Burns

Also from Answers.com... Stroke Know the signs & symptoms of stroke.

More about Burns: Causes and symptoms Diagnosis Treatment Alternative treatment Prognosis Prevention Resources

Definition

Burns are injuries to tissues caused by heat, friction, electricity, radiation, or chemicals.

Description

Burns are characterized by degree, based on the severity of the tissue damage. A first-degree burn causes

redness and swelling in the outermost layers of skin (epidermis). A second-degree burn involves redness, swelling and blistering, and the damage may extend beneath the epidermis to deeper layers of skin (dermis). A third-degree burn, also called a full-thickness burn, destroys the entire depth of skin, causing significant scarring. Damage also may extend to the underlying fat, muscle, or bone.

The severity of the burn is also judged by the amount of body surface area (BSA) involved. Health care workers use the "rule of nines" to determine the percentage of BSA affected in patients more than 9 years old: each arm with its hand is 9% of BSA; each leg with its foot is 18%; the front of the torso is 18%; the back of the torso, including the buttocks, is 18%; the head and neck are 9%; and the genital area (perineum) is 1%. This rule cannot be applied to a young child's body proportions, so BSA is estimated using the palm of the patient's hand as a measure of 1% area.

The severity of the burn will determine not only the type of treatment, but also where the burn patient should receive treatment. Minor burns may be treated at home or in a doctor's office. These are defined as first- or second-degree burns covering less than 15% of an adult's body or less than 10% of a child's body, or a third-degree burn on less than 2% BSA. Moderate burns should be treated at a hospital. These are defined as first- or second-degree burns covering 15%-25% of an adult's body or 10%-20% of a child's body, or a third-degree burn on 2%-10% BSA. Critical, or major, burns are the most serious and should be treated in a specialized burn unit of a hospital. These are defined as first- or second-degree burns covering more than 25% of an adult's body or more than 20% of a child's body, or a third-degree burn on more than 10% BSA. In addition, burns involving the hands, feet, face, eyes, ears, or genitals are considered critical. Other factors influence the level of treatment needed, including associated injuries such as bone fractures and smoke inhalation, presence of a chronic disease, or a history of being abused. Also, children and the elderly are more vulnerable to complications from burn injuries and require more intensive care.

— Bethany Thivierge

Dictionary: burn¹  (bûrn)

1. 1. To cause to undergo combustion.
   2. To destroy with fire: burned the trash; burn a house down.
   3. To consume (fuel or energy, for example): burned all the wood that winter.
2. Physics. To cause to undergo nuclear fission or fusion.
3. To damage or injure by fire, heat, radiation, electricity, or a caustic agent: burned the toast; burned my skin with the acid.
4. 1. To execute or kill with fire: burning heretics at the stake.
   2. To execute by electrocution.
5. 1. To make or produce by fire or heat: burn a hole in the rug.
   2. To dispel; dissipate: The sun burned off the fog.
6. 1. To use as a fuel: a furnace that burns coal.
   2. To metabolize (glucose, for example) in the body.
7. To impart a sensation of intense heat to: The chili burned my mouth.
8. 1. To irritate or inflame, as by chafing or sunburn.
   2. To let (oneself or a part of one's body) become sunburned.
9. To brand (an animal).
10. To engrave or make indelible by as or as if by burning: The image of the accident was burned into my memory.
11. To harden or impart a finish to by subjecting to intense heat; fire: burn clay pots in a kiln.
12. To make angry: That remark really burns me.
13. 1. To defeat in a contest, especially by a narrow margin.
    2. Sports. To outplay or score on (an opponent), especially through quick or deceptive movement.
    3. To inflict harm or hardship on; hurt: “Huge loan losses have burned banks in recent years” (Christian Science Monitor).
    4. To swindle or deceive; cheat: We really got burned on the used car we bought.
14. To record data on (a compact disk, for example).

1. 1. To undergo combustion.
   2. To admit of burning: Wood burns easily.
2. To consume fuel: a rocket stage designed to burn for three minutes before being jettisoned.
3. Physics. To undergo nuclear fission or fusion.
4. 1. To emit heat or light by or as if by fire: campfires burning in the dark; the sun burning brightly in the sky.
   2. To become dissipated or to be dispelled by or as if by heat: The fog burned off as the sun came up.
5. To give off light; shine: a light burning over the door.
6. To be destroyed, injured, damaged, or changed by or as if by fire: a house that burned to the ground; eggs that burned and stuck to the pan.
7. 1. To be very hot; bake: a desert burning under the midday sun.
   2. To feel or look hot: a child burning with fever.
   3. To impart a sensation of heat: a liniment that burns when first applied.
8. 1. To become irritated or painful, as by chafing or inflammation: eyes burning from the smoke.
   2. To become sunburned or windburned.
9. To be consumed with strong emotion, especially:
   1. To be or become angry: an insult that really made me burn.
   2. To be very eager: was burning with ambition.
10. To penetrate by or as if by intense heat or flames: enemy ground radar burning through the fighters' electronic jammers; a look that burned into them.
11. To be engraved by or as if by burning: shame burning in my heart.
12. 1. To suffer punishment or death by or as if by fire: souls burning in hell.
    2. To be electrocuted.

1. An injury produced by fire, heat, radiation, electricity, or a caustic agent.
2. A burned place or area: a cigarette burn in the tablecloth.
3. An act, process, or result of burning: The fire settled down to a steady burn.
4. A sensation of intense heat or stinging pain: a chili burn on the tongue; the burn of alcohol on an open wound.
5. A sunburn or windburn.
6. Aerospace. A firing of a rocket.
7. A swindle.

burn in

1. To darken part of (a photograph print) by exposing unmasked areas.

1. To stop burning from lack of fuel.
2. To wear out or make or become inoperative as a result of heat or friction: The short circuit burned out the fuse.
3. To cause (a property owner or a resident) to have to evacuate the premises because of fire: The shopkeeper was burned out by arsonists.
4. To make or become exhausted, especially as a result of long-term stress: “Hours are long, stress is high, and many recruits drop out or burn out” (Robert J. Samuelson).

1. To make angry: Their rudeness really burns me up.
2. To travel over or through at high speed: drag racers burning up the track.

burn (one's) bridges

1. To eliminate the possibility of return or retreat.

1. To exhaust oneself or one's resources by leading a hectic or extravagant life.

1. To work or study very late at night.

1. In great amounts: They had money to burn.

[Middle English burnen, from Old English beornan, to be on fire, and from bærnan, to set on fire.]

SYNONYMS  burn, scorch, singe, sear, char, parch. These verbs mean to injure or alter by means of intense heat or flames. Burn, the most general, applies to the effects of exposure to a source of heat or to something that can produce a similar effect: burned the muffins in the oven. Scorch involves superficial burning that discolors or damages the texture of something: scorched the shirt with the iron. Singe specifies superficial burning and especially the deliberate removal of projections such as feathers from a carcass before cooking: singed my eyelashes when the fire flared up; singed the chicken before roasting it. Sear applies to surface burning of organic tissue: seared the lamb over high heat. To char is to use fire to reduce a substance to carbon or charcoal: wood charred by the fire. Parch in this sense emphasizes the drying and often fissuring of a surface: the hot sun that parched the soil.

A small stream; a brook.

[Middle English, from Old English burna.]

An injury to tissues caused by heat, chemicals, electricity, or irradiation effects.

The commonest type of burn is that due to thermal injury, in which some portion of the body surface is exposed to either moist or dry heat of sufficient temperature to cause local and systemic reactions. Clinically, the extent of such a burn is often expressed as first degree, second degree, and so forth. Different systems of classification exist.

First-degree burns result in some redness and swelling of the injured part, without necrosis of any tissue or the formation of blisters. Healing is completed in a few days without scarring.

Second-degree burns show a variable destruction of parts of the epidermis so that blistering occurs. Healing by regeneration in such superficial burns does not necessitate skin grafting, unless secondary infections ensue; no scarring results.

Third-degree burns are marked by complete destruction of the epidermis of a region, including the necrosis of accessory skin structures like hair and sweat glands. A brownish-black eschar marks the destroyed tissue. This is sloughed off and that defect becomes filled with granulation tissue that later consolidates and changes to form a dense, thick scar. Complications may occur without adequate care, and grafting is not unusual, sometimes being required because of contracture of the scar tissue.

In fourth-degree burns, tissue is destroyed to the level of or below the deep fascia lying beneath the subcutaneous fat and connective tissue of the body. Muscle, bone, deeper nerves, and even organs may be injured or destroyed by this severe degree of burn. Healing is usually a slow, involved process, requiring much reparative and reconstructive work by surgical specialists.

Electrical burns result from the amount of heat incident to the flow of a certain amount of electricity through the resistance offered by tissues. From a practical standpoint, most of the resistance offered to the passage of an electric current is that of the skin and the interface between the skin and the external conductor. Therefore, most electrothermal injuries are limited to the skin and immediately subjacent tissues, although deep penetration may follow large voltages.

Most chemical burns result from the action of corrosive agents which destroy tissues at the point of contact. Exposure of the skin, eyes, and gastrointestinal tract are commonest.

Film production: in filming, image that remains after the camera has focused on a shining object and then withdrawn. The picture tends to retain an after-ghost of the original image, which actually burns into the camera's picture tube.

Printing: term used for the part of the printing process when the image is imprinted on the plate (plate exposure).

Trade name for an energy drink.

1. Thermal damage to the skin or other tissues as a result of excessive heat. During the performance of vigorous physical activities, heat is generated by friction and the skin can be burned wherever it rubs against another surface. When a burn has occurred, you should avoid activities that risk further friction.

2. A form of weight training designed to increase the size of muscle. The exerciser makes rapid half contractions which produce a burning sensation in the muscle. This is believed to be due to the pumping of blood into muscle. See also pumping-up.

verb

1. To undergo combustion: blaze, combust, flame, flare. See hot/cold/lukewarm.
2. To undergo or cause to undergo damage by or as if by fire: char, scorch, sear, singe. See hot/cold/lukewarm.
3. To emit a bright light: beam, blaze, gleam, glow, incandesce, radiate, shine. See light/darkness.
4. To feel or look hot: bake, broil, roast, swelter. See hot/cold/lukewarm.
5. To feel or cause to feel a sensation of heat or discomfort: bite, smart, sting. See pain/pleasure.
6. To cause to become sore or inflamed: inflame, irritate, sting. See help/harm/harmless.
7. To cause to feel or show anger. anger, enrage, incense, infuriate, madden, provoke. Idioms: make one hot under the collar, make one's blood boil, put one's back up. See feelings.
8. To be or become angry: anger, blow up, boil over, bristle, explode, flare up, foam, fume, rage, seethe. Informal steam. Idioms: blow a fuse, blow a gasket, blow one'sstacktop, breathe fire, fly off the handle, get hot under the collar, hit theceilingroof, lose one's temper, see red. See feelings.
9. To be in a state of emotional or mental turmoil: boil, bubble, churn, ferment, seethe, simmer, smolder. See calm/agitation.

phrasal verb - burn out

To lose so much strength and power as to become ineffective or motionless: give out, run down. Slang poop out. See tired/fresh.

noun

Damage or a damaged substance that results from burning: char, scorch, sear, singe. See hot/cold/lukewarm.

Idioms beginning with burn:
burning question
burn into
burn one's bridges
burn one's fingers
burn oneself out
burn rubber
burn someone up

See also crash and burn; ears are burning; fiddle while Rome burns; (burn) in effigy; money burns a hole in one's pocket; money to burn; slow burn.

Definition: be excited about; yearn for
Antonyms: stifle, subdue

v

Definition: be on fire; set on fire
Antonyms: cool, extinguish, put out, quench, smother, wet

v

Definition: cheat
Antonyms: aid, help

A lesion caused by contact of heat, radiation, friction, or chemicals with tissue. Thermal burns are classified as follows: first degree, manifested by erythema; second degree, manifested by formation of vesicles; third degree, manifested by necrosis of the mucosa or dermis; and fourth degree, manifested by charring into the submucous or subcutaneous layers of the body.

Definition

Burns are injuries to the tissues caused by heat, friction, electricity, radiation, or chemicals. Such injuries cause the breakdown of body proteins, death of cells, loss of body fluids, and edema.

Description

Burns vary depending on the cause, the intensity, and the body parts involved. They are classified by degree, based on the severity of the tissue damage: A first-degree burn causes redness and swelling in the outermost layers of skin called the epidermis. A second-degree burn involves redness, swelling, and blistering. The damage extends beneath the epidermis to the deeper layers of skin, the dermis. A third-degree burn, also called a full-thickness burn, destroys the entire depth of skin, causing significant scarring. Damage also may extend to the underlying fat, muscle, or bone. Third-degree burns require immediate medical attention. Burns are the third leading cause of accidental death in North America.

The severity of a burn is judged by the amount of body surface area (BSA) involved as well as the depth of the burn. A burn is considered to be critical, or major, if a person has third-degree burns on more than 10% of the BSA or second-degree burns covering more than 25% of an adult's BSA, and more than 20% of a child's BSA. Such burns are serious and should be treated in a specialized hospital burn unit. Burns involving the hands, feet, face, eyes, ears, or genitals are considered critical, as well. Moderate burns are defined as first- or second-degree burns covering 15%-25% of an adult's body or 10%-20% of a child's body, or a third-degree burn on 2%-10% BSA. These burns also require medical attention.

Causes & Symptoms

Burns may be caused by any encounter, however brief, with heat greater than 120°F (49°C). The source of this heat may be the sun, hot liquids, steam, fire, electricity, friction (rug burns and rope burns,) and chemicals. Signs that the skin has been burned are localized redness, swelling, and pain. A blister may develop. The skin may peel, appear white or charred, and feel numb. A burn may trigger a headache or fever, and extensive burns may induce shock.

Thermal burns are caused by heat sources such as fire, hot liquids, gases or other objects. Radiation burns are usually due to excess exposure to the sun's rays, tanning beds, or x rays. Chemical burns are most likely to come from strong acids, alkalis, phenols, or phosphorus. Electrical burns may be quite severe due to the high heat generated by electric currents.

Diagnosis

A physician will diagnose a burn based upon visual examination, and will ask questions to determine the history of contact with possible sources of damage. Depending on the circumstances, there should be an evaluation of the condition of the lungs and breathing, related injuries, evidence of any suspected child abuse, and the extent and location of the burn. Shock and infection are often the results of moderate and major burns, and should be included in any evaluation.

Treatment

A number of herbal remedies, applied topically, can help mild burns heal. These include aloe (Aloe barbadensis or Aloe vera), St. John's wort,(Hypericum perforatum) Calendula officinalis, comfrey root (Symphytum officinale), and tea tree oil (Melaleuca spp.)

Nutritional support is particularly important for burn victims. Supplementing the diet with vitamins A, C, and E, zinc and B-complex, essential fatty acids (omega-3 and omego-6) and eating foods high in these nutrients can be very beneficial to the healing process. Proteins and fluid intake should be increased to replace losses. The traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) approach recommends foods that remove heat and toxins, nourish yin, and promote the production of body fluids. These foods include mung beans, kidney beans, lima beans, soybeans, cucumbers, potatoes, summer squash, sweet potatoes, and barley. In addition, freshly juiced ginger, potatoes, and cucumbers can be applied to burns to reduce pain and swelling. The pulp of fresh pumpkin can be used as a poultice (soft compress applied to the affected area). Chamomile tea decreases anxiety.

Homeopathic treatment should be given as soon as possible after the onset of the burn injury. Cantharis 30c is the most noteworthy remedy for burns. It is recommended to keep blisters from forming. A dose can be taken every 15 minutes for up to six doses.

Homeopathic calendula mother tincture can be useful to promote the healing of burns. Ten drops should be added to one ounce of water and applied to the burn three times daily. Arnica montana 30c can help prevent shock. Urtica urens 6c and Causticum 6c may also be useful for burns. Urtica may be applied to the skin as an ointment as well.

Guided imagery can assist with pain control.

Allopathic Treatment

Burn treatment usually consists of relieving pain, preventing infection, and maintaining body fluids, electrolytes, and calorie intake while the body heals. Children and the elderly are more vulnerable to complications from burn injuries and require more intensive care. Other factors that influence treatment include associated injuries such as bone fractures and smoke inhalation, presence of a chronic disease, a history of abuse, and the occurrence of shock or infection. Moderate and major burns should always be treated by a medical practitioner.

The first act of treating a burn is to stop the burning process. Small thermal burns should be immediately placed in cold water if possible. To avoid infection, the wound should be cleaned with soap and water, and all dirt should be carefully removed. Butter, shortening, or similar salve should never be applied to the burn since it prevents heat from escaping and drives the burning process deeper into the skin. Minor burns should be cleaned gently with soap and water. If the skin is broken or apt to be disturbed, the burned area should be coated lightly with an antibacterial ointment and covered with a sterile bandage. Pain relievers such as aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be used as needed. A doctor should be consulted if signs of infection appear: increased warmth, redness, pain, or swelling; pus or similar drainage from the wound; swollen lymph nodes; or red streaks spreading from the burn.

At an accident site, the victim should be immediately removed from the burning process. Clothing should be removed from all affected areas. Any clothing embedded in the burn should not be disturbed. Dry chemicals should be brushed from the skin; burns caused by acids, alkalis, phosphorus, or organic compounds, such as phenols and cresols, should be flushed with water continuously over an extended time.

In cases of moderate and major burn damage, further medical treatment may include assessment of breathing and treatment if the patient's airways or lungs have been damaged; a flush of any chemicals; and the administering of intravenous fluids, since burns may dramatically deplete body fluids. Antibiotic ointments are usually applied to burns, and the patient is also given antibiotics intravenously to prevent infection. A tetanus shot may also be given. Dead tissue is surgically removed, or debrided. Once the burned area is cleaned and treated, it is usually covered with sterile bandages. Oral narcotics such as codeine may be required for pain relief. The burn patient may have to undergo physical and occupational therapy. If there is extensive scarring, a skin graft is usually performed.

Expected Results

Prognosis is dependent upon the degree of the burn, the amount of body surface covered, whether critical body parts are affected, any additional injuries or complications, and the promptness of medical treatment. The epidermis in first-degree burns regenerates rapidly; not much scarring results unless infection develops. With deeper burns, the process of healing is slow, and scars often develop. This may limit mobility and function, making physical therapy necessary. In some cases, surgery may be advisable to remove scar tissue and restore appearance. Some people, especially young women and people with dark skin, may develop keloids.

Secondary infections are common, and may be a major cause of loss of function, disfigurement, and death. Patients with burns over more than 40% BSA, those older than 60 years old, and those with inhalation injuries are at risk for burn injuries that result in death.

Prevention

Burns are commonly received from fires in the home. Properly placed and working smoke detectors in combination with rapid evacuation plans will minimize a person's exposure to smoke and flames in the event of a fire. Children must be taught never to play with matches, lighters, fireworks, gasoline or cleaning fluids.

Burns from scalding with hot water or other liquids may be prevented by setting the water heater thermostat no higher than 120°F (49°C), checking the temperature of bath water before getting into the tub, and turning pot handles on the stove out of the reach of children. Care should be used when removing covers from pans of steaming foods and when uncovering or opening foods heated in a microwave oven.

Sunburns may be avoided by the liberal use of sunscreen. Hats, loose clothing, and umbrellas also provide protection, especially between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., when the most damaging ultraviolet rays are present.

Burns are often received from electrical appliances. Care should be exercised around stoves, space heaters, irons, and curling irons. Electrical burns may be prevented by covering unused outlets with safety plugs and keeping electrical cords away from infants and toddlers who might chew on them.

Chemical burns may be prevented by wearing protective clothing, including gloves and eye shields. Chemicals should always be used according to the manufacturer's instructions and properly stored when not in use.

Resources

Books

The Burton Goldberg Group. Alternative Medicine: The Definitive Guide. Washington: Future Medicine Publishing, 1995.

Lininger, D.C., Skye, editor-in-chief, et al. The Natural Pharmacy. California: Prima Health, 1998.

Lockie, Dr. Andrew and Dr. Nicola Geddes. The Complete Guide to homeopathy: The principles and Practice of Treatment with a Comprehensive Range of Self-Help Remedies for Common Ailments. London: Dorling Kindersley, Ltd., 1995.

Organizations

Shriners Hospitals for Children. 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607-1435.

Other

Health Answers. http://www.healthanswers.com (January 17, 2001).

The Merck Manual.http://www.merck.com/pubs/mmanual/section20/chapter276/276a.htm (January 17, 2001).

[Article by: Patience Paradox]

Definition

Burns are injuries to tissues that are caused by heat, friction, electricity, radiation, or chemicals.

Description

Burns are characterized by degree, based on the severity of the tissue damage. A first-degree burn causes redness and swelling in the outermost layers of skin (epidermis). A second-degree burn involves redness, swelling and blistering, and the damage may extend beneath the epidermis to deeper layers of skin (dermis). A third-degree burn, also called a full-thickness burn, destroys the entire depth of skin, causing significant scarring. Damage also may extend to the underlying fat, muscle, or bone.

Demographics

The severity of the burn is also judged by the amount of body surface area (BSA) involved. Healthcare workers use the "rule of nines" to determine the percentage of BSA affected in people more than 9 years of age: each arm with its hand is 9 percent of BSA; each leg with its foot is 18 percent; the front of the torso is 18 percent; the back of the torso, including the buttocks, is 18 percent; the head and neck are 9 percent; and the genital area (perineum) is 1 percent. This rule cannot be applied to a young child's body proportions, so BSA is estimated using the palm of a person's hand as a measure of 1 percent area.

The severity of the burn determines the type of treatment and also where the burned person should receive treatment. Minor burns may be treated at home or in a doctor's office. These are defined as first- or second-degree burns covering less than 15 percent of an adult's body or less than 10 percent of a child's body, or a third-degree burn on less than 2 percent BSA. Moderate burns should be treated at a hospital. These are defined as first- or second-degree burns covering 15 percent to 25 percent of an adult's body or 10 percent to 20 percent of a child's body, or a third-degree burn on 2 percent to 10 percent BSA. Critical, or major, burns are the most serious and should be treated in a specialized burn unit of a hospital. These are defined as first- or second-degree burns covering more than 25 percent of an adult's body or more than 20 percent of a child's body, or a third-degree burn on more than 10 percent BSA. In addition, burns involving the hands, feet, face, eyes, ears, or genitals are considered critical. Other factors influence the level of treatment needed, including associated injuries such as bone fractures and smoke inhalation, presence of a chronic disease, or a history of abuse. Also, children and the elderly are more vulnerable to complications from burn injuries and require more intensive care.

Causes and Symptoms

Burns may be caused by even a brief encounter with heat greater than 120°F (49°C). The source of this heat may be the sun (causing a sunburn), hot liquids, steam, fire, electricity, friction (causing rug burns and rope burns), and chemicals (causing caustic burn upon contact).

Signs of a burn are localized redness, swelling, and pain. A severe burn will also blister. The skin may also peel, appear white or charred, and feel numb. A burn may trigger a headache and fever. Extensive burns may induce shock, the symptoms of which are faintness, weakness, rapid pulse and breathing, pale and clammy skin, and bluish lips and fingernails.

When to Call the Doctor

A physician or healthcare professional should be consulted whenever first or second degree burns cover more than 15 percent of a person's body surface area (BSA) or third degree burns involve more than 2 percent of a victim's BSA.

Diagnosis

A physician will diagnose a burn based on visual examination and will also ask the burned person or family members questions to determine the best treatment. He or she may also check for smoke inhalation, carbon monoxide poisoning, cyanide poisoning, other event-related trauma, or, if suspected, evidence of child abuse.

Treatment

Burn treatment consists of relieving pain, preventing infection, and maintaining body fluids, electrolytes, and calorie intake while the body heals. Treatment of chemical or electrical burns is slightly different from the treatment of thermal burns but the objectives are the same.

Thermal Burn Treatment

The first act of thermal burn treatment is to stop the burning process. This may be accomplished by letting cool water run over the burned area or by soaking it in cool (not cold) water. Ice should never be applied to a burn. Cool (not cold) wet compresses may provide some pain relief when applied to small areas of first- and second-degree burns. Butter, shortening, or similar salve should never be applied to the burn because these prevent heat from escaping and drive the burning process deeper into the skin.

If the burn is minor, it may be cleaned gently with soap and water. Blisters should not be broken. If the skin of the burned area is unbroken and it is not likely to be further irritated by pressure or friction, the burn should be left exposed to the air to promote healing. If the skin is broken or apt to be disturbed, the burned area should be coated lightly with an antibacterial ointment and covered with a sterile bandage. Aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen may be taken to ease pain and relieve inflammation. A doctor should be consulted if these signs of infection appear: increased warmth, redness, pain, or swelling; pus or similar drainage from the wound; swollen lymph nodes; or red streaks spreading away from the burn.

In situations in which a person has received moderate or critical burns, lifesaving measures take precedence over burn treatment, and emergency medical assistance must be called. A person with serious burns may stop breathing, and artificial respiration (also called mouth-to-mouth resuscitation or rescue breathing) should be administered immediately. Also, a person with burns covering more than 12 percent BSA is likely to go into shock; this condition may be prevented by laying the person flat and elevating the feet about 12 inches (30 cm). Burned arms and hands should also be raised higher than the person's heart.

In rescues, a blanket may be used to smother any flames as the person is removed from danger. The person whose clothing is on fire should "stop, drop, and roll" or be assisted in lying flat on the ground and rolling to put out the fire. Afterwards, only burned clothing that comes off easily should be removed; any clothing embedded in the burn should not be disturbed. Removing any smoldering apparel and covering the person with a light, cool, wet cloth, such as a sheet but not a blanket or towel, will stop the burning process.

At the hospital, the staff provide further medical treatment. A tube to aid breathing may be inserted if the person's airways or lungs have been damaged, as can happen during an explosion or a fire in an enclosed space. Also, because burns dramatically deplete the body of fluids, replacement fluids are administered intravenously. The person is also given antibiotics intravenously to prevent infection, and he or she may also receive a tetanus shot, depending on his or her immunization history. Once the burned area is cleaned and treated with antibiotic cream or ointment, it is covered in sterile bandages, which are changed two to three times a day. Surgical removal of dead tissue (debridement) also takes place. As the burns heal, thick, taut scabs (eschar) form, which the doctor may have to cut to improve blood flow to the more elastic healthy tissue beneath. The person will also undergo physical and occupational therapy to keep the burned areas from becoming inflexible and to minimize scarring.

In cases where the skin has been so damaged that it cannot properly heal, a skin graft is usually performed. A skin graft involves taking a piece of skin from an unburned portion of the person's body (autograft) and transplanting it to the burned area. When doctors cannot immediately use the individual's own skin, a temporary graft is performed using the skin of a human donor (allograft), either alive or dead, or the skin of an animal (xenograft), usually that of a pig.

The burn victim also may be placed in a hyperbaric chamber, if one is available. In a hyperbaric chamber (which can be a specialized room or enclosed space), the person is exposed to pure oxygen under high pressure, which can aid in healing. However, for this therapy to be effective, the burned individual must be placed in a chamber within 24 hours of being burned.

Chemical Burn Treatment

Burns from liquid chemicals must be rinsed with cool water for at least 15 minutes to stop the burning process. Any burn to the eye must be similarly flushed with water. In cases of burns from dry chemicals such as lime, the powder should be completely brushed away before the area is washed. Any clothing which may have absorbed the chemical should be removed. The burn should then be loosely covered with a sterile gauze pad and the person taken to the hospital for further treatment. A physician may be able to neutralize the offending chemical with another before treating the burn like a thermal burn of similar severity.

Electrical Burn Treatment

Before electrical burns are treated at the site of the accident, the power source must be disconnected if possible and the victim moved away from it to keep the person giving aid from being electrocuted. Lifesaving measures again take priority over burn treatment, so breathing must be checked and assisted if necessary. Electrical burns should be loosely covered with sterile gauze pads and the person taken to the hospital for further treatment.

Alternative Treatment

In addition to the excellent treatment of burns provided by traditional medicine, some alternative approaches may be helpful as well. (Major burns should always be treated by a medical practitioner.) The homeopathic remedies Cantharis and Causticum can assist in burn healing. A number of botanical remedies, applied topically, can also help burns heal. These include aloe (Aloe barbadensis), oil of St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum), calendula (Calendula officinalis), comfrey (Symphytum officinale), and tea tree oil (Melaleuca spp.). Supplementing the diet with vitamin C, vitamin E, and zinc also is beneficial for wound healing.

Prognosis

The prognosis is dependent upon the degree of the burn, the amount of body surface covered, whether critical body parts were affected, any additional injuries or complications like infection, and the promptness of medical treatment. Minor burns may heal in five to ten days with no scarring. Moderate burns may heal in ten to 14 days and may leave scarring. Critical or major burns take more than 14 days to heal and leave significant scarring. Scar tissue may limit mobility and functionality, but physical therapy may overcome these limitations. In some cases, additional surgery may be advisable to remove scar tissue and restore appearance.

Prevention

Burns are commonly received in residential fires. Properly placed and working smoke detectors in combination with rapid evacuation plans minimize a person's exposure to smoke and flames in the event of a fire. Children must be taught never to play with matches, lighters, fireworks, gasoline, and cleaning fluids.

Burns by scalding with hot water or other liquids may be prevented by setting the water heater thermostat no higher than 120°F (49°C), checking the temperature of bath water before getting into the tub, and turning pot handles on the stove out of the reach of children. Care should be used when removing covers from pans of steaming foods and when uncovering or opening foods heated in a microwave oven.

Thermal burns are often received from electrical appliances. Care should be exercised around stoves, space heaters, irons, and curling irons.

Sunburns may be avoided by the liberal use of a sunscreen containing either an opaque active ingredient such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide or a nonopaque active ingredient such as PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid) or benzophenone. Hats, loose clothing, and umbrellas also provide protection, especially between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. when the most damaging ultraviolet rays are present in direct sunlight.

Electrical burns may be prevented by covering unused electrical outlets with safety plugs and keeping electrical cords away from infants and toddlers who might chew on them. Persons should also seek shelter indoors during a thunderstorm to avoid being struck by lightning.

Chemical burns may be prevented by wearing protective clothing, including gloves and eyeshields. Chemical agents should always be used according to the manufacturer's instructions and properly stored when not in use.

Nutritional Concerns

Adequate nutrition, including liquids and electrolytes, is essential when recovering from burns.

Parental Concerns

Parents should fire-proof their homes to protect small children. They should teach fire safety to their children from a very young age. Smoke detectors should be installed and tested at least twice each year. Parents are advised to discuss fire and escape routes (including alternates) from their home with their children. Holding a fire drill at night may be momentarily unpopular but may save lives and prevent serious injuries. Proper childproofing tools can prevent young children from being burned in the kitchen and bathroom.

Resources

Books

Antoon, Alia Y., and Mary K. Donovan. "Burn Injuries." In Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics, 17th ed. Edited by Richard E. Behrman, et al. Philadelphia: Saunders, 2003, pp. 330–7.

Bosworth, Chrissie. Burns Trauma: Management and Nursing Care, 2nd ed. London: Whurr Publishers, 2002.

Demling, Robert H., and Jonathon D. Gates. "Medical Aspects of Trauma and Burn Care." In Cecil Textbook of Medicine, 22nd ed. Edited by Lee Goldman, et al. Philadelphia: Saunders, 2003, pp. 642–8.

Hall, Jesse B., and Gregory Schmidt. Principles of Critical Care, 3rd ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2004.

Periodicals

Collier, M. L., et al. "Home treadmill friction injuries: a five-year review." Journal of Burn Care Rehabilitation 25, no. 5 (2004): 441–4.

Patterson, D. R., et al. "Optimizing control of pain from severe burns: a literature review." American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis 47, no. 1 (2004): 43–54.

Rabbitts, A., et al. "Car radiator burns: a prevention issue." Journal of Burn Care Rehabilitation 25, no. 5 (2004): 452–5.

Stokes, D. J., et al. "The effect of burn injury on adolescents' autobiographical memory." Behavior Research and Therapy 42, no. 11 (2004): 1357–65.

Organizations

American Academy of Dermatology. 930 N. Meacham Road, PO Box 4014, Schaumburg, IL 60168–4014. Web site: www.aad.org/.

American Academy of Emergency Medicine. 611 East Wells Street, Milwaukee, WI 53202. Web site: www.aaem.org/.

American Academy of Family Physicians. 11400 Tomahawk Creek Parkway, Leawood, KS 66211–2672. Web site: www.aafp.org/.

American Academy of Pediatrics. 141 Northwest Point Boulevard, Elk Grove Village, IL 60007–1098. Web site: www.aap.org/default.htm.

American College of Emergency Physicians. PO Box 619911, Dallas, TX 75261–9911. Web site: www.acep.org/.

American College of Surgeons. 633 North St. Clair Street, Chicago, IL 60611–32311. Web site: www.facs.org/.

International Shrine Headquarters. 2900 Rocky Point Dr., Tampa, FL 33607–1460. Web site: www.shrinershq.org/index.html.

Web Sites

"Burns." KidsHealth. Available online at (accessed December 7, 2004).

"Burns." MedlinePlus. Available online at www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/burns.html (accessed December 7, 2004).

"Burns." Merck Manual. Available online at www.merck.com/mmhe/sec24/ch289/ch289a.html (accessed December 7, 2004).

"Burns: Taking Care of Burns." American College of Family Physicians, September 2002. Available online at (accessed December 7, 2004).

"Chemical Burns to the Skin." University of Iowa Health Care. Available online at www.uihealthcare.com/topics/prepareemergencies/prep4904.html (accessed December 7, 2004).

[Article by: L. Fleming Fallon, Jr., MD, DrPH]

v. to deliberately expose the true status of a person under cover.

the legitimate destruction and burning of classified material, usually accomplished by the custodian of the material, as prescribed in regulations.

See the Introduction, Abbreviations and Pronunciation for further details.

For more information on burn, visit Britannica.com.

A spoken charm for curing burns and scalds has been recorded from various parts of England. The Shropshire version ran:

There was three angels came from the west,
The one brought fire and the other brought frost,
The other brought the book of Jesus Christ.
In the name of Father, Son and Holy Ghost, Amen.
(Burne, 1883: 183-4)

There came two Angels from the north,
One was fire and one was Frost.
Out, Fire; in Frost.
In the name of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
(Latham, 1878: 35-6)

Damage to the skin or other tissue as a result of excessive heat. In sport, burns are seldom caused by direct heat (except sunburn). They are usually caused by friction when the skin rubs against another surface. A burn should be cooled immediately with tap water or an ice pack. The pain of a minor burn may be relieved with an analgesic. Extensive burns require hospitalization. The ability of a burns sufferer to participate in sport is determined largely by the extent and location of the burns. Even with minor burns, activities that involve the risk of friction against the affected areas should be avoided. In the case of more severe burns, activities that could lead to infection should be avoided. See also blister, mat burn.

Injury to tissues caused by contact with dry heat (fire), moist heat (steam or liquid), chemicals, electricity, lightning or radiation. The damage done by a burn includes shock due to the tissue damage, severe dehydration due to the loss of the protective effect of the skin, infection of the burn site, damage to lungs and eyes by exposure to high temperatures and smoke and debris, damage to external somatic addenda including vulva, teats, prepuce, scrotum. The critical decision in a burn case is whether to allow the animal a faint chance of recovery and therefore to continue with treatment. See also bushfire injury.

• friction b. — the skin is damaged by the heat created by friction as by a rope burn, or when a dog is dragged by its lead behind a car.
• full thickness b. — involves all of the epidermis and the dermis and may include underlying structures, as well. In alternative classification, it is equivalent to third- and fourth-degree burns.
• partial thickness b. — involves part or all of the epidermis. Generally, equivalent to first- and second-degree burns.
• solar b. — sunburn is noticeable mainly in white pigs, white cats and in dogs with little or no pigmentation on the nose (areas not protected by haircoat) or following close clipping. Of little importance in pigs, other than esthetic importance, but in dogs and cats causes actinic dermatitis, which occasionally precedes the development of squamous cell carcinoma. See also solar dermatitis, photosensitive dermatitis.
• sole b. — damage caused to the sensitive laminae of the feet by the prolonged application of an overheated horseshoe during a shoeing session. The horse is very lame and part of the hoof may subsequently slough.

Burning is the process of combustion, an exothermic reaction between a substance (the fuel) and a gas (the oxidizer).

Burn, burning or burned may also refer to:

• Burn (injury), injury to the skin caused by heat, electricity, chemicals, or radiation
• Burn (stream), in Scotland and north-eastern England, a type of stream which is smaller than a river
• Burn (computer game), a computer game, a first-person shooter computer game released in 2007
• Burn, North Yorkshire, a village in North Yorkshire, England
• Burn and Burn Sugar Free, energy drinks by Coca-Cola
• Burn in, to exercise components (such as electronics) before putting them into service
• Burning, a self sustaining thermonuclear (nuclear fusion) reaction
• Burning, the recording process for various technologies based on compact discs or DVDs
• Burning-in, a manipulation during photographic enlargement to darken selected areas of the final print
• Burned (image), an image with highlights or shadows considerably outside the medium's gamut
• Execution by burning, an execution by fire, usually by being burned to death on a pyre
• Indian burn, common school prank also called a Chinese burn
• Burn notice, an official statement issued between intelligence agencies stating that an individual or a group is or has become unreliable.

In music

Bands:

• Burn (UK band), a heavy rock band from Loughborough, England
• Burn (U.S. band), a New York hardcore band
• Burned (U.S. band), a North Carolina hardcore/metalcore/death band
• Burning (band), a Spanish rock band

Albums:

• Burn (album), a 1974 album by Deep Purple
• Burn (Sister Machine Gun album), a 1995 album by Sister Machine Gun
• Burn (Jo Dee Messina album), a 2000 album by Jo Dee Messina
• "Burn" (Elemeno P), a 2005 single from New Zealand rock band Elemeno P
• Burnin', a 1970 album by The Wailers
• Burning (album), a 1999 EP by house DJ/producer Pépé Bradock
• Burned (album), a 1995 album by Electrafixion

Songs:

• "Burn" (Tina Arena song), a song from Tina Arena's 1997 album In Deep
• "Burn" (Usher song), a song from Usher's 2004 album Confessions
• "Burn" (Nine Inch Nails song), a song by Nine Inch Nails found on the Natural Born Killers Soundtrack
• "Burn", a song by Rancid on the album Let's Go
• "Burn", a song The Cure featured on the The Crow Soundtrack
• "Burn", a song by Shannon Noll on his 2004 album That's What I'm Talking About
• "Burn", a song by Mushroomhead on their 2006 album Savior Sorrow
• "Burn", a song by Alkaline Trio on their 2005 album Crimson
• "Burn", a song by Collective Soul found on their album Home
• "Burn", a song by Three Days Grace on their album Three Days Grace
• "Burn", a song by Year Of The Rabbit on their EP Hunted
• "Burn", a song by Against Me! which first appeared on their 2001 EP Crime As Forgiven By
• "Burn", a song by Fear Factory on the 1997 remix album Remanufacture - Cloning Technology
• "Burn", a song by King Diamond on the 1990 album The Eye
• "Burn", a song by Michael Angelo Batio on his 2005 album Hands Without Shadows
• "Burn", a song by Deep Purple on their 1974 album Burn
• "Burn", a song by Sevendust on their 2007 album Alpha
• "Burn", a song by Apocalyptica on their 2007 album Worlds Collide

In media

• Burn!, a 1969 film
• Burn, a 1998 film directed by Scott Storm
• Burn, a 2005 novel by James Patrick Kelly
• Burned, a 2005 novel by Ellen Hopkins

See also

• Burns (disambiguation)
• Burnin' (disambiguation)
• Burner
• Immolation
• Fire

This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the same title. If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article.

This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)