It is a lesion in the tissues of the body, in this case the ear, caused by heat, chemicals, electricity, sun or radiation.
There are three types of burn:
1) First-degree burns: only the outer layer of the skin is damaged;
2) Second-degree burns: the outer layer of skin and the layer underneath are damaged;
3) Third-degree burns: the deepest layer of the skin and the tissue underneath are damaged or destroyed.
Depending on the severity of the burn, there may be swelling, blistering and/or scarring.
The diagnosis is based on the medical history and 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 ensuring that 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.
