Q: What are burns?
A: Burns are death and necrosis of a tissue due to heat. Burns may occur due to dry heat, (in form of fire) wet heat (in form of scalds) or electrical burns.

Q: What are the different types of burns.
A: Burns are divided into 3 different types:-
(I) First degree or superficial burns:- It is commonly seen with a sunburn. It is usually red and blanches (becomes white) on pressure. It occurs due to damage to only the top (epidermis) layer of the skin. It heals by itself in 3-6 days and generally dose not require hospitalization.
(II) Partial thickness burns or second degree burn:- It involves the entire epidermis and some portion of the dermis. They are of 2 types:-
(a) Superficial partial thickness burn:- They are painful and associated with blisters. They heal within 3 weeks without any visible scars. There may be some pigment changes.
(b) Deep partial thickness burns :- They are dry white in color. They may cause scarring and take longer to heal. Skin grafting is usually required for healing.
(III) Full thickness burns:- They involve the entire epidermis and dermis. They are dry and leathery in appearance. They cause scarring and require immediate skin grafting and use of compression garments.

Q:- What happens in a burn?
A: Heat damages the cells of the skin releasing chemicals that stimulate nerves and cause pain. Burn heals when a new layer of skin grows in from the edges of the burn. However, if the burn is very large or very deep, bacteria may invade and cause infection. Also due to evaporation of fluids from the open wound, the patients may get dehydrated. Hence the 2 major short term complications of burns are infection and dehydration. Long-term, during healing, the wound may start shrinking or becoming smaller leading to contractures. Contracted tissue may lead to a loss of normal motion if present in the limbs and can also cause a distorted appearance due to pull on the surrounding healthy tissue. In a burn patient, sensations of hot, cold, wetness, dryness, touch and pain may change even permanently . A patient post-burn will not to be able to sweat properly due to damaged sweat glands. Hence appropriate clothing as per the season is required (cotton in summer and warm clothing in winter)
     Skin color is determined from the melanin and carotene pigments in the epidermis. Melanin protects the skin from sunburn. After a burn, the burnt skin may not be able to produce melanin, hence leading to sun burn. Also the skin may become lighter(depigmented or hypopigmented ) as compared to the normal skin or darker (hyperpigmented).

Q: How does exercise help a burn patient?
A: Exercise helps the body heal better. It helps a burn patient to regain independence.

Q: How do you treat the skin discoloration that occurs with healing?
A: UV protection is required for 12-18 months post burn and these patients should apply sunscreen lotion when going out in the sun. Camouflage cosmetics to cover the burns can be used. Hair coloring products can be used 6 weeks after healing is completed. Permanent products can be used 3 months after healing.


Last created on 8-12-2000
Last updated on 18-11-2006