Know the Degree of Burns and How to Treat Them

The degree of burns itself is seen based on the depth of tissue damage caused by hot temperatures. Each degree certainly has different levels of severity, risk, and symptoms. Therefore, determining the degree of burns is very important so that this condition can be treated quickly and precisely.

Burns are a condition of tissue damage caused by hot temperatures, for example due to steam, water, hot oil, electricity, radiation, harsh chemicals, or flammable gases. Skin that has been burned will usually feel painful and appear red, peeling,blister, swelling, and even look charred. The severity or degree of burns can be categorized into several levels, ranging from mild to severe.

Understanding Degrees of Burns and Their Treatment

The degree of burns can be categorized into three levels, namely degree 1, 2, and 3. The degree of burns itself will be assessed based on the severity and damage that occurs to the skin area.

The following are degrees of burns based on their severity:

1st degree burns

First degree burns are damage that only occurs in theepidermis or outer layer of skin.The characteristics of first degree burns are that the skin looks red, dry and feels painful.

First degree burns can be caused by sun exposure. These burns are not too worrisome and can heal on their own.

2nd degree burns

Second-degree burns occur in the epidermis and part of the dermis (deeper layer of skin). When experiencing second-degree burns, the skin appears swollen, red, blistered, sore, and causes severe pain.

Second-degree burns can occur when the skin comes into contact with a hot object for a short time. These burns can be treated with several non-surgical treatments, including applying antibiotic ointment as recommended by your doctor.

3rd degree burns

Tissue damage in third-degree burns affects the entire epidermis and dermis layers, or deeper. Skin that has third-degree burns will appear white, but can also look charred, numb and rough. Surgery is the main option to treat these burns.

Apart from the 3 categories above, burns can also be classified into 2 groups, namely:

• Minor burns, consisting of first-degree burns on any part of the body and second-degree burns measuring 5–7.5 cm wide.
• Major burns, consisting of third-degree burns and second-degree burns on the hands, feet, face, genitals and other parts of the body with a wound width of more than 5 – 7.5 cm.

Compared with first and second degree burns, third degree burns are more likely to cause complications, such as infection, blood loss,shock, can even cause death. Severe burns can also be at risk of causinghypothermiaAndhypovolemia.

Treatment and Care Based on the Degree of Burns

Burn treatment is certainly determined by the type or degree of burn. Here are some steps for treating burns based on their degree:

Use of drugs

1st and 2nd degree burns orWhichblistercan be treated with antibiotic ointment, burn ointment containing natural ingredients, such asAloe vera, and painkillers, such as paracetamol.

Operation

Third degree burns require hospital treatment. While in the hospital, patients with these burns alsogetinfusion therapyto replace fluids lost when the skin is burned, as well as antibiotic injections to prevent infection.

Patients with third degree burns may also requireskin grafting, surgical action,physiotherapy, rehabilitation, or even lifelong care.

To prevent the degree of burns from getting worse, make sure you do not treat burns with home remedies, such as ice, toothpaste, butter, or eggs. Also avoid applying cotton balls to burns, because small cotton fibers can stick to the wound and increase the risk of infection.

Never try home remedies for third degree burns. If you have a second or third degree burn, see a doctor immediately.doctoror the nearest hospital to get proper treatment.

Referensi :

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Boston Children's Hospital. Second-Degree Burns.
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Second-Degree Burns (Partial Thickness Burns).
Mayo Clinic (2020). Burns.
Macon, B.L. Healthline (2020). First-Degree Burn.
Kahn, A. Healthline (2019). Burns: Types, Treatments, and More.
MedicineNet (2021). Medical Definition of Hypovolemia.
WebMD (2020). Burns.