Burns...

Burns usually occur through direct or indirect contact with heat, electric current, radiation or chemical agents. Burns can cause cell death, which may require hospitalization and cause death.

Considerations
There are three levels of burns:

• First degree burns affect only the outer layer of the skin. They cause pain, redness and swelling.
• Second-degree burns affect both the outer layer and the underlying layer of the skin. They cause pain, redness, swelling and blisters. They are also called partial thickness burns.
• Third-degree burns affect the deep layers of the skin. They are also called full thickness burns. They cause whitish, dark or burned skin. The skin may be numb
  The burns are divided into two groups.

Minor burns:

First-degree burns on any part of the body
Second-degree burns less than 2 to 3 inches (5 to 7 centimeters) wide

Major burns that include:

Third degree burns
Second-degree burns over 2 to 3 inches (5 to 7 centimeters) wide
Second-degree burns on the hands, feet, face, groin, buttocks or over a large joint
You may have more than one type of burn at the same time.

Severe burns need immediate medical attention. This can help prevent scarring, disability and deformation.

Burns on the face, hands, feet and genitals can be particularly severe.

Children under 4 and adults over 60 are more likely to have complications and death from severe burns, because their skin tends to be thinner than in other age groups.

Some causes of burns from most to least frequent are:

Fire / flame
Scalding from steam or hot liquids
Contact with hot objects
Electric burns
Chemical burns
Burns can be the result of the following:

Industrial fires or fires in the home
Car accidents
Games with matches (matches)
Heaters, heaters or industrial equipment in poor condition
Dangerous use of firecrackers
Accidents in the kitchen, such as a child who takes a hot iron or touches the stove or oven
You can also burn your airways if you inhale smoke, steam, overheated air or toxic vapors in poorly ventilated spaces.

Burning symptoms may include:

Blisters that are intact (without breaking) or have ruptures that are losing fluid
Pain (the degree of this is not related to the severity of the burn, more serious burns may be painless)
Peeling skin
Shock or shock (it should be noted if there is paleness and cold and damp skin, weakness, bluish lips and nails and decreased mental alertness)
Inflammation
White, red or charred skin
If you have burned your airways, you may have:

Burns to the head, face, neck, eyebrows or hairs of the nose
Mouth and lips burned
Cough
Difficulty breathing
Dark mucus, with black spots
Changes in voice
Wheezing
First aid
Before administering first aid, it is important to determine what type of burn the person has. If you are not sure, treat it as a major burn. Severe burns need immediate medical attention. Call the local emergency number

MINOR BURNS:

If there are no breaks in the skin:

Let cold water run over the area of ​​the burn or submerge the area in cold water (not frozen). Keep the area in the water for at least 5 to 30 minutes. A clean, damp and cold towel also helps reduce pain.
Calm and comfort the person.
After washing or soaking the burn in water, cover it with a dry sterile dressing or a clean dressing.
Protect the burn from pressure or friction.
Over-the-counter ibuprofen or paracetamol can help relieve pain and inflammation. DO NOT give acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) to children under 12 years of age.
Once the skin cools, a moisturizing lotion containing aloe and an antibiotic can also help.
Minor burns usually heal without additional treatment. Make sure the person is up to date with the tetanus vaccine.

SEVERE BURNS:

If someone catches fire, tell him to stop, throw himself on the ground and roll. Then, follow these steps:

Wrap the person with a thick material such as a cotton or wool coat, a rug or a blanket. This helps put out the flames.
Spray water on the person.
Call the local emergency number (911 in the United States).
Make sure the person is no longer in contact with burning or burning materials.
DO NOT remove the burned clothes that are stuck to the skin.
Verify that the person is breathing. If necessary, begin to administer artificial respiration and CPR.
Cover the burn area with a dry, sterile bandage (if any) or a clean cloth. A sheet is sufficient if the area of ​​the burn is extensive. DO NOT apply ointments. Avoid bursting any blister caused by the burn.
If the fingers or toes suffered burns, separate them with dry, sterile and anti-adhesive pads.

Elevate the burned part of the body above the level of the heart.
Protect the area from pressures and friction.
If an electrical injury may have caused the burn, DO NOT touch the victim directly. Use a non-metallic object to remove the person from exposed cables before beginning to administer first aid.
It is also necessary to prevent shock. If the person does not have a neck, head, back or leg injury, follow these steps:

Lay it horizontally.
Lift your feet about 12 inches (30 centimeters).
Cover it with a blanket or coat.
Continue to monitor the person's pulse, respiratory rate and blood pressure until medical help arrives.

Things that should not be done for burns include:

DO NOT apply oil, butter, ice, medications, creams, aerosol oils, or any other household remedy to serious burns.
DO NOT breathe, blow or cough over the burn.
DO NOT touch dead or blistered skin.
DO NOT remove clothing that is attached to the skin.
DO NOT administer anything to the person orally if there is a severe burn.
DO NOT put a severe burn in cold water, as this can cause shock.
DO NOT place a pillow under the person's head if there are burns to the respiratory tract. This can close them.
When to contact a medical professional
Call the local emergency number (911 in the United States) if:

The burn is very large, about the size of the palm of the hand or larger.
The burn is severe (third degree).
You are not sure of its severity.
The burn is caused by chemicals or electricity.
The person shows signs of shock.
The person inhaled smoke.
It is suspected or known that the burn is due to physical abuse.
There are other symptoms associated with burns.
In case of minor burns, call your health care provider if you still have pain after 48 hours.

Call your provider immediately if there are signs of infection. These signs include:

Secretion or pus of burned skin
Fever
Increase in pain
Red lines coming out of the burn
Swelling of the lymph nodes
Also, call immediately if symptoms of dehydration occur with a burn:

Decreased urination
Vertigo
Dry Skin
Dizziness
Nausea (with or without vomiting)
Thirst
Children, the elderly, and anyone with a weakened immune system (for example, HIV) should be examined immediately.

The provider will perform a physical examination and prepare a medical history. Tests and procedures will be performed as necessary.

These may include:

Support for breathing and respiratory tract, including a mask for the face, a tube that enters through the mouth and down to the trachea or a respirator (ventilator) for severe burns or burns involving the face or respiratory tract.

Respiratory assistance, including a face mask, a tube through the mouth to the windpipe or an artificial respirator (ventilator) for severe burns or involving the face or respiratory tract.
Blood and urine tests if shock or other complications occur
X-ray of the thorax in case of burns of the face or respiratory tract
ECG (electrocardiogram or cardiac tracking) if shock or other complications occur
Intravenous fluids (fluids through a vein) if shock or other complications occur
Medications for pain and to prevent infections
Ointments or creams applied to burnt areas
Vaccine against tetanus, if not up to date
The result will depend on the type (degree), extent and location of the burn. It also depends on whether internal organs have been affected and if another trauma has occurred. Burns can leave permanent scars. They may also be more sensitive to temperature and light than normal skin. Sensitive areas, such as eyes, nose and ears, can be seriously injured and lose normal function.

In the case of burns of the respiratory tract, the person may have lower respiratory capacity and permanent damage to the lungs. Severe burns that compromise the joints can lead to contractures, leaving the joint with less movement and decreased function.

To help prevent burns:

Install smoke alarms in the home. Check and change the batteries regularly.
Teach children the appropriate safety measures in case of fire and the dangers of matches and fireworks.
Avoid children climbing on the stove or taking hot objects such as planks and oven doors.
Turn the handles of the pots towards the back of the stove, so that the children can not take them and that they can not be overturned accidentally.
Place fire extinguishers in key places at home, work and school.
Remove electrical cords from floors and keep them out of reach.
Know and rehearse escape routes in case of fire at home, at work and at school.
Set the water heater temperature to 120 ° F (48.8 ° C) or less.