Burns

Skin Burn

Your skin is made up of multiple layers of tissue.  The outer, thinnest layer is the epidermis, which is what comes into contact with the outside world.  Beneath that is the epidermis, which is thicker and acts to cushion the underlying muscles and other tissues.  Burns are classified according to the amount of tissue damage they cause. 

Burns that damage only the epidermis are called first-degree burns, and these are usually not serious enough to warrant medical attention.  A common cause of first-degree burns is sun damage.  Sunburns and other mild first-degree burns can be managed by keeping the affected area clean and well moisturized.  These burns will peel as they heal but should not cause major scarring. 

Burns that go deeper into the dermis can be either second or third-degree burns.  A second-degree burn goes only partway into the dermis.  The burn may blister or weep plasma.  In deeper burns, the skin may dry out and contract, causing it to crack open.  Sunburns can sometimes cause second-degree burns as well.  These burns are also common in kitchen accidents, such as from scalding water or oil. 

Third and fourth-degree burns are the most serious.  These burns extend through the entirety of the dermis and, in the case of fourth-degree burns, into the muscle and bone beneath.  This type of burn can cause severe and permanent scarring and nerve damage.  These occur as a result of extended contact with flame, boiling liquids, and certain chemicals. 

Burns are treated according to their severity.  Keeping the wound clean and protected from infection is crucial.  Antibiotic ointment can be helpful in protecting the area and staving off infection.  Hydrocortisone creams and creams made with aloe vera can also aid the healing of minor burns.  More serious burns will require more invasive treatments. 

It's important to note that while first and second-degree burns are relatively minor, they are actually more painful than deeper injuries.  This is because deep burns will destroy the nerve endings in the affected body part, whereas shallower burns expose these nerves to the air.  This means that pain is not a reliable indicator of tissue damage.  All but the shallowest of burns can benefit from medical help to prevent infections and scarring.