MUST READ......BURNS AND HOW TO HANDLE GETTING BURNT.

Burns can be minor medical problems or life-threatening emergencies. Some of the most severe burns are caused by electricity or chemicals. Scalding liquids are the most common cause of burns in children.
Sunburns and small scalds can usually be treated at home, but deep or widespread burns need immediate medical attention. People with severe burns often require treatment at specialized burn units. Skin grafts may be necessary to cover large wounds.

For most burns, the very first thing to do is to flood the injury with cool tap water. Ice is not recommended because it can cause additional damage to the burned tissue.

Symptoms

Burns don't affect the skin uniformly, so a single injury can reach varying depths. Distinguishing a minor burn from a more serious burn involves determining the degree of damage to the tissues of the body. The following are four classifications of burns:

• First-degree burn. This minor burn affects only the outer layer of the skin (epidermis). It causes redness and pain and usually resolves with first-aid measures within several days to a week. Sunburn is a classic example.
• Second-degree burn. These burns affect both the epidermis and the second layer of skin (dermis), causing redness, pain and swelling. A second-degree burn often looks wet or moist. Blisters may develop and pain can be severe. Deep second-degree burns can cause scarring.
• Third-degree burn. Burns that reach into the fat layer beneath the dermis are called third-degree burns. The skin may appear stiff, waxy white, leathery or tan. Third-degree burns can destroy nerves, causing numbness.
• Fourth-degree burn. The most severe form of burn affects structures well beyond the skin, such as muscle and bones. The skin may appear blackened or charred. If nerve damage is substantial, you may feel no pain at all.

When to see a doctor

While minor burns can be cared for at home, call your doctor if you experience:

• Increased pain, swelling, redness or discharge in the burned area
• A burn that doesn't heal in several weeks
• New, unexplained symptoms

Seek emergency medical assistance for:

• Burns that cover the hands, feet, face, groin, buttocks or a major joint
• Chemical or electrical burns
• Third- or fourth-degree burns
• Difficulty breathing or burns to the airway.

CAUSES

Many substances can cause burns, including:

• Fire
• Hot liquid or steam
• Hot metal, glass or other objects
• Electrical currents
• Radiation from X-rays or radiation therapy to treat cancer
• Sunlight or ultraviolet light from a sunlamp or tanning bed
• Chemicals such as strong acids, lye, paint thinner or gasoline

COMPLICATIONS

Deep or widespread burns can lead to many complications,

including:

Infection;  Burns can leave skin vulnerable to bacterial

infection and increase your risk of sepsis, a life-

threatening infection that travels through your

bloodstream and affects your whole body. Sepsis is a

rapidly progressing, life-threatening condition that can

cause shock and organ failure.

Low blood volume (hypovolemia);  Burns can damage

blood vessels and cause fluid loss. This may result in low

blood volume (hypovolemia). Severe blood and fluid loss

prevents the heart from pumping enough blood to the

body.

Dangerously low body temperature (hypothermia);  The

skin helps control the body's temperature, so when a

large portion of the skin is injured, you lose body heat.

This increases your risk of hypothermia — when the body

loses heat faster than it can produce heat, causing a

dangerously low body temperature.

Breathing (respiratory) problems; Breathing hot air or

smoke can burn airways and cause breathing difficulties.

Smoke inhalation damages the lungs and can cause

respiratory failure.

Scarring;  Burns can cause scars and keloids — ridged

areas caused by an overgrowth of scar tissue.

Bone and joint problems;  Deep burns can limit

movement of the bones and joints. Scar tissue can form

and cause contractures, when skin, muscles or tendons

shorten and tighten, permanently pulling joints out of

position.

TREATMENT AND DRUGS

You can treat first-degree burns and small second-degree

burns at home using over-the-counter products or aloe.

Minor burns usually resolve within a few weeks.

Seek emergency treatment for burns that are moderate,

severe, or widespread — or if the burns involve your hands,

feet, groin or face.

Medications

Depending on the severity of your burn, you may require:

Intravenous (IV) fluids;  Doctors deliver fluids

continuously through a vein (intravenously) to prevent

dehydration and organ failure.

Pain relievers;  Healing burns can be incredibly painful. In

many cases, morphine is required — particularly during

dressing changes. Anti-anxiety medications may also be

helpful.

Burn creams; A variety of products can be applied to the

burn to help keep it moist, reduce pain, prevent infection

and speed healing.

Antibiotics;  If you develop an infection, you may need

intravenous antibiotics.

Tetanus shot ;Your doctor might recommend a tetanus

shot after a burn injury.

Physical therapy;

If the burned area is large, especially if it covers any joints,

you may need physical therapy exercises designed to

stretch the skin so the joints can remain flexible. Other

types of exercises can improve muscle strength and

coordination.

Surgical and other procedures;

In some cases, you may need one or more of the following

procedures:

Breathing assistance; If you've been burned on the face

or neck, your throat may swell shut. If that appears

likely, your doctor may insert a tube down your windpipe

(trachea) to keep oxygen supplied to your lungs.

Tube feeding;  Your metabolism goes into overdrive when

your body starts trying to heal your burns. To provide

adequate nutrition for this task, a feeding tube may be

threaded through your nose to your stomach.

Decompression; If a burn scab (eschar) goes completely

around a limb, it can tighten and cut off the blood

circulation. An eschar that goes completely around the

chest can make it difficult to breathe. Cutting the eschar

in several places can relieve this pressure.

Skin grafts;  Sections of your own healthy skin are

needed to replace the scar tissue caused by deep burns.

Donor skin from cadavers or pigs can be used as a

temporary solution.

Reconstruction; Plastic surgeons can improve the

appearance of burn scars and increase the flexibility of

joints affected by scarring.

LIFESTYLE AND HOME REMEDIES 

To treat first-degree burns and small second-degree burns,

follow these steps:

Cool the burn; Run cool tap water over the burn or put

the burned areas in room-temperature water for 15 to 30

minutes. Don't use ice or ice water. Putting ice directly

on a burn can cause further damage to the wound.

Clean the wound; Use mild soap and tap water to wash

the injury. Gently remove any loose bits of debris in the

wound. If blisters are intact, don't break them.

Apply a lotion or moisturizer; Try anesthetic cream or

aloe gel to soothe the area and prevent dryness.

Cover the burn; Wrap a sterile gauze bandage loosely to

avoid putting too much pressure on the burn.

Take pain relievers; Over-the-counter pain relievers

include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), naproxen

(Aleve) and acetaminophen (Tylenol, others).