When the skin (or any other part of the body) comes in contact with excessive heat, the person suffers a burn. The injury is called a scald if the source of heat is wet. Burns are classified according to the severity of damage to body tissues (first-, second-, or third-degree). Burns are painful, with the intensity of depending on the extent of the injury. No pain is felt in third-degree burns because the nerves are destroyed. Second-degree burns that are large or occur in the face, genitals, hands or joints, and all third-degree burns require medical attention. 
Symptoms of Burns and Scalds
First-degree burns
First-degree burns are superficial, affecting only the outermost layer of the skin.
- Redness
- Pain
- Swelling, in some cases.
Second-degree burns
Second-degree burns are more serious, affecting the outer and second layers of the skin.
- Redness; mottled skin
- Swelling
- Blisters, peeling
- Severe pain
Third-degree burns
Third-degree burns are most severe, reaching below the skin, sometimes down to the bone.
- White, red, brown or black skin; charring
- Areas where body fluids ooze out
- Swelling
- No pain
Complications of Burns and Scalds
- Shock (paleness, rapid breathing, cold sweat, clammy skin, drowsiness, fast pulse rate, and loss of consciousness
- Bacterial infection
- Internal damage, in cases of electrical burns
- Death
Causes of Burns and Scalds
Certain chemicals, electricity, fire, friction, hot gases or objects, radiation and hot liquids or steam (for scalds).
What You Can Do
What You Can Do- Remove the cause of the burn
- Remove tight-fitting clothes and jewelry, in case swelling develops
- Apply an ice pack on the affected area for 20 minutes, remove it for 10 minutes, then reapply, until the pain subsides.
- You can also hold the burned part under running water or plunge it into cold water. Dry the area when the pain has subsided.
- Apply antibiotic cream on the burnt area to soothe it and prevent infection.
- Keep the burnt area clean
- Protect blisters with a soft dressing
- Do not burst a blister. Let it heal on its own to avoid infection.
- If the blister breaks on its own, press the area to get rid of the fluid, then remove the loose skin. Wash the area with mild soap and water, and apply antibiotic cream. Do this twice a day to prevent infection’.
- Consult a doctor if there are signs of infection like fever, inflammation and the presence of pus, or in cases of electrical burns, which are often more serious than they seem.
- If a chemical gets in they eye, flush it with water for about 20 minutes.
on the burnt area to soothe it and prevent infection.For large second-degree burns and third-degree burns:
Call an ambulance or go to the emergency room of the nearest hospital if:
- Burn occurs in the face, genitals, hands or joints
- Injury is severe, or the burned area is bigger than a victim’s palm.
- There are signs of shock.
- Smoke, hot gases or chemical fumes were inhaled.
- Burn was caused by chemicals, electricity or radiation.
What Else Can You Do For the Burn Victim:
- While waiting for the ambulance, have the victim lie down, keeping him warm. If the burns are on the face, help him to a sitting position instead and watch for breathing difficulties.
- If the injury is on a limb, keep it elevated.
- Give the victim half a glass of water at 15-minute intervals, but discontinue in case he vomits.
What Your Doctor Can Do For You:
- Prescribe antibiotics for bacterial infection.
- If the burns are severe, admit you into the burns unit of a hospital for special care.
