Burns
Dr Janai A. M. Ondieki
For Clinical Medicine Diploma Class
yr 2
, Definitions
• Burns are caused by transfer of energy from a heat
source to the body. Heat may be transferred
through conduction or electromagnetic radiation.
• Burns are defined as a wound caused by exogenous
agent leading to coagulative necrosis of tissue
• Tissue destruction results from coagulation, protein
denaturation, or ionization of cellular contents.
, Aetiology
• Thermal Burns
– Dry Heat
• Contact Burn
• Flame Burn
– Moist Heat-Scald Burn
– Smoke and Inhalation
• Chemical Burns Acids and Alkali
• Electrical Burns -High & Low Voltage
• Cold Burns - Frost bIte
• Radiation
, Thermal Burns
– Heat changes the molecular structure of tissue causing denaturing
of proteins
– The extent of burn damage depends on
• Temperature
• Amount of heat
• Duration of contact
For example, in the case of scald burns in adults, 1 second of contact with hot
tap water at 68.9°C (156°F) may result in a burn that destroys both the
epidermis and the dermis, causing a fullthickness (third-degree) injury.
Fifteen seconds of exposure to hot water at 56.1°C (133°F) results in a similar
full-thickness injury.
Dr Janai A. M. Ondieki
For Clinical Medicine Diploma Class
yr 2
, Definitions
• Burns are caused by transfer of energy from a heat
source to the body. Heat may be transferred
through conduction or electromagnetic radiation.
• Burns are defined as a wound caused by exogenous
agent leading to coagulative necrosis of tissue
• Tissue destruction results from coagulation, protein
denaturation, or ionization of cellular contents.
, Aetiology
• Thermal Burns
– Dry Heat
• Contact Burn
• Flame Burn
– Moist Heat-Scald Burn
– Smoke and Inhalation
• Chemical Burns Acids and Alkali
• Electrical Burns -High & Low Voltage
• Cold Burns - Frost bIte
• Radiation
, Thermal Burns
– Heat changes the molecular structure of tissue causing denaturing
of proteins
– The extent of burn damage depends on
• Temperature
• Amount of heat
• Duration of contact
For example, in the case of scald burns in adults, 1 second of contact with hot
tap water at 68.9°C (156°F) may result in a burn that destroys both the
epidermis and the dermis, causing a fullthickness (third-degree) injury.
Fifteen seconds of exposure to hot water at 56.1°C (133°F) results in a similar
full-thickness injury.
