Burns%20-%20initial%20management Signs and Symptoms

Types of Burn Injury

Thermal burns are due to external heat sources that raises skin & tissue temperature causing tissue cell death or charring

• Flame: Most common type of burn
• Inhalational injury: Found in 30% of victims of major flame burns
  
  • History of flame burns or burns in an enclosed space
  • Full thickness or deep dermal burns to face, neck, or upper torso
  • Singed nasal hair
  • Carbonaceous sputum or carbon particles in oropharynx
  • Charred lips, carbonaceous secretions
  • Posterior pharynx edema
  • Hoarseness, cough or wheezing

• Scald/contact: Usually found in skin that comes in contact with hot objects

Chemical Burns are due to strong acids, alkalis, detergents or solvents coming into contact with the skin

• Tissues are damaged by protein coagulation or liquefaction rather than hyperthermic activity

Electrical Burns are due to electrical current or lightning coming in contact with the body

• The extent of injury correlates with the voltage of the electric shock, & although not initially apparent, is often extensive, involving skeletal muscles & other tissues

Alarm Signs

• The following are alarm signs & necessitate admission
  • Burns >10-15% of the total body surface area (BSA)
  • Burns associated with smoke inhalation
  • Burns involving hands, feet, face, perineum & joint surfaces
  • Burns resulting from high-tension electrical injuries
  • Circumferential, full-thickness burns