Learn how to assess the severity of burns to prevent future complications

A burn is an injury caused by heat, cold, electricity or a corrosive chemical product. These are common injuries, are the most serious type of skin injury, and if they are not treated correctly they can affect the organs and tissues below the dermis.

The seriousness of the burn depends on ‘scorching’ capacity of the source and how long it is in contact with the skin. Around 60% of burn accidents treated in hospitals happen in the home. The home is very dangerous place for burns, particularly for children and the elderly.

Properly treated burns heal better and are less likely to become infected and lead future complications. Because of this, the Spanish Wound Society (SEHER) has established some simple guidelines to follow in case of these types of trauma.

Types of burn

Burns are classified into three categories, depending on the depth of the injury. The most common are first and second-degree burns:

1st degree: these are usually caused by exposure to the sun and they only affect the epidermis (the outermost layer of the skin), making it red, inflamed and painful. It takes between seven and ten days to recover and it does not leave marks.

2nd degree: these are usually caused by hot liquids (boiling water, oil, …) or contact with hot solids (the iron, kitchen utensils…). They cause blisters containing a clear fluid they are very painful and can cause scarring.

3rd degree: as well as damaging all the layers of the skin, they affect the underlying tissues (in the subcutaneous fat) and leave deep scars. Although they may make the skin go black, paradoxically, they are not painful.

Recommendations for treating burns

Depending on how serious the injury is, you may need to go straight to a health centre. Most of these accidents are not serious if you know how to react immediately.

1. Go straight to hospital: if the burn is large (affecting an area equivalent to five times the palm of your hand). If the person has electrical burns, has inhaled smoke, has injuries to the face, hands, feet, or genitals, has ingested corrosive substances or suffers from heart disease or respiratory disease, diabetes, etc, go straight to hospital.
2. Cool the area: in case of heat burns, rinse under the cold water or shower for a few minutes. It has been shown that immediately reducing the temperature of the burned area reduces the depth of the burn and can relieve the pain. If the burn is serious, you can also go to hospital.
3. Do not use home remedies: experts recommend you avoid using home remedies such as oil, butter, toothpaste, and other substances, which may cause an infection and delay healing.
4. Do not burst blisters. If you do, you may create an open wound that will leave you vulnerable to infection. If the blisters split by themselves, wash the wound with soap and clean water, and gently apply an antibiotic cream to the affected area.

It is important to have a basic understanding that will allow you to assess a burn, so that you will know how to react, depending on the significance of the injury.

If you are not sure about the severity of a burn, it is always better to err on the side of caution and take the victim to the nearest emergency room.

This post is also available in: Spanish