Lesion in the tissues of the body, in this case on the arm, caused by heat, chemicals, electricity, sun or radiation.
There are three types of burns: first-degree burns, which only damage the outer layer of the skin; second-degree burns, which damage the outer layer and the layer underneath; and third-degree burns, which damage or destroy the deeper layer of the skin and the tissue underneath.
They can cause swelling, blistering and/or scarring, depending on the severity of the burn.
The diagnosis is made by asking the patient a clinical question and carrying out a physical examination.
Treatment depends on the cause, depth and extent of the burn. For minor burns, the affected area should be moistened with water. For more severe burns, treatment may include cleaning the wound and replacing the skin, while making sure the patient is properly hydrated and fed.
- 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.
