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Burn Severity Grades
Such an undesirable effect results in painful damage to the skin, and in some cases, to the surrounding soft tissues. The elderly and children are most susceptible to such injuries.
How can you tell the severity of a burn and when is specialized medical care absolutely necessary?
The severity of a thermal burn depends on a number of factors, including the temperature, the nature of the damaging factor (boiling water, direct flame, steam, flammable liquids), the duration of exposure, the location of the damage, and the area of the affected skin. After receiving a skin burn, healing occurs within several days, and may even take months, depending on the severity of the burn. Let's consider the different types of burns distinguished in medicine.
In general, there are 4 degrees of burns:
Degree I is characterized by superficial damage to the skin with redness, slight swelling, and pain. This is the mildest degree, in which inflammatory phenomena subside within a few days with proper first aid;
Degree II is associated with more pronounced manifestations of inflammation: intense, painful reddening of the skin, followed by peeling of the epidermis and the formation of blisters filled with clear fluid. After receiving such burns, skin recovery depends on the quality of first aid and care for the damaged area - usually a period of several weeks. Scarring is uncommon and usually occurs in the presence of complications;
III and IV degrees are accompanied by necrosis of the skin and adjacent tissues with the formation of deep lesions and blisters filled with blood, the skin at the burn site turns brown or black, a deterioration in general health and the development of pain shock are often noted. Recovery is slow, often with the formation of scar tissue.
Palm rule
The area of skin damage can be quickly calculated using the "palm rule", in which 1% of the area is taken as the surface of the victim's palm together with the fingers. It is important to remember that steam burns are more damaging to the skin than those caused by boiling water, since the steam temperature can be higher than 100℃. Thermal injuries associated with direct flame, hot metals, and flammable liquids are also more dangerous.
Superficial first- and second-degree burns, covering less than 5% of the body surface in children and less than 10% in adults, can be treated at home. However, severe third- and fourth-degree burns, as well as widespread second-degree burns, especially in pregnant women and people with chronic diseases, are best treated under the supervision of a specialist. The same applies to situations with a suspected burn of the upper respiratory tract mucosa (inhalation of hot vapors), when shortness of breath, coughing, and hoarseness occur. Seeking specialized medical care would also be a good idea in case of burns to the face and perineum.
How to properly provide first aid for burns?
How to properly provide first aid for superficial thermal skin burns at home?
1. Ensure proper cooling of the burned area.
Cooling should be applied immediately, no later than 10-15 minutes after the injury. The water temperature should be adjusted so that the victim feels relief, not increased pain—usually 15-20°C. Never apply ice directly to burned skin, as this will cause further tissue damage.
If the skin becomes red, place the burned area under cool running water for 5-10 minutes (no longer!); the water flow should be gentle. If blisters appear on the skin, immerse the affected area in a small container filled with cool water to prevent the blisters from being damaged by the flow of water. If blisters have burst, cover them with a sterile bandage and gently apply a heating pad filled with cold water.
2. Properly treat the burned area of skin and provide adequate care.
Remember that the integrity of the tissue in the burn area is compromised and there is a risk of infection, which can worsen the damage and prolong the healing period. Therefore, treatment and care should be gentle with minimal external impact, including limiting touching the affected area to prevent possible infection. IT IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED to apply sour cream, aloe leaf juice, vegetable oil, various ointments or fatty creams to the skin - this will contribute to poor healing, require direct exposure and increase the risk of infection. Burned skin should also not be treated with iodine, alcohol, or any other irritants or aggressive antiseptic solutions. For skin wound healing, it's best to use topical foam (aerosol) treatments with antibacterial and healing properties. Chlorhexidine, which kills germs and reduces inflammation, and dexpanthenol, which has a powerful regenerative effect, are ideal for this purpose. Foam is convenient because it's easy to apply to the desired area, absorbs quickly, requires no rubbing, and is painless to use, with additional cooling and analgesic effects. All these properties are combined in Skinoplast DUO LIBREDERM restorative aerosol foam. This skin repair product should be applied in an even, thin layer to the burned area 2-3 times daily until the skin is completely healed. For minor first-degree burns, this will be sufficient.
For second-degree burns, if blisters are present, do not attempt to break them yourself. Carefully treat the damaged skin with foam. For larger blisters, it is best to seek professional help; otherwise, wait until they break open on their own, leaving the blister cap in place. The resulting wound defects are treated with restorative aerosol foam in the same manner as described above. Additionally, special sterile, non-adhesive dressings that do not adhere to the wound surface can be applied and changed daily at first, and then every few days.
3. Provide additional assistance and monitor the condition of the burned skin.
Pain can be reduced by using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or paracetamol, provided that the victim has no contraindications for their use. If your condition worsens, redness, swelling, or pain in the injured area increases, or if yellow-green discharge appears from the wound, consult a specialist immediately. To reduce itching during the wound healing process, you can additionally apply a thin layer of aerosol foam as needed; its cooling and moisturizing properties will help reduce the itching sensation.
Skin restoration: is there anything to do after healing?
Pigmentation may remain in the burn area, but it will gradually disappear on its own. Dryness, peeling, and increased irritability in the previously damaged area are also common. In this case, sensitive skin requires moisturizing with specialized dermatocosmetics containing vitamin F and ceramides, as found in Cerafavit LIBREDERM lipid-restoring balm for face and body. These active ingredients are aimed at restoring the hydrolipid barrier and accelerating cellular metabolism, which improves biochemical processes and the protective functions of the skin. If cicatricial changes occur, you should consult a cosmetologist.
