Burn:
Burning is an injury to the skin and tissues of the body that is caused due to external agents like heat, fire, radiation, electricity, cold, chemicals, and friction among others. The degree of injury caused due to burns vary depending upon the damage caused. An injury that causes damage to the superficial skin (epidermis) alone is called a first-degree burn injury. These injuries appear red, dry and are painful. The second-degree burn injuries involve damage to both the epidermis and the inner layer of the skin (dermis). The site of the injury is red in color, appears blistered, and is swollen with blisters. Third-degree burns annihilate the epidermis and dermis, and enter the underlying tissue (the subcutaneous tissue). The site of this burn injury looks charred and white. Fourth-degree burn injury damages the epidermis, dermis, the subcutaneous tissues, the tendons and muscles, and the bones. All the nerves of this region are destroyed. While superficial burns can be treated with topical creams and pain medications, major burns need hospitalization in special burn centers. In case of second-degree burns, patients might have infections while patients with third-degree burns have contractures, scarring, and require skin grafting and excision. In the case of fourth-degree burns, there might be amputation, functional impairment, and even death. People with diabetes are have an increased risk of burn injuries. Due to their neuropathic symptoms and the subsequent numbness, they might not be able to notice the severity of the burns or feel the pain. These burns might happen while doing household chores and lead to infections, which can be disastrous.
