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Serious burns are complex injuries. In addition to the burn injury itself, a number of other functions may be affected. Burn injuries can affect muscles, bones, nerves, and blood vessels. The respiratory system can be damaged, with possible airway obstruction, respiratory failure and respiratory arrest. Since burns injure the skin, they impair the body's normal fluid/electrolyte balance, body temperature, body thermal regulation, joint function, manual dexterity, and physical appearance. In addition to the physical damage caused by burns, patients also may suffer emotional and psychological problems that begin at the emergency scene and could last a long time. Burn Injuries The Skin The skin is the largest organ in the body and performs many important functions. It protects against infection by keeping out bacteria. It prevents loss of body fluids and helps control body temperature.Depth of BurnThe depth of burn is usually categorized as superficial partial-thickness, deep partial-thickness or full-thickness.Superficial partial-thickness (also know as superficial second degree) A superficial partial-thickness burn resembles a deep sunburn and is very painful. It will usually heal on its own within ten days. Deep partial-thickness (also known as deep second degree)A full-thickness burn involves damage to all the layers of the skin, including the skin-reproducing cells. This wound will require skin grafting to heal.First Degree Burn Second Degree Burn Third Degree Burn * Body regions burned - burns to the face are more severe because they could affect airway management or the eyes. Burns to hands and feet are also of special concern because they could impede movement of fingers and toes. * Degree of the burn - the degree of the burn is important because it could cause infection of exposed tissues and permit invasion of the circulatory system. * Extent of burned surface areas - It is important to know the percentage of the amount of the skin surface involved in the burn. The adult body is divided into regions, each of which represents nine percent of the total body surface. These regions are the head and neck, each upper limb, the chest, the abdomen, the upper back, the lower back and buttocks, the front of each lower limb, and the back of each lower limb. This makes up 99 percent of the human body. The remaining one percent is the genital area. With an infant or small child, more emphasis is placed on the head and trunk. * Age of the patient - This is important because small children and senior citizens usually have more severe reactions to burns and different healing processes. Kitchen * Keep hot items in the centre of the table and hot liquids and drinks away from children * Keep young children away from the cooking area * Use place mats instead of tablecloths - young children use tablecloths to pull themselves up * Roll up electrical cords and unplug appliances when not in use * Use pot holders, not towels * Turn pot handles, inward, toward the back of the stove; use back elements of stove for cooking * Store pot holders, paper towels and seasonings away from the stove top * Avoid full or puffy sleeves while cooking * Keep food away from the stove so no one will be tempted to reach across hot stove elements * Use a large lid or baking soda to put out small grease fires in pans * Do not store candy or toys above the stove Living/Family Room * Do not use extension cords in place of permanent wires * Cover unused electrical outlets with safety plugs * Use fireplace matches to light a fireplace * Keep matches and lighters away from children * Soak cigarettes in water before placing in garbage to ensure they are fully extinguished Bathroom * Run hot and cold water together * Set the hot water heater thermostat to low 120F / 50C * Never leave children alone in the bathroom * Use a ’no slip’ plastic mat in the bathtub to prevent falls If your clothing catches fire: * STOP – do not run * DROP – to the ground * ROLL – to put the fire out Never apply ointment, grease or butter to the burned area. Applying such products, actually confine the heat of the burn to the skin and do not allow the damaged area to cool. In essence, the skin continues to "simmer." After the initial trauma of the burn and after it has had sufficient time to cool, it would then be appropriate to put an ointment on the burn. Ointments help prevent infection. Bhuwan, for information on Burn Burn Treatment Treatment of Burn Burn Surgeons,Plastic Surgery,Post Burn, Contracture,Burn Hospitals,Burn Doctors and Burn Specialists.Please visit our site:http://www.burntreatment.in/
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