BURNS

Types of burns

• Heat burns (thermal burns)
  • Caused by fire, steam, hot objects, or hot liquids
  • The most common burns to children and older adults are Scald burns from hot liquids.
• Cold temperature burns
  • caused by skin exposure to wet, windy, or cold conditions.
• Electrical burns
  • caused by contact with electrical sources or by lightning.
• Chemical burns
  • Caused by contact with household or industrial chemicals in a liquid, solid, or gas form.
  • Natural foods such as chili peppers, which contain a substance irritating to the skin, can cause a burning sensation.
• Radiation burns
  • Caused by the sun, tanning booths, sunlamps, X-rays, or radiation therapy for cancer treatment.
• Friction burns
  • Caused by contact with any hard surface such as roads (“road rash”), carpets, or gym floor surfaces. They are usually both a scrape (abrasion) and a heat burn

Immediately inform your physician:

• For any electrical burn you can see, even if it looks minor.
• You have severe pain.
• You are not sure how serious the burn is.
• You have a burn worse than a mild sunburn on your face, ears, eyes, hands, feet, genitals, or a joint.
• Pain from the burn lasts longer than 48 hours.
• You have signs of infection. These may include increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness; red streaks leading from the burn; pus; and fever.
• A child younger than 5, an older adult, or a person with a weak immune system or a chronic health problem (such as cancer, heart disease, or diabetes) is burned.
• There is a chance the burn was caused on purpose.

DIAGNOSIS

Physician may do/request:

• History & Physical Exam
  • Physician will determing the percentage of your total body surface area that is affected and if you have sustained any burns involving your eyes, face, ears, hands, groin or feet
• Other examination procedures or lab tests may be done

RECOMMENDED MEDICATIONS

Non Prescription Medication

• For fever or pain:
  • Acetaminophen, such as Tylenol
  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs):
  • Ibuprofen, such as Advil or Motrin
  • Naproxen, such as Aleve or Naprosyn
  • Aspirin (also a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug), such as Bayer or Bufferin