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Skin burns

Description

Skin burns occur when our skin comes in contact with a burning surface or substance.

Causes

Following may cause skin burns if handled inappropriately:

Heat (exposed to hot liquids, flames)

Radiation (exposed to high energy rays)

Chemical (exposed to a reactive chemical agent)

Electrical (exposed to high voltage electric current)

Risk factors

Younger patients are more susceptible to burn because of their thinner skin, less surface area and their limited understanding of danger.

Older patients are susceptible to burn because of their thinner skin and less mobility.

Diabetic patients suffer from neuropathy (desensitized nerves) that causes reduced ability to feel heat.

Symptoms

 If the topmost layer (epidermis) of the skin is affected then one may experience mild pain and that area of the skin may turn pink like from sunburn. This is known as first degree burn.

If the burn has reached the second layer that is the dermis then one may experience excruciating pain with formation of blisters and the affected skin turns pink and moist. This is known as second degree burn.

If the burn has reached the third layer that is the hypodermis then one may experience white to brown leathery skin, edema, it is usually painless because the nerves are affected, no blisters formed. This is known as third degree burn.

Diagnosis

Doctors follow the guidelines set by Wallace know as rule of 9 to evaluate the total body surface and the depth of the skin that has been affected by burn.

Management

Treatment depends upon the layers of the skin affected and the type of burn:

  • Thermal: Immediate action to be taken is to stop, drop on the ground and roll.

       2)   Chemical: Stop, remove your clothing and rinse.

If it is a superficial burn (only epidermis involved), it requires minimal management like soaking in cool water, applying aloe vera, staying away from the sun, hydrating yourself, keeping the affected area moist and applying antibiotic ointment. It heals in 4 to 5 days.

If it is a partial thickness burn (epidermis and dermis involved), soak in cool water for few minutes, cover the wound with a sterile dressing and pain killer is advised to manage pain. It heals in 14 to 36 days.

If it is a full thickness burn (involves all three layers), seek medical assistance immediately and elevate the affected burnt area higher than heart level. It involves extensive treatment like skin graft and Escharotomy (a surgical incision is made to relieve pressure caused by edema).

When to consult a doctor?

Seek medical assistance as soon as possible if your burn is more than 3 inches in diameter. Consult your doctor if your wound is not responding to the treatment suggested.

Available Medicine for Skin burns

Dermazin Cream 25gm 0.01

Rs.97

Novartis

Burnasil 1%

Rs.243.38

Bloom Pharma

Burnasil 1%

Rs.143.52

Bloom Pharma

Burnasil 1%

Rs.473.61

Bloom Pharma

Curazine 1%

Rs.211.64

Le Mendoza

Curazine 0.01

Rs.86.83

Le Mendoza

Mazine 1%

Rs.40

Global-Vision

Silsul 1%

Rs.45

Sharex

Silvederma 1%

Rs.150

Genesis

Skinsafe 1%

Rs.40

Z-jans

Vee-Burna-Fax 1%

Rs.26

Venus

Vee-Burna-Fax 1%

Rs.296

Venus

Vee-Burna-Fax 1%

Rs.74

Venus

Vee-Burna-Fax 1%

Rs.532

Venus

Quench 1%

Rs.256.85

Ferozsons

Quench 1% Cream 15GM 1%

Rs.93.05

Ferozsons

Dermazin 50g 0.01

Rs.196

Novartis