Burns: symptoms, causes, treatment, etc. & bull; hello healthy

Definition of burns

Burns are a type of open wound that occurs in the tissues of the human body. Damage can be caused by heat, chemicals, electricity, sunlight, or radiation. This condition is a medical problem that is classified as mild to life threatening.

This condition is characterized by severe damage to the skin, which causes the cells on the affected skin to die. The most common causes are hot liquids, fire, and flammable substances or liquids.

This condition can also cause swelling, blistering of the skin, the formation of sores, and in some severe cases, shock and death. Infection is also at risk because the protective layer of the skin is damaged.

Treatment of a burn depends on the cause, how severe it is, and how much of the body is affected. Antibiotic creams are usually used to prevent or treat infections.

In more serious conditions, the skin that has been burnt can be replaced with a surgical procedure.

How common are burns?

This condition is very common and can affect anyone of all ages.

According to the World Health Organization, approximately 265,000 deaths annually are caused by burns. 96% of fatal fire injuries occur in middle and low income countries.

Not only casualties, millions of people also experience lifelong disabilities, which is accompanied by discrimination and stigma from those around them.

In addition, women are more prone to getting injured because they often do household activities, especially cooking. This condition can also affect children because children tend to be careless and have curiosity about flammable objects.

Degree of burns

How are burn degrees classified?

Based on the severity, burns are divided into several different classifications. The following are the degrees of burns that are briefly described.

1. First degree

Also known as superficial burns, first-degree burns only affect the outer layer of the skin or epidermis. These wounds will usually heal faster and will not leave long-term damage.

First degree sores are characterized by redness and slight pain. The most common examples are sunburn or sunburned.

2. Second degree

At this degree, the wound can be divided into superficial and deep. In superficial second degree burns, the skin will show a bright red color, blistered, swollen, and shiny or wet.

The wound will be painful to touch. This degree affects the epidermis layer and the upper dermis layer, which is the layer of skin under the epidermis.

Meanwhile, second degree burns are characterized by dry, pale and white skin when pressed. At this degree, the wound affects the entire epidermis and part of the dermis.

In some more severe cases, the wound will leave scars and a permanent discoloration of the skin.

3. Third degree

A third degree wound completely destroys the epidermis and dermis. The sores can also affect the subcutaneous tissue, the deepest layer of the skin.

The appearance of the wound is no longer red, but will appear brown, white, yellow, or look charred. Wounds of this degree do not feel painful to the touch because they have damaged the nerves of the affected skin.

4. Fourth degree

This is the most severe and profound degree. Fourth degree injuries are potentially life threatening. At this stage, the entire layer of skin has been damaged and has reached your bones and muscles.

The degree of injury can sometimes change as the wound spreads to the deepest part of the skin. Serious injuries can lead to complications, such as bone infections and joint problems.

Signs and symptoms of burns

You may have seen or experienced burns before, for example from cooking or repairing cars. Depending on the degree of injury, the symptoms may be different.

Generally, signs and symptoms include:

• reddish skin,
• pain in the area of ​​the wound,
• blisters,
• swollen skin,
• peeling skin,
• blistered skin, as well
• changes in skin color to white, brown, yellow, or black.

There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If your wound is more severe and is causing unreasonable pain, go to the doctor right away for treatment.

When to see a doctor for burns?

For first degree burns, you can usually treat them yourself with home remedies. However, if you have experienced serious symptoms as below, you should immediately go to the doctor.

• Wounds on the hands, feet, face, groin, buttocks, and almost all over the body.
• Deep or high degree wound.
• The wound causes the skin to look peeling.
• The wound looks like a black, brown, or white stain.
• Chemical injury or electric shock.
• Difficulty heating up.
• The pain doesn't go away.
• The blisters don't heal in 2 weeks.

Each person's body shows varying signs and symptoms. To get the most appropriate treatment and according to the degree of your wound, always consult a doctor.

Causes of burns

The condition of damaged skin tissue can be caused by several things, such as heat, exposure to radiation, chemicals, or contact with electric currents. The most common cause is direct contact with fire, which usually occurs in the event of a fire.

The following is an explanation of the causes of burns:

1. Friction

If a rough, hot, and hard object rubs against your skin, you will experience burns friction or friction. Usually, this injury is experienced by people who have an accident such as falling from a motorcycle or bicycle.

2. Frostbite

Frostbite occurs when the skin is in direct contact with objects or is exposed to very cold temperatures for long periods of time.

3. Directly touching a hot object

Skin that is exposed to hot objects such as liquid, fire, or metal can cause injury. The air or smoke that is too hot can also cause skin sores to appear.

4. Radiation exposure

These sores occur due to prolonged exposure to radiation or ultraviolet rays from the sun. The main causes are sunlight and X-rays.

5. Chemicals that trigger burns

Often times, the chemicals that cause burns are liquids with a strong acid or base such as hydrochloric acid or sodium hydroxide. Exposure to this substance can occur at home, school, or work.

Other chemicals that can cause burns include car battery acid, bleaches and cleaners, and ammonia. Treating burns from chemical substances must be done immediately.

6. Electric shock

If you touch an electric current or get electrocuted, the layers of your skin will be damaged and injured.

Burn risk factors

Burns are a condition that can occur in people of all ages. However, there are several factors that can increase your risk of developing this condition.

Having one or more risk factors does not mean you will definitely experience this injury. In some cases, people suffering from this condition don't have any risk factors.

Below are the risk factors that can trigger the burn condition.

• Age: children have a great curiosity about the objects around them, including those that are flammable. For this reason, they need special attention so that accidents do not occur.
• Living in a house without a smoke detector: fires are more difficult to prevent in places where smoke detectors are not available.
• Smoke: If not careful, this wound can result from being burned by a cigarette butt or when you light a match. It is also very dangerous if done in a flammable place.
• Use microwave: use microwave Failure to follow food labels or cooking rules has the potential to cause fire.
• Working with heat source objects or power lines: sticking with metal, metal, and electrical cables increases your risk of injury.
• Improper storage of flammable objects: Items such as a lighter, hairspray, or deodorant should be stored away from the reach of the flame. If not, this will trigger a spark.
• Using the stove: Doing frequent activities in the kitchen such as cooking on the stove or turning on the gas increases your chances of getting hurt.

Burn complications

Compared to first and second degree wounds, third degree injuries are more likely to cause complications. In severe cases, complications can lead to death.

The following are complications that can occur if the wound is not treated as soon as possible.

• Bacterial infection
• Lack of fluids or hypovolemia
• Shock
• Tetanus
• Sepsis
• Hypothermia in wounds due to too cold air
• Breathing problems due to smoke or air that is too hot
• Bone and joint problems
• Edema or fluid buildup in certain parts of the body

Examination and treatment of burns

How is burns checked?

At the time of the examination, the doctor will see what kind of burns have occurred on your skin. Then, the doctor determines the severity of your situation by knowing the percentage of your total body surface that is injured.

In general, the area of ​​skin around the palms of your hands is 1 percent of the total surface area of ​​your body. If the area of ​​the injured body skin reaches 25% of the total body area, the wound you are suffering from is classified as severe.

After that, your doctor may order other tests to determine whether or not the wound has affected other parts of your body.

How are burns treated?

Minor injuries can be treated at home. The condition will heal in a few weeks. However, you still have to treat burns in the following way.

• Rinse the injured skin under cold running water for at least five minutes, you can also compress using a cold towel. Do not use ice water.
• After the skin has cooled, apply it with a lotion or moisturizer made from aloe vera. Antibiotic ointments such as bacitracin or sulfadiazine can also be used to help promote healing and prevent infection.
• Cover the wound with a clean dry bandage. Avoid covering the wound too dating so as not to put pressure on the injured area.

Unlike the case, if the burn is more serious, the wound must be treated immediately by a doctor. The type of treatment that will be given varies, it can be in the form of drugs, surgery, or other medical treatments.

Some of the advanced treatments include the following.

Water based treatment

The medical team who treats your wound will provide water-based therapy, such as ultrasound mist therapy. Its purpose is to clean wounds on the skin.

Infusion

You may also need intravenous fluids to prevent dehydration and other organ failure.

Drug painkiller and sedative

The burn may be very painful. The doctor will provide medicines painkiller and sedatives, like morgin.

Antibiotics

If you find that you are showing signs of infection in the wound, you will need medication or an antibiotic infusion.

Tetanus shot

Your doctor will also recommend that you get a tetanus shot after you have a wound.

Respiratory apparatus

This tool is given if the burns you suffer are located on the neck or face. If this happens, your throat is likely swollen and it is difficult for air to enter.

Hose for food

Very severe skin tissue damage may cause the sufferer to have difficulty eating. The doctor will insert a tube that can pass food through your nose.

Skin graft surgery

This procedure is done by taking a part of your skin that is healthy to replace the part of the skin that has been damaged. Another solution is to use a skin donor from a corpse or pig skin.

Plastic Surgery

Plastic or reconstructive surgery can improve the appearance of the wound. In addition, the flexibility of the joints affected by the injury will also be much better.

Home remedies

Below are lifestyle and home remedies that can help you deal with this condition.

• Avoid applying butter or oil to the wound.
• Do not apply ice or cold water directly to the wound
• If the skin starts to blister, do not touch or apply pressure. These things can cause damage to your skin.
• Those who are exposed to electric injuries should go to the hospital immediately so that it will not affect other parts or organs of the body.
• Chemical wounds can be treated with cold water. Remove any clothing or jewelry that has chemicals in them.
• Cover the wound with sterile gauze or a clean cloth.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.