Burn

This page deals with the type of injury called burn.

For the chemical reaction of burning, see combustion.

See also CD burner for the process of "burning" compact discs

Note: Wikipedia does not provide medical advice. If you have a medical problem, you should seek expert help.

In medicine, a burn is a type of injury to the skin caused by heat, electricity, chemicals, or radiation (an example of the latter is sunburn).

Immediate first aid for burns consists of immersing the injured area in cool clean water to cool the injured tissues.

There are three degrees of burns.

First-degree burns are usually limited to redness and pain at the site
Second-degree burns additionally have blistering of the skin
Third-degree burns additionally have charring of the skin (or eschar formation).

Burns that injure the tissues underlying the skin, such as the muscles or bones, are sometimes characterized as "fourth-degree burns".

Serious burns, especially if they cover large areas of the body, can cause death.

Any hint of burn injury to the lungs, for example through smoke inhalation, is a medical emergency.

Survival of severe burn injuries is markedly improved if the patient is treated in a specialized burn center rather than a hospital.

Scalding is a specific type of burning that caused by non-solid hot material: liquid and/or steam, usually water and vapour, sometimes oil (especially for cooks). It is usually regional and usually does not cause death.