A burn is a type of trauma to the skin and interior tissues of the body due to heat, electricity, radiation, or certain chemicals. Each year, approximately two million people in the United States suffer burn injuries, resulting in some 300,000 serious injuries and 6,000 deaths.
Each type of burn can further be described as follows:
- First-Degree Burn
- Second-Degree Burn
- Third-Degree Burn
First-degree burns affect only the epidermis, or outer layer of skin. Generally these are superficial injuries that usually cause temporary redness, swelling and pain.
Second-degree burns can cause damage to multiple layers of skin, going beyond the epidermis to the dermis itself. These burns are classified as either "superficial" or "deep." Superficial burns only affect the outer portion of the dermis, while deep burns extend to the deeper layers. Deep burns appear as dry, white patches that are painful to the touch. Second-degree burns don't usually require surgery, although scarring is frequently a result.
Third-degree burns are the most serious. Every layers of skin is affected, as well as underlying tissue and/or organs, producing a black or brown leathery appearance. Nerve endings are often destroyed, so third-degree burns usually are not painful after the fact, but they can require surgical skin grafting or transplants.
If you believe you may have a burn or electrocution case, contact us today for more information.
