Burns

Description

The reaction of the organism to heat, radiation, electricity or chemicals, which leads to skin damage, and sometimes organs, as well. Electric burns and burns caused by radiation may also cover the tissues below the skin, e.g. tissue of digestive tract, nerves, spinal cord, heart and brain. Burns caused by contact cover primarily skin. They can be artificial and can damage all layers of the skin. If the injury gets to hairs in the nose or if the person coughs out dark sputum, it should go to see a doctor urgently, because a damage of respiratory tract might have happened. Burns that cover major part of the body could have for the consequence big loss of fluids, including life-threatening dehydration. Babies, little children and elderly are at risk of appearing of complications.

Symptoms

Skin injury causes: pain, redness, blister, dehydration and skin infection. Respiratory tract infection causes: cough, burned hears in nose, shortness of breath, difficult breathing.

Overview

Anamnesis is being taken and physical examination is being done. Blood analysis and X-rays of the chest should be done in more serious burns.

Tests

Complete blood count (CBC) and biochemical blood analysis.

Specialists

General Practice, Internal Medicine, Traumatology

Therapy

Lighter form of burns is treated by healing the wound and reducing the pain. Burn can be put under the cold water, washed with a mild soap and covered by a clean dressing. More severe form of burns, that cover whole leg or arm, could have for the consequence reduced blood supply and they require urgent surgical intervention-eshartomia. Patient with more severe forms of burns that affect bigger surfaces of the body should be hospitalized and should intake lot of intravenous fluids. Treatment of babies and elderly requires more aggressive method. Burns on hands and face should be treated separately to remove scars and prevent permanent damage.