Third and fourth degree burns are the most dangerous for human life and he alth, but the latter is diagnosed much less frequently. Let us consider in detail under what conditions and from what you can get a third-degree burn, what it is fraught with, how to provide first aid and how long the treatment will last.
Classification of burns by degree
As already mentioned, burns are usually classified according to degrees, depending on the depth of damage to the skin.
- First degree burn. After contact with the influencing factor, the skin slightly reddens and swells. The injury does not require special treatment and heals on its own after 5-7 days. No burn scar left.
- Second degree burn. Redness and swelling is accompanied by swelling of the upper layer of the skin and the formation of blisters filled with a yellow liquid. When the bladder is pierced, a bright red layer of skin is visible, touching it causes severe pain to the victim. The wound is highly likely to become infected, so the healing period is approximately two weeks.
- Third degree burn. It is characterized by the cessation of tissue vital activity (necrosis), the wound is covered with a gray or brown crust.
Fourth degree burns. The most severe and deep damage to the skin. Characteristic features are blackening or charring of the injured area, in certain cases involving bones in the process. The recovery period is long, deep scars remain at the site of exposure
If a person's neck or joints are affected by fourth-degree burns, motor activity will be noticeably impaired during the formation of scars.
Third degree burn shapes
In medicine, it is customary to separate third-degree burns.
Form 3-A
When this form of injury occurs, the patient has a complete lesion of the epidermis. The dermis is partially and shallowly affected. The main part of the basal layer stops its activity and dies. The germinal layer, which is responsible for the restoration of skin cells, is partially damaged. The remaining, deep layers, fully retain their functional abilities.
In the injured area, the patient almost does not feel touch. Increased tactile contact is accompanied by increased pain reactions of the body. An accurate diagnosis requires constant medical supervision and monitoring of the regenerative abilities of the skin.
Form 3-B
The defeat is characterized by complete necrosis of the skin in the injured area. To the specified in the degree of 3-Adamage to the skin joins the cessation of vital activity of the subcutaneous tissue.
In the clinical picture, doctors note the complete absence of pain sensations and reactions to tactile contact in the patient. The process of blood circulation and metabolism of the skin are disturbed.
The concept and clinic of thermal burn
Thermal burns occur when the skin comes into contact with high temperatures of various origins. With severe damage, tissue necrosis and severe redness occur. The surface of the affected area is dry or wet, depending on the nature of the thermal exposure. Upon contact with steam or boiling water, the patient will have wet necrosis. The skin becomes red-yellow or red-brown in color and covered with fluid-filled blisters. The nature of the damage can be compared to the process of melting skin tissue.
When in contact with hot objects, such as iron or iron, dry-type necrosis occurs. The skin at the site of exposure is covered with a dense crust, has a dark color, in severe cases it can turn black. The boundaries of the wound are clearly visible. All degrees of thermal burns heal with the subsequent formation of scars on the tissues. In exceptional cases, while maintaining even the slightest sections of the epithelial layer, skin regeneration is possible.
The concept and clinic of a chemical burn
In a person who has received a chemical burn, treatment should be carried out as directed and after examining the patient by doctors. Skin lesions of this type can be obtained withcontact with aggressive substances, such as alkalis or acids. If a person received a third-degree chemical burn, all layers of the skin in the injured area undergo necrosis. The top layer of the wound is covered with a dark, hard, immovable crust. Tactile contact is not sensitive.
The final diagnosis regarding the degree of damage is possible only after the rejection of dead areas. Most burns are diagnosed in the third degree.
For those who have received a chemical burn, the treatment and healing process of wounds is long. Approximately three weeks are needed for the complete rejection of the scab. As a result, deep scars form at the site of the lesion.
Characteristic manifestations of a burn
The main signs of third-degree burns are a change in the surface layers of the skin from a natural color to a dark red hue. In places where the epithelium has completely stopped its vital activity, the skin color becomes black, which indicates tissue necrosis. The place of contact with the influencing factor is hyperpigmented.
Depending on the nature of the burn, fluid-filled vesicles, dark brown crusts of a dense structure, erosions and ulcers may appear on the injured area.
A third-degree burn of category "A" is classified as superficial, category "B" is a deep lesion.
Third Degree Burn Clinic
In most cases, patients who received a third-degree burn, in addition to the main signs of injury, complain aboutdeterioration in well-being. With a global lesion, body temperature may rise, there is a feeling of nausea with bouts of vomiting.
A small tissue outgrowth forms on the border of the injured area of the skin, which forms approximately 2 months after the burn. This is due to the epithelialization of damaged skin and the growth of a new layer. Its edges are convex, granular.
If the burn does not exceed two centimeters in diameter, its self-healing is acceptable, but it is necessary to create conditions to prevent infection, as well as intoxication of the body. Such treatment with the use of antiseptic drugs is performed in a clinic.
When the germ layer is damaged, doctors note the formation of scars.
How to give first aid to an injured person
It is not possible to cure a third-degree burn on your own. Therapeutic procedures are represented by a set of measures that help relieve pain and restore the skin.
Due to such features of the injury, the victim should be taken to the burn center as soon as possible or call for emergency care. In about 80% of clinical cases, the patient needs surgery.
The first aid complex is based on the following algorithm:
- isolation of the victim from the influencing factor;
- with a small area of damage, the injured area, if possible, lift up;
- put a sterile cloth over the burn.
Next, it remains to call an ambulance.
It should be noted that a patient who has received a third-degree burn is strictly forbidden to give painkillers. This will only aggravate the process of taking anamnesis and add ambiguity to the clinical picture.
Treatment of third degree burns
If a patient is brought to a burn center, this guarantees that he will receive the correct medical care in a timely manner. Patients with such injuries are treated in a hospital setting. Self-treatment of third-degree burns is strictly prohibited.
Paramountly, doctors relieve pain. For this, painkillers of the narcotic group are used. The surface of the wound is regularly sprayed with an antiseptic, the rest of the drugs are administered intravenously according to the developed scheme.
A third-degree burn is treated only comprehensively, therefore, painkillers are prescribed:
- Medications that block an attack of anaphylactic shock.
- Glucocorticosteroids that suppress inflammation.
- Regular dressing changes.
- Preparations of the sedative group.
- Medicines that eliminate post-traumatic shock.
- Droppers to remove toxins.
- Droppers that make up for the lack of fluid.
If the lesion is large-scale, it requires surgical treatment in several stages of a third-degree burn. How much an injury is treated depends on the area of the lesion. After 20 days, the process of reparation of the skin will be noticeable, complete healing lasts about three months. With extensive damage to the skin by chemical means or thermal exposure, the burn scar always remains and looks like a scar.
Unacceptable care for third-degree burns
If people are near the victim, they should know a number of actions that will not help the patient and aggravate the course of treatment.
So, with burns it is forbidden:
- wash the affected area with cold water, antiseptic and other medications;
- apply frozen food or ice to affected areas;
- remove clothes from the victim;
- give any drugs.
The only correct action that others can take for the victim is to transport him to the clinic as soon as possible or call an ambulance.
