, or creams to the burn unless specifically recommended by a healthcare professional. This can make the burn difficult to assess and increase the risk of infection.

3. Watch for signs of infection, such as fever, redness, swelling, pustules, or a foul odor. If these symptoms appear, consult your doctor immediately.

4. Third-degree burns that require medical attention may require surgical procedures, such as skin grafts, to promote healing and repair damaged tissue.

Burns can leave lasting effects, including scarring and changes in skin pigmentation. Regular care of the burn area, the use of special creams and ointments, and physical therapy exercises can help restore the function and appearance of the skin.

It is important to contact a medical professional or emergency services if you suffer a burn, especially if it affects a large area of ​​the body, the face, hands or genitals, or if the burn is caused by chemicals or electricity.

Remember that providing first aid and promptly seeking medical attention are critical to managing burns and reducing the risk of complications. Take care of your skin and take precautions to avoid such incidents in your daily life.

The name "burn" describes pathological damage to the skin or deep tissues resulting from contact with extremely hot liquids or steam. The type of damage, the degree of damage and the factors leading to it can be different - heat damage can arise from a wide variety of factors, as well as from the same reasons. Because thermal burns are often used synonymously with heat injury or heat coma, the term heat injury can be used to describe only the non-inflammatory stage of injury, emphasizing the presence of skin damage. Therefore, the term “burns” is commonly understood as various forms of thermal injury, characterized by a pronounced general reaction of the body to thermal factors. This article discusses those forms of burns that are classified as typical and most frequently encountered in clinical practice.