Nearly 8,000 people are hospitalized each year in France for burns. According to Public Health France, “burns are mostly accidental (93.7% of patients) and mainly caused by contact with hot liquids.“1st, 2nd or 3rd degree… The severity of a burn depends on several factors, in particular its depth, its extent or its location.
Burn: what are the causes?
A burn is a skin injury caused by a thermal (flames, hot liquids, etc.), chemical or electrical (current, etc.) agent. It can also occur during a road accident or a fire in a confined space. “We will assess the severity of the burn depending on the surface, the depth, but also the terrain on which it occurs and the diseases. associatedimmediately specifies Dr Sylvie Meaume, dermatologist. For example, a burn will not have the same repercussions on a baby, a healthy adult or an elderly person who suffers from other pathologies (diabetes, heart problems, etc.).“
What are the different types of skin burn and how can you determine its depth?
The skin is made up of three layers: the epidermis, the dermis and the hypodermis. The degree of the burn is determined based on its depth, the body surface affected or its location (face, hands, genitals, etc.).
First degree burn: what to do in case of burn?
We speak of a 1st degree burn when only the epidermis, or the upper layer of the skin, is affected. “It’s the classic superficial sunburnconfirms Dr. Meaume. The skin is red, hot and painful. In general, a first-degree burn is benign and heals within a few days, except when the lesions are extensive, especially in babies.“
In the event of a burn, specialists advise immediately cooling the affected area by running cold water over it for around ten minutes. “This prevents the burn from getting worse and has an analgesic effectadds Dr. Meaume. Then apply a moisturizer to hydrate the skin and relieve pain.“
Blister, risk of infection… How to recognize a second degree burn and what to put on it?
A second-degree burn corresponds to the destruction of the epidermis, that is to say the upper layer of the skin. It is distinguished into two types: superficial second degree burn and deep second degree burn.
Unlike first-degree burns, second-degree burns are characterized by the formation of a blister (blister) on the skin. “This blister can tear very easily and leave the dermis exposed.explains the dermatologist. It is painful and there is a risk of infection. The difficulty in this type of burn is to differentiate between superficial second degree and deep second degree. A superficial second-degree burn only destroys the epidermis and, in general, is not very serious if its surface area is limited, whereas a deep second-degree burn destroys the dermis and may require surgical intervention (skin grafting). . This often requires seeing the burnt person again two or three days after the burn in order to clarify the depth. And this, even for specialists, as the initial assessment is so complex…“
It is advisable to consult a healthcare professional for medical advice on the burn. The latter will be able to prescribe an anti-infective cream (Flammazine®) as well as “interface or tulle” type dressings which do not adhere to the wound.
Third degree burn: what does it consist of?
Fortunately, rarer than first and second degree burns, third degree burns are characterized by skin that appears brown or even black and is hard to the touch. This is a deep lesion that affects all three layers of the skin. “The epidermis and dermis are destroyed“, recalls Dr. Meaume. The nerve endings are also destroyed, which causes a loss of sensitivity and an absence of pain.
How to treat a 3rd degree burn?
A third-degree burn requires surgery. “Often, the less it hurts, the more serious it isinsists the dermatologist. Paradoxically, third degree burns are not painful because the nerve endings have been destroyed. Treatment is provided at the hospital. Depending on the severity and extent of the burn, the dead skin should be removed, the wound monitored and grafted as soon as possible, usually after two to three weeks.“
Treating a third-degree burn may require varying types of care depending on its severity. “In third degree serious cases, I am thinking in particular of severe burn victims, we will first make sure to stabilize the patient in order to safeguard his vital functions. Then, in a second step, we will prepare the skin and finally reconstruct it via grafts. Often, more or less aesthetic or even functionally bothersome scars persist which will require treatment in a specialized rehabilitation service and sometimes further surgical interventions.“
How to optimize the healing of a third degree burn?
In addition to rapid treatment in a hospital environment, third-degree burns require regular care: daily change of interface type dressings (sometimes under anesthesia or MEOPA) in sterile conditions in order to avoid the risk of infection, monitoring of healing, etc.
“It is important not to soil the dressings to limit the risk of infection.recalls the dermatologist. When you redo the dressing, you clean the wound with soap and water or antiseptics. Maintaining humidity is beneficial because it contributes to healing.“And to add:”Nutrition is also very important. Eating well speeds up the healing process and reduces the risk of infection, whether the burn is small or extensive.“
Finally, after a skin graft, it is recommended to wear compressive clothing in order to limit friction, provide pressure on the scar and avoid the formation of hypertrophic or keloid scars. In all cases, the patient is asked to protect their scar from the sun by applying sunscreen and wearing clothing covering the burned areas when possible. Finally, it is important to moisturize your skin with products (often containing silicone) recommended by a health professional.
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