Burns
Basics
Description
- Tissue injuries caused by application of heat, chemicals, electricity, or irradiation
- Extent of injury (depth of burn) is a result of intensity and duration of exposure.
- Superficial burn (formerly 1st degree) involves superficial layers of epidermis.
- Partial-thickness burn (formerly 2nd degree) involves varying amounts of epidermis (with blister formation) and part of the dermis.
- Full-thickness burn (formerly 3rd degree) involves destruction of all skin elements (full thickness) with coagulation of subdermal plexus.
- System(s) affected: endocrine/metabolic, pulmonary, skin/exocrine
Geriatric Considerations
- Prognosis is worse for severe burns.
- Patients >60 years of age account for 11% of all burns.
Pediatric Considerations
Consider child abuse or neglect when dealing with hot water burns in children; abuse accounts for 15% of pediatric burns. Special concerns are sharply demarcated wounds, immersion injuries, and suspect stories. Involve child welfare services early.
Epidemiology
- Fourth most common trauma worldwide
- Predominant age: 20 to 30 years; 13% are infants; 11% are >60 years of age.
- Predominant gender: Males account for 70%.
Incidence
Per year in the United States
- 1.2 to 2.0 million burns; 700,000 emergency room visits; 45,000 to 50,000 hospitalizations; 3,900 deaths from burn-related complications
- In children: 250,000 burns, 15,000 hospitalizations, 1,100 deaths
- Estimated total cost of $2 billion annually for burn care
- House fires cause 75% of deaths.
- Burn deaths are decreasing nationally due to improved prevention and treatment.
- Increase in burns from the illegal production of methamphetamines. Patients can present with a combination of chemical burn, thermal burn, and explosion injury.
Etiology and Pathophysiology
- Open flame and hot liquid are the most common causes of burns (heat usually ≥45°C): flame burns are more common in adults; scald burns are more common in children.
- Caustic chemicals or acids (may show little signs or symptoms for the first few days)
- Electricity (may have significant injury with very little damage to overlying skin)
- Excess sun exposure
Risk Factors
- Water heaters set too high
- Workplace exposure to chemicals, electricity, or irradiation
- Young children and older adults with thin skin are more susceptible to injury.
- Carelessness with burning cigarettes: related to 18% of fatal fires in 2006
- Inadequate or faulty electrical wiring
- Lack of smoke detectors: Lacking or nonfunctioning smoke alarms are implicated in 63% of residential fires.
- Arson: cause of 12.4% of fires that resulted in fatalities in 2012
- Low socioeconomic status has been associated with an increased risk of unintentional injury and mortality.
General Prevention
Home safety education should be a key mechanism for injury prevention.
- Families educated on home safety were more likely to have safe hot water temperatures.
- Safety education results in more families having functioning smoke alarms and increased use of fireguards.
Commonly Associated Conditions
Smoke inhalation syndrome
- May involve thermal burn to respiratory mucosa (e.g., trachea, bronchi) as well as carbon monoxide inhalation
- Occurs within 72 hours of burn
- Should be suspected in all burns occurring in an enclosed space or exposure to explosions
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Citation
Domino, Frank J., et al., editors. "Burns." 5-Minute Clinical Consult, 33rd ed., Wolters Kluwer, 2025. Medicine Central, im.unboundmedicine.com/medicine/view/5-Minute-Clinical-Consult/116098/all/Burns.
Burns. In: Domino FJF, Baldor RAR, Golding JJ, et al, eds. 5-Minute Clinical Consult. Wolters Kluwer; 2025. https://im.unboundmedicine.com/medicine/view/5-Minute-Clinical-Consult/116098/all/Burns. Accessed November 21, 2024.
Burns. (2025). In Domino, F. J., Baldor, R. A., Golding, J., & Stephens, M. B. (Eds.), 5-Minute Clinical Consult (33rd ed.). Wolters Kluwer. https://im.unboundmedicine.com/medicine/view/5-Minute-Clinical-Consult/116098/all/Burns
Burns [Internet]. In: Domino FJF, Baldor RAR, Golding JJ, Stephens MBM, editors. 5-Minute Clinical Consult. Wolters Kluwer; 2025. [cited 2024 November 21]. Available from: https://im.unboundmedicine.com/medicine/view/5-Minute-Clinical-Consult/116098/all/Burns.
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