Learn about causes, symptoms, risk factors and complications of burns and how to prevent and treat them.
Burns are injuries to the skin or deeper tissues caused by heat, chemicals, electricity, sunlight, steam or other sources. Common causes of burns at home include hot liquids, grease fires, and contact with hot surfaces, such as a stove or iron. Major burns need emergency medical help. Minor burns usually can be safely treated at home with first aid.
For major burns, after first aid and after a healthcare professional looks at your burns, treatment may involve one or more of the following: medicines, wound dressings, therapy and surgery. The goals of treatment are to control pain, remove dead tissue, prevent infection, lower scarring risk and restore function.
Burns can be minor medical problems or life-threatening emergencies. Many people die each year from fire-related burn injuries. Electricity and chemicals also cause severe burns. Scalding liquids are the most common cause of burns in children. Treatment of burns depends on the location and severity of the injury. Sunburns and small scalds can usually be […]
Burns are tissue damage that results from heat, overexposure to the sun or other radiation, or chemical or electrical contact. Burns can be minor medical problems or life-threatening emergencies. The treatment of burns depends on the location and severity of the damage. Sunburns and small scalds can usually be treated at home. Deep or widespread […]
Second-degree burns larger than 2 inches; an electrical burn; or more severe, third-degree burns — where skin is burned away, charred black or appears dry white — all require emergency medical attention. (adapted from Mayo Clinic Health Letter) — Dr. Henry Schiller, Trauma, Critical Care and General Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota