Burns

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Burns

Alternative Names

Second degree burn; First degree burn; Third degree burn

Symptoms

Blisters
Pain (the degree of pain is not related to the severity of the burn -- the most serious burns can be painless)
Peeling skin
Red skin
Shock (watch for pale and clammy skin, weakness, bluish lips and fingernails, and a drop in alertness)
Swelling
White or charred skin

Symptoms of an airway burn:

Charred mouth; burned lips
Burns on the head, face, or neck
Wheezing
Change in voice
Difficulty breathing; coughing
Singed nose hairs or eyebrows
Dark, carbon-stained mucus

References

Marx JA, Hockberger RS, Walls RM, eds. Rosen’s Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 5th ed. St. Louis, Mo.: London: Mosby; 2002.

Townsend, Jr., CM, ed. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 17th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier; 2004.

Roberts JR, Hedges JR, eds. Clinical Procedures in Emergency Medicine. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders; 2004.


Burns


Burn, blister - close-up


Burn, thermal - close-up


Airway burn


Skin


First degree burn


Second degree burn


Third degree burn


Minor burn - first aid - series

Review Date: 2/19/2008
Reviewed By: John E. Duldner, Jr., MD, MS, Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine, Director of Research, Department of Emergency Medicine, Akron General Medical Center and Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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