What Causes Burns, Their Grading, and Treatment
All of us have at some point in our childhood or adult life suffered skin damage caused by a burn. In many cases, the sensation and experience were extremely painful.
A burn is defined as an injury to the skin tissue caused by a variety of factors. Burns can occur from exposure of the human body to heat or cold, as well as from radiation, chemicals, or friction.
Classification of Burns
- Thermal Burns: electric heating element, steam iron, hot water/oil, etc.
- Chemical Burns: household cleaners, acid, etc.
- Electrical Burns: electric shock, general contact with electrical current
- Radiation Burns: from the sun, lasers, or general exposure to radiation
Burns are also classified based on their depth and extent of tissue damage:
- First, second, third, and fourth degree burns.
First and second degree burns affect the superficial layers of the skin and may reach part of the dermis. Third degree burns destroy all elements of the skin and cause thrombosis of the subcutaneous vascular network. Fourth degree burns destroy all tissue layers from the skin down to the bone, sometimes including the bone itself.
Characteristics of Burns
- First degree burns affect only the outer layer of the skin, causing pain, redness, and swelling.
- Second degree burns affect both the outer and underlying skin layers, causing pain, redness, swelling, and blistering. These are also called partial-thickness burns.
- Third degree burns affect deeper skin layers and are called full-thickness burns. The skin appears dry, white, or blackened. The area is painless due to the destruction of nerve endings.
Severe burns require urgent medical attention. This can help prevent scarring, disability, and disfigurement. Burns to the face, hands, feet, and genitals can be especially serious. Children under 4 and adults over 60 are at higher risk for complications and death from severe burns.
Deep burns can cause hypertrophic scarring and may require skin grafting or flap surgeries for restoration. Each category is treated differently. First-degree burns usually do not require medical intervention beyond cooling the area and providing appropriate skin care. Other categories require first aid and referral to a medical center.
What Damage Can Burns Cause?
Serious burns that cause skin loss heal slowly and often result in contracture scars. These scars not only affect the patient aesthetically but can also restrict the movement of muscles and tendons, making everyday activities challenging. In children, especially, hypertrophic scarring can impede bone growth in the affected area.
Slow healing also increases the risk of infection, as the skin takes longer to regenerate and protect the area from bacteria. Burns can cause disfigurement, especially in visible areas such as the face, and the results may be unsatisfactory despite diligent care and recovery efforts.
Additional Impact
For many people, severe burns have psychological impacts. Patients may lose self-confidence, isolate themselves, and experience social exclusion. Psychological support becomes vital. The financial burden can also be significant due to long recovery times, the need for constant caregiver support, medical and pharmaceutical treatments, and long-term physiotherapy. In many cases, patients may also require numerous surgeries over the years due to disfigurement or disability, making it challenging for them to maintain a regular job or quality of life.
How Burns Are Treated
Treatment depends on the type and severity of the burn and is divided into conservative or surgical approaches:
- Conservative Methods: silicone dressings, pressure garments, and splints. Burns and scars caused by thermal, chemical, or electrical sources can lead to abnormal connective tissue reconstruction. In facial treatments, custom silicone masks can help prevent hypertrophic scarring by applying uniform pressure and maintaining skin moisture, aiding in healing and recovery.
- Skin Grafting and Surgical Restoration: includes the use of synthetic or autologous grafts, as well as local or free flaps. These methods can effectively treat localized or extensive skin and cartilage damage, providing highly satisfactory results. The process involves removing burn surfaces and covering the area with autologous or synthetic grafts.
Whatever your needs may be, we are here to support you and help you recover. In modern plastic surgery, advanced techniques have been developed that provide highly satisfactory results for every individual case. Don’t wait any longer — book an appointment now for an assessment of your condition. This is the first and most important step toward recovery and restoring your quality of life!
