Burns and How to Care For Them By Brenda Williams At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

Burns can either be minor or very serious. Serious burns require a doctor's attention, so before you begin home treatment you need to determine how severe the burn is.

Your skin is made up of three layers. The first two layers are called the epidermis. The epidermis has a protective coating of dead skin cells called the stratum corneum. The stratum corneum is very thin, even thinner than tissue paper.

Under the epidermis is the third layer, called the dermis. Nerve receptors, blood vessels, hair follicles, sweat glands, and sebaceous glands are all in the dermis which makes up 90% of your skin.

Beneath the dermis is a layer of subcutaneous tissue that protects your inner organs. This layer also keeps your skin looking plump and smooth.

Burns are classified by degree according to how deeply the penetrate the layers of skin.

A first-degree burn is a mild burn. It involves only the upper part of the first layer. The only symptom is redness. No blisters occur.

Very little treatment is required for a first-degree burn. Use cold compresses or an anesthetic ointment to relieve the pain. Once the pain is gone, wash the area to prevent infection. If the area of the burn will constantly come in contact with clothing or other objects, apply a light dressing to protect the burned area from friction. The burn will heal on its own and will not leave a scar.

A second-degree burn will show redness but there will be blisters. As with a first-degree burn, you use cold compresses to relieve the pain but you need to be exceedingly careful not to break any of the blisters. New skin is growing underneath the blister. The longer the blister can be kept intact, the more new skin can build up. Then when the blister does break, as it will do, there will be less chance of infection.

After relieving the pain, clean the area very gently, using lukewarm water. Then protect the area by applying a bulky, padded bandage.

Unless prescribed by a physician, do not apply any type of ointment as ointments moisten and weaken the blister causing it to rupture, which you do not want.

If infection does set in, then antibiotic ointments will be necessary but these need to be prescribed by a doctor.

Second-degree burns may or may not need a doctor's care. If the burn is small and there is no infection, it will heal with home treatment. However, if a large area of skin is involved or if there is infection, then it is necessary to see a physician.

Third degree burns involve the entire thickness of skin and sometimes muscles below the skin and even bones. There are no blisters but the remaining skin tissue can be charred black or blanched white. They are usually cause by exposure to very hot liquids or flames.

Third degree burns constitute a medical emergency and the person should be taken to the hospital emergency room immediately. Do not apply any ointments but do cover the area loosely with a clean sheet or smooth, clean, cloth.

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