Burns are skin injuries brought on by fire, heat from chemical or physical combustion, or the force of an electrical shock. The majority of burns heal quickly, are fairly common, and are typically treated at home. However, some serious burns may necessitate protracted hospital stays and therapy.
All burns are divided into one of three categories, called first, second, or third-degree burns, depending on the severity of the injuries sustained and the depth and size of the affected skin. The more harmful second-degree burns can affect and penetrate some parts of the underlying skin layer, the dermis, and are more serious, take longer to heal, and can leave scar tissue. The most common burns, such as sunburns, only affect the superficial outer layer of the skin and are called first-degree burns; they are also easily treatable.
The third and most dangerous degree severely scorches every layer of the victim's skin, including the muscles, bones, nerves, and blood vessels beneath them. Permanent scarring results and death may even occur. With the patient's life almost always in danger, these situations are always emergencies, necessitating major plastic surgery and skin grafting procedures to repair damaged and lost tissue and lessen skin scarring.
Accidents involving spilt hot water, an incident involving hot oil or grease, an incident involving hot foods, or sunburns are frequently the causes of burns. The most severe burns could be caused by fire, steam, or accidents involving harmful chemicals and acids. These burns are very deceptive, and even in cases where damage and injury to the skin are minimal, internal injuries may be extensive and complicated. Electric burns are a separate category that is brought on by accidents involving accidental contact with exposed wiring and defective sockets.
