Degree of Burns (or Ambustion)

Burns are classified according to their depth.

First-degree burns affect the top layer of the skin. There is pain and sensibility in the area the burn is located. Sunburns and spilling of liquids cause superficial burns on the surface of the skin. Superficially, treatments may include effective painkillers, creams that keep the skin soft, and ointments. The part of the skin where the burn is located will peel in 1-2 weeks and slightly rubescent skin will be visible. The skin will eventually return to its normal form without leaving behind any physical marks.

Second-degree burns mean that the entire upper layer of the skin is completely burned. Healing of the skin is dependent on fat glands, sweat glands, and hair roots cell increase. Second degree burns can be divided into two classifications as superficial and deep burns according to the loss amount of skin adds providing healing. External second-degree burns do not leave behind scars, while second degree burns heal but leave scars behind. It is important to try to protect the water-filled bubbles in the burnt area. It will be followed up with medical dressing. Burns that are not located on the face need to be followed up by closed medical dressing. Amongst the community, it is believed that the burnt area should be treated openly, but this knowledge is inaccurate. Incorrect maintenance may cause the second-degree burn to evolve into a third degree burn. The healing process for superficial burns vary between 7-10 days, while deep second degree burns take 2-3 weeks to heal.

In third degree burns, there aren’t any skin additions left in order to renew the skin. The healing begins with the edges of the burnt skin and a bothersome and worrying mark begins to form. In order to prevent a bad wound from healing in the burnt area, skin transplants can be practicable. While the small areas can start healing by leaving scars with dressing, the larger areas will take a longer period to heal and if it leads to infections, it can lead to vital danger. Burns in the joint and neck areas can cause restriction of movement. Skin transplants accelerate the healing process and prevent loss of function. Scars are less likely to form in the areas which skin transplants are performed. In later periods of time, skin transplant operations can be performed in order to lessen the scars.

The treatment of second and third degree burns need to be performed by a burn specialist. These types of burns needs to be followed-up by closed dressing as much as possible.