It is a lesion in the tissues of the body, in this case to the thorax, caused by heat, chemicals, electricity, the sun or radiation. There are three types of burns:
1) First-degree burns: only the outer layer of the skin is damaged;
2) Second-degree burns: the outer layer of the skin and the one below it are damaged;
3) Third-degree burns: the deepest layer of the skin and the tissues beneath it are damaged or destroyed. They can cause swelling, blisters and/or scars depending on the severity of the burn.
The diagnosis is made through the clinical history and physical examination.
The treatment depends on the cause, the depth and the extent of the body affected. In mild burns, the affected area should be moistened with water. For more severe burns, the treatment may involve cleaning the wound and replacing the skin, while ensuring a proper hydration and nutrition of the patient.
- Phillip L Rice, Jr, MD. Dennis P Orgill, MD, PhD. Classification of burns. UpToDate, Aug 11, 2016.
- Arek Wiktor, MD, David Richards, MD, FACEP. Treatment of minor thermal burns. UpToDate, Sep 17, 2015.
- Summer GJ, Puntillo KA, Miaskowski C, et al. Burn injury pain: the continuing challenge. J Pain 2007; 8:533.
- http://ameriburn.org/who-we-are/media/burn-incidence-fact-sheet/ (Accessed on June 21, 2018).
- Luis Miguel Gallego Torromé, Silvia Honorato Guerra, Domingo García Almagro. Quemaduras. Manual de protocolos y actuación en urgencias. Hospital Virgen de la Salud, Complejo Hospitalario de Toledo. Tercera edición. 2010. Páginas: 1191-1196.
- Efectos nocivos causados por la luz y las radiaciones. Farreras Rozman. Medicina Interna. Volumen II. Duodécima edición. Páginas: 2574 - 2580.
