Law Firm The Burn Unit Attorneys Milwaukee, Wisconsin Lawyers

Scald Burns

Scald burns are the most common type of burns, usually resulting from hot water, coffee, and cooking oils. Severity of the burn depends on the heat of the liquid and the duration at which the liquid was in contact with the burned area. Areas with thin clothing trap the liquid and usually result in a more serious burn. Action required: If an individual is burned with a hot liquid and the liquid becomes trapped within the clothing remove the clothing immediately. If the clothing cannot be removed quickly, run cool water onto the clothing to decrease the temperature of the liquid.

Immersion scald burns can become extremely harmful-- causing deep damage to the tissue. Although the liquid is usually not as hot as non-immersion scalds, because the duration can be longer, the burn is often much worse covering a larger portion of the skin. (Because of these types of burns, many states have passed legislation to set water heaters to a maximum well below 140 degrees Fahrenheit.)

Flame Burns

The next most common type of burn is burns associated with direct contact with a flame. Injuries in house fires have decreased because of smoke detectors; however, a large numbers of people are still injured in house fires and other kinds of flame burn type accidents every year.

Flash Burns

Explosions resulting from flammable liquids or gas cause an extraordinarily large amount of heat in a short period of time. Although the duration is short, the heat is very intense. These burns can be very large and also can cause significant thermal damage to the upper airway.

Contact Burns

Burns that result from direct contact with a hot object such as a metal, plastic, glass, or coals are called contact burns. Many victims of industrial accidents suffer severe contact burns and crush injuries generally associated with hot heavy objects. Contact burns also frequently occur in wilderness environments when people fall into campfires.

Treatment of Thermal Burns

Burns from heat sources-- like the burns mentioned above-- are all treated basically the same. The exact procedure depends on the severity of the burn. First, remove smoldering clothing and any jewelry around the burned area.

A doctor should see any burn that is deeper than the superficial epidermis. If you do not know how severe or deep the burn is, you should seek medical care.

If the burn has just damaged superficial surface tissue and is not severe, the victim should run the burn under cool water for over 20 minutes. The burn should then be cleaned and an antibiotic ointment should be used such as silver sulfadiazine (Silvadene). Once the burn is clean, to prevent infection a gauze should be used to cover the site of the burn. To replace the gauze, if it is sticking to the burn, simply soak it in warm water and peel it off slowly.

In addition to the above, medical care should be sought if the burn is:

Requires a tetanus vaccination.
Is larger than the size of the person's open hand
Contains blisters
Darkens or breaks the skin
Involves the face, hand, foot, genitals, or skinfolds
Is not completely clean
Causes pain that is not relieved by acetaminophen (Tylenol)
Causes pain that does not improve within one day after the burn was sustained.

Electrical Burns

High voltage electricity creates a tremendous amount of heat when it meets the resistance of body tissues. The electricity converts itself to heat and creates thermal burns. Smaller parts of the body such as fingers and feet are more affected by electricity and the consequences on these regions of the body are often very severe. Some times smaller areas of the body are completely destroyed-- although larger areas may dissipate the current enough to prevent as severe damage. Even though the burns may not appear severe, there could be large amounts of tissue damage underneath the skin.

It is very important to treat an electrical burn uniquely to other burns because it can create a certain set of injuries that must be considered during the initial evaluation. The nervous system can be damaged quite extensively from electricity. Even if direct brain contact is not met, even the current transferring across the spinal cord can cause nervous system damage.

If you encounter an electrical burn, call emergency personnel at once.

Anyone who has experienced an electrical injury must have a through neurologic examination at there initial assessment.

Chemical Burns

Chemical burns are the result of strong acids or alkalis making contact with the skin. These burns are different than thermal burns in that they cause progressive damage until the chemicals are neutralized by the reaction with the tissues or diluted with water. Many chemical burns appear as a mere discoloration of the skin and are actually deep tissue burns. Unless the observer of the burn can be absolutely sure, chemical burns should be treated as deep partial thickness or full thickness burns.

If you encounter a chemical burn emergency medical personal should be contacted immediately. The steps in stopping chemical burns are:

*Remove contaminated clothing

*Brush away any dry powders or particles

*Rinse the area with large amounts of water for at least 30 minutes. In rare cases involving certain industrial chemicals (metal sodium), water should not be used because it can actually worsen the burn.

Note: some chemicals have specific treatments that can further reduce damage to the skin by neutralizing the burning agent.

Inhalation Injury

Inhalation injury makes up 80% of fire related deaths. The most common types of inhalation injuries are carbon monoxide (CO) toxicity, injury to the upper airway, and pulmonary parenchymal damage. Any person who has full-thickness facial burns or was confined in an enclosed space while exposed is under suspicion for inhalation injury and should be treated accordingly. If inhalation injury is suspected a doctor should be seen immediately.

The following is from >Kidshealth.org:

Preventing Burns

Although you can't keep your child free from injuries all the time, taking some simple precautions can reduce the chances that your child will be burned in your own home.

In General

* Keep matches, lighters, chemicals, and lit candles out of your child's reach.

* Put child-safety covers on all electrical outlets.

* Get rid of equipment and appliances with old or frayed cords and extension cords that look damaged.

* If you need to use a humidifier or vaporizer, use a cool-mist model rather than a hot-steam one.

* Choose sleepwear that's labeled flame retardant (either polyester or treated cotton). Cotton sweatshirts or pants that aren't labeled as sleepwear generally aren't flame retardant.

* Make sure older children are especially careful when using irons or curling irons.

* Prevent house fires by making sure you have a smoke alarm on every level of your home and in each bedroom. Check these monthly and change the batteries twice a year.

* Don't smoke inside, especially when you are tired, taking medications that can make you drowsy, or in bed.

* Don't use fireworks or sparklers.

Bathroom

* Set the thermostat on your hot water heater to 120° Fahrenheit (49° Celsius) or lower, or use the "low-medium setting." A child can be scalded in 2 to 3 seconds if the temperature is only 5 degrees higher than 120° Fahrenheit (49° Celsius). If you're unable to control the water temperature (if you live in an apartment, for example), install an anti-scald device, which is relatively inexpensive and can be installed you or by a plumber.

* Always test bath water with your elbow before putting your child in it.

* Always turn the cold water on first and turn it off last when running water in the bathtub or sink.

* Turn children away from the faucet or fixtures so they are less likely to play with them and turn on the hot water.

Kitchen/Dining Room

* Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove every time you cook.

* Block access to the stove as much as possible.

* Never let a child use a walker in the kitchen (the American Academy of Pediatrics strongly discourages the use of walkers overall).

* Avoid using tablecloths or large placemats. A small child can pull on them and overturn a hot drink or plate of food.

* Keep hot drinks and foods out of reach of children.

* Never drink hot beverages or soup with a child sitting on your lap or carry hot liquids or dishes around your child. If you have to walk with hot liquid in the kitchen (like a pot of soup or cup of coffee), make sure you know where your child is, so you don't trip over him or her.

* Never hold a baby or small child while cooking.

* Never warm baby bottles in the microwave oven. The liquid may heat unevenly, resulting in pockets of breast milk or formula that can scald your baby's mouth.

* Screen fireplaces and wood-burning stoves. Radiators and electric baseboard heaters may need to be screened as well.

Outside/In the Car

* Use playground equipment with caution. If it's very hot outside, use the equipment only in the morning, when it's had a chance to cool down during the night.

* Remove your child's safety seat or stroller from the hot sun when not in use because children can get burns from hot vinyl and metal. If you must leave your car seat or stroller in the sun, cover it with a blanket or towel.

* Before leaving your parked car on a hot day, hide the seatbelts' metal latch plates in the seats to prevent the sun from hitting them directly.

DO NOT

* Do NOT apply ointment, butter, ice, medications, cream, oil spray, or any household remedy to a severe burn.

* Do NOT breathe, blow, or cough on the burn.

* Do NOT disturb blistered or dead skin.

* Do NOT remove clothing that is stuck to the skin.

* Do NOT give the person anything by mouth, if there is a severe burn.

* Do NOT immerse a severe burn in cold water. This can cause shock.

* Do NOT place a pillow under the person's head if there is an airways burn. This can close the airways.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call 911 if:

* The burn is extensive (the size of your palm or larger).

* The burn is severe (third degree).

* You aren't sure how serious it is.

* The burn is caused by chemicals or electricity.

* The person shows signs of shock.

* The person inhaled smoke.

* Physical abuse is the known or suspected cause of the burn.

Call a doctor if your pain is still present after 48 hours.

Call immediately if signs of infection develop. These signs include increased pain, redness, swelling, drainage or pus from the burn, swollen lymph nodes, red streaks spreading from the burn, or fever.

Also call immediately if there are signs of dehydration: thirst, dry skin, dizziness, lightheadedness, or decreased urination. Children, elderly, and anyone with a weakened immune system (for example, HIV) should be seen right away.