Burns are the second most frequent cause of sudden death in the world, in the first place of this sad statistics are traffic accidents. In order to determine the possible threat to health and life in case of a burn, it is best to know how this type of injury is classified. Kinds of burns primarily determine their origin.
Main types and degrees of burns
Depending on what caused the burn, the following types are distinguished:
- thermal;
- chemical;
- electric;
- ray;
- mixed (a combination of several types of burns);
- combined (combination of burns and other types of injuries).
Each of these categories, in turn, is divided into several sub-items. For example, here are the types of thermal burns:
- burn from fire;
- burn from water;
- burn from exposure to steam;
- Burn from exposure to a hot object.
Chemical burns , in turn, are divided into burns by acids, burns with alkaline solutions and heavy metal salts. Radiation burns can be applied by light or ionizing (radiation) radiation. Kinds of electric burns do not carry out in various points, these traumas are distinguished by zones of defeat. Burns occur at the exit and entrance points of the electric charge in the body. Especially dangerous are electrical injuries affecting the heart zone.
Burns of any origin throughout the world are traditionally divided into four degrees of severity.
Characteristics of different degrees of severity of burns
Burns of the first degree of severity affect the upper layer of the cornified epithelium, are accompanied by reddening and pass independently for 3-4 days.
Burns of the second degree of severity are characterized by a deeper penetration, in the absence of infection, healed within 1-2 weeks. Often accompanied by blisters and fever, feverish phenomena.
Burns of the third degree combine the above types of skin burns, can be supplemented by burns of the respiratory system. Zone of defeat
Burns of the fourth degree are characterized by death of the skin, charring of subcutaneous fat, muscles and bones.
Treatment of all types of burns is cleansing from the affected tissue and disinfection of the wound in order to avoid infection. Do not under any circumstances carry out these procedures on your own, so as not to cause additional trauma when trying to remove the dead skin parts.