Burns

Definition

Burns are injuries to the skin or other tissues caused by heat, chemicals, electricity, radiation, or friction. They can range in severity from superficial (first-degree) to deep (third-degree) and require different treatment strategies.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Topical anti-infectives like silver sulfadiazine are commonly used to prevent infections in burn wounds.
2. First-degree burns affect only the outer layer of skin and typically do not require extensive pharmacologic intervention.
3. Second-degree burns damage both the outer layer and the underlying layer of skin, often requiring topical antibiotics and pain management.
4. Third-degree burns penetrate through all layers of the skin and may require more aggressive treatments including systemic antibiotics and surgical interventions.
5. Pain management for burns may include topical anesthetics as well as systemic analgesics.

Review Questions

• What are the differences in treatment strategies between first-degree, second-degree, and third-degree burns?
• Which topical anti-infective is most commonly used for preventing infection in burn wounds?
• Why might a patient with third-degree burns require systemic antibiotics?

Related terms

Silver Sulfadiazine: A topical antibiotic cream used to prevent infections in burn wounds.

Debridement: The medical removal of dead, damaged, or infected tissue to improve the healing potential of healthy tissue.

Analgesics: Medications that relieve pain without causing loss of consciousness; often used in burn management.