Burns
Skin
Largest organ in the body
Functions:
o Temperature Regulation
o Protection
o Sensory Function
Categorization of Burns = Severity
o Depth of Injury
o Size
o Location
o Type
o *** Treatment is related to the Severity
Who Needs Referral to a Burn Center?
American Burn Association (ABA) Criteria
Third degree burns in any age group
Partial thickness burns over 10% TBSA
Anyone with any Full-thickness burns
Involve face, hands, feet, perineum, genitalia, major joints
Electrical burns
Chemical burns
Inhalation injury
Burn injury in children in hospitals without qualified personnel or equipment
Concomitant trauma
Those with pre-existing medical conditions that could complicate situation
Those who require treatment that exceeds the capabilities of facility
Characteristics of Burns by Depth
Depth of Burns
Categorization
, Look at skin layers lost, skin appearance over burn, sensation and tx
Depth of Tissue Injur
Epidermal or Superficial (first degree)
o Erythema, blanching on pressure, pain and mild swelling, no vesicles or blisters
(although after 24 hours skin may blister and peel)
o Superficial epidermal damage with hyperemia. Tactile and pain sensation intact
o Ex) sunburn, associated with tanning beds, no wearing sunscreen
Partial-Thickness (second degree)
o Superficial
o Deep Partial-Thickness
o Fluid- filled vesicles that are red, shiny, wet (if vesicles have ruptured). Severe pain
caused by nerve injury, mild to moderate edema
o Epidermis and dermis involved to varying depth. Skin elements, from which epithelial
regeneration occurs, remain viable
Skin
Largest organ in the body
Functions:
o Temperature Regulation
o Protection
o Sensory Function
Categorization of Burns = Severity
o Depth of Injury
o Size
o Location
o Type
o *** Treatment is related to the Severity
Who Needs Referral to a Burn Center?
American Burn Association (ABA) Criteria
Third degree burns in any age group
Partial thickness burns over 10% TBSA
Anyone with any Full-thickness burns
Involve face, hands, feet, perineum, genitalia, major joints
Electrical burns
Chemical burns
Inhalation injury
Burn injury in children in hospitals without qualified personnel or equipment
Concomitant trauma
Those with pre-existing medical conditions that could complicate situation
Those who require treatment that exceeds the capabilities of facility
Characteristics of Burns by Depth
Depth of Burns
Categorization
, Look at skin layers lost, skin appearance over burn, sensation and tx
Depth of Tissue Injur
Epidermal or Superficial (first degree)
o Erythema, blanching on pressure, pain and mild swelling, no vesicles or blisters
(although after 24 hours skin may blister and peel)
o Superficial epidermal damage with hyperemia. Tactile and pain sensation intact
o Ex) sunburn, associated with tanning beds, no wearing sunscreen
Partial-Thickness (second degree)
o Superficial
o Deep Partial-Thickness
o Fluid- filled vesicles that are red, shiny, wet (if vesicles have ruptured). Severe pain
caused by nerve injury, mild to moderate edema
o Epidermis and dermis involved to varying depth. Skin elements, from which epithelial
regeneration occurs, remain viable
