BURNS

OBJECTIVES OF THE DICUSSION:  By the end of this presentation, the reader/medical student will be able to;

1.  List the groupings of burns

2.  Describe the types of injury that can be caused by wounds on the human body

3.  Explain the different appearances of structure visible with the different degree on burns

INTRODUCTION: Burns and wounds are some of the most common presenting complaints in health facilities in developing countries.  Burns of the skin may be caused by flames, hot water or steam, sunlight, electricity, or corrosive chemicals including the most commonly used inorganic acids. The severity of burns ranges from minor to fatal, and the classification of burns is based on the extent of damage.

FIRST-DEGREE BURN: Here, only the superficial epidermis is burned, and is painful but not blistered. Light colored skin will appear red due to localized vasodilation in the damaged area. Vasodilation is part of the inflammatory response that brings more blood to the injured site.

SECOND-DEGREE BURN: Here, deeper layers of the epidermis are affected. Another aspect of inflammation is that damaged cells release histamine, which makes capillaries more permeable. More plasma leaves these capillaries and becomes tissue fluid, which collects at the burn site, creating blisters. The burned skin is often very painful.

THIRD-DEGREE BURN: The entire epidermis is charred or burned away, and the burn may extend into the dermis or subcutaneous tissue. Often such a burn is not painful at first, if the receptors in the dermis have been destroyed. Extensive third-degree burns are potentially life-threatening because of the loss of the stratum corneum. Without this natural barrier, living tissue is exposed to the environment and is susceptible to infection and dehydration. Bacterial infection is a serious problem for burn patients; the pathogens may get into the blood (septicemia) and quickly spread throughout the body. Dehydration may also be fatal if medical intervention does not interrupt and correct the following sequence: Tissue fluid evaporates from the burned surface, and more plasma is pulled out of capillaries into the tissue spaces. As more plasma is lost, blood volume and blood pressure decrease. This is called circulatory shock; eventually the heart simply does not have enough bloodto pump, and heart failure is the cause of death.

To prevent these serious consequences, third-degree burns are covered with donor skin or artificial skin until skin grafts of the patient’s own skin can be put in place.

RELATED;

1. INFLAMMATION  

2. HISTAMINE  

3. SHOCK

4.  PATHOLOGY

REFERENCES