burns are injuries that can be caused by different agents, such as heat and cold sources, chemical substances, radiation, electric currents and even animals and plants. Burns can be classified according to the causative agent and also according to the depth of the injury.
Regarding the causative agent, burns can be thermal, chemical, electrical, radiation, biological or friction. Regarding the depth of the lesion, we can classify them as first, second and third degree.
Burns are extremely serious injuries that can lead to death. In most cases, they take place in the victim's own home, in situations that could be easily avoided.
Read too: First aid — the first interventions given after a person suddenly becomes ill or has an accident
burn summary
Burns can be caused by different agents.
They can be thermal, chemical, electrical, for radiation, biological or friction.
They can be classified according to the depth of the lesion.
First-degree burns are superficial.
Second-degree burns lead to blistering.
Third degree burns affect the epidermis, dermis and deep structures.
What is a burn?
Burns are, according to the Letter for Emergency Treatment of Burns, from the Ministry of Health, “injuries arising from agents (such as thermal, chemical or electrical energy) capable of producing heat excessive that damages the fabrics bodily and leads to cell death.
The publication Burns: Diagnosis and Initial Treatment, authored by the Brazilian Society of Plastic Surgery, defines burns as “injuries to organic tissues in consequence ofthermal trauma resulting from exposure to or contact with flames, hot liquids, hot surfaces, electricity, cold, chemicals, radiation, friction or friction”.
Burns are serious injuries and can lead to death. According to the Ministry of Health, if the burn affects a child and affects 10% of his body, he is at great risk. In adults, the risk is greater if the compromised area is greater than 15%.
Although burns occur in people of any age group, in general, children are the hardest hit, these accidents being a consequence, in most cases, of children's curiosity. According to the Brazilian Society of Burns, about 77% of them happen at home and 40% are with children up to 10 years old.
Types of burns according to causes
Burns can have different causes, such as hot liquids, chemicals and even electricity. When a burn is caused by hot liquids, hot objects, fire or even excessive cold, we say that it is a thermal burn.
To the burnschemicals are those caused by chemical substances, such as caustic soda. To the burnselectric, in turn, are the result of the heat caused by the electric current during a shock.
There are still radiation burns, which can be caused by X ray or ultraviolet, rays solar, among others; It is to the biological burns, caused by animals and vegetables that produce substances that cause damage to skin. An example of a biological burn is that caused by jellyfish.
Know more: Sun Protection Factor (SPF) — what is it and what is it for?
Classification of burns
Burns can be classified using based on the depth of the lesion generated. In this way, burns can be from:
1st grade: are burns superficial. When they occur, they cause redness, local pain and swelling. They do not cause blisters, and the skin peels off in four to six days.
2nd degree: reach the deepest layers of the skin. In this type of burn, the epidermis is completely affected, but the dermis has variable involvement. In this case, one observes the blistering. In addition, the skin becomes reddened, pain and swelling are observed. In this type, re-epithelialization occurs, and healing can occur between two and four weeks. Scars may form.
3rd degree: reach all layers of the skin and can even reach the bones, tendons, ligaments and muscles. In this burn, the white or charred skin and little or no pain. This burn does not re-epithelialize, and skin grafting is necessary. Grafting may also be indicated when the second-degree lesion is deep.
See too: Epithelial tissue — cells lining our body
How to treat burns?
In case of burns, the first point is to evaluate the causative agent and the degree of involvement of the patient. The general aim of first aid in this case is to stop the burn and prevent complications. In case of accidents where clothes are on fire, for example, it is recommended to smother the fire or ask the victim to roll on the floor with his hands over his face in order to put out the fire.
The Ministry of Health advises that, in case of large burns or those caused by chemical substances or electricity, one should quickly seek specialist medical help.
In case of minor injuries, the burnt part should be placed under the water at room temperature, with a soft jet, for about 10 minutes. Cold compresses can also help alleviate the problem.
It's important too don't touch the burn, do not remove materials that may stick to the affected surface, do not pierce the bubbles and do not follow homemade tips, such as putting toothpaste or toothpaste coffee in the affected region. Ice should also not be placed on site.
How to prevent burns?
Burns, according to the Brazilian Society of Burns, affect about 1 million people per year. Some of these situations could be avoided by adopting simple protective measures. See below for some of these tips:
Keep children away from the kitchen and do not leave matches, lighters or any other power supply next to them.
Always place pot handles facing the inside of the stove.
Store chemical and flammable products out of the reach of children.
Be careful with candles or lamps next to mattresses, curtains, mosquito nets or wooden furniture.
Be careful with tablecloths that can be pulled by children and hot objects dropped.
Do not leave irons or flat irons turned on or heated in easily accessible places.
Do not handle flammable substances near heat sources.
Perform maintenance on electrical installations periodically.
Do not use the same socket to connect several electronic devices.
When making repairs to the electrical network, make sure the main switch is turned off.
Handle hazardous chemicals only with personal protective equipment.
Avoid exposing yourself to the sun between 10am and 3pm.
When exposing yourself to the sun, use sunscreen.
Do not stay in the water if you see caravels or jellyfish.
By Vanessa Sardinha dos Santos
Biology teacher