dc.description | Acquiring a burn is a common form of injury. A burn is an injury to the tissue of the body,
typically the skin, varying in severity from mild to life threatening. Frequently, thermal,
chemical, electrical and radiation accidents affect segments of different populations across the
world resulting in third-degree burns. Additionally, there are many non-accidental incidents such
as child abuse, spousal abuse, and personal disputes in general. In some cultures, burning is used
as a form of domestic violence, such as bride burning in India.
Burns are generally classified as; first-degree, second-degree, third-degree, and fourth-degree
burns. Firstly, first-degree burns affect only the outer layer of the skin and cause redness, pain
and swelling. Second-degree burns affect the outer and underlying layer of the skin, causing
pain, redness, swelling and blistering. They are also known as partial thickness burns. Thirddegree burns affect deep layers of the skin and are known as full thickness burns. They cause
white or blackened burned skin and the skin itself becomes numb due to nerve damage. Lastly,
fourth-degree burns extend through entire skin and into underlying fat, muscle and bone and
require immediate amputation.1 | en_US |