Injuries that affects the deeper layers of the skin.
The most frequent causes are exposure to thermal agents, exposure to cold, chemical burns, electric current, radiation and inhalation.
We can see charred tissue, the nerve endings responsible for transmitting pain are destroyed, they do not hurt, the skin is dry (leathery appearance), scorched or with white, brown or black spots, rupture of skin with exposed fat, inflammation (oedema) and/or death of the affected tissue (necrosis).
Diagnosis is based on a detailed clinical history, complete physical examination, laboratory tests (blood and urine), electrocardiogram and radiological monitoring of the chest according to medical criteria.
Treatment should be carried out at hospital level, ensuring support measures, pain control, gastric protection, tetanus vaccination and specific measures according to the specialist's assessment.
- 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.
- Mayer Tenenhaus, MD, FACS, Hans-Oliver Rennekampff, MD. Local treatment of burns: Topical antimicrobial agents and dressings. UpToDate. Jul 11, 2016.
- Wasiak J, Cleland H, Campbell F. Dressings for superficial and partial thickness burns. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2008; :CD002106.
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- 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. 1191:1196
