Article Sections

Introduction

Burns are injuries to the skin or deeper soft tissues most often caused by heat exposure (ie, thermal injury).  Burn severity and treatment vary depending on the depth, size, location, and cause of the burn.  The primary goals of management include managing pain, promoting healing, and preventing infection.

Etiology

Burns may be caused by:

  • Thermal/heat (eg, flames, hot liquids):  This is the most common cause; the severity depends on temperature and contact time with the skin.
  • Chemicals (eg, hydrofluoric acid):  The burn varies with the type of agent (eg, acid, alkali) and duration of contact.
  • Electricity (eg, lightning, electrocution):  The injury is determined by the voltage, resistance, and duration of exposure.
  • Sunlight:  Sunlight typically creates a minor burn based on the amount of skin involved and the length of exposure.

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