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