Burns are damage to the skin and tissues caused due to chemicals, heat, electricity, radiation, UV light, etc. Burns can vary in severity and lead to serious damage to your body. You must treat your burns immediately. If left untreated, they can cause infections. Thus, you need burn management to cope with the trauma and heal properly.What are the Types of Burns

Burns management varies depending on the severity and type of burns. There are three types of burns –

1st Degree Burns

This is caused only on the epidermis of the skin. It usually causes redness and pain. It can be treated at home with an ointment, or you can also apply some antiseptic cream to reduce the inflammation. Also, you can rub some ice cubes on it. Rub the ice with gentle hands so that it does not aggravate the inflammation.

2nd Degree Burns

2nd-degree burns affect both the epidermis and the dermis (the second layer of the skin). It causes swelling and splotchy skin, which might appear red and white. In severe burns, blisters might develop; some burns might leave scars after the blisters pop. In minor burns, you do not need burn management. However, if the burn is causing too much discomfort, seek medical help immediately.

3rd Degree Burns

3rd-degree burns are the most lethal ones and require immediate medical help. This type of burn might have a burnt leathery texture and appears white. It destroys the dermis, epidermis, and underlying bones, muscles, and nerves. There will be no sensation in the burnt area as the nerves are destroyed.

Burn Management at Apollo Hospitals, Karnataka

First-degree burns can easily be attended to at home with an ice pack, antiseptic, etc. You must go to the doctor for a minor dressing or treatment for second-degree burns. However, while taking care of third-degree burns, our doctors at Apollo Hospitals, Karnataka, take into consideration the four major factors –

• Pain
• Oedema
• Scar
• Reconstruction

Based on these factors, our experts decide the course of the procedure.

Before the procedure

While you are admitted into the hospital, all your accessories and clothing are removed. Then the dead tissues and skin are cleaned and removed. This is done in a special bathtub before the surgery. It is highly advisable not to remove anything from your burnt area without a doctor’s supervision. Our doctors carefully remove all the excess burnt skin to give your skin enough air, making it easy for them to treat the burn.

The doctors will examine the patient to check for any other trauma caused by the burns, like damage to the bones, nerves, or other organs (in case of extensive burns). Intubation is also given to patients who are unconscious and unable to breathe.

During the procedure

Once the excess or damaged skin is removed from the affected area, the burnt region is cooled with water (8 degrees Celsius and 23 degrees Celsius). Cooling reduces the pain and also prevents any further injury. Cooling also increases the chances of cell survival. However, excessive cooling increases the risk of hypothermia in extensive burns. Hence, to avoid any such complications, cooling is done in no more than 5 minutes.

If there is too much damage due to burn, the doctor will opt for skin grafting. This involves taking a part of your healthy skin and covering the burn wound. The doctor might opt for plastic surgery to improve the burn scars and increase the flexibility of joints.

IVs are given to patients due to severe fluid loss following major burns. Appropriate fluid management improves the survival rate of the patient. The goal of fluid management is to maintain tissue perfusion during the initial phase of burn shock.

After the procedure

After the burns are taken care of, the burns should be covered with fresh and clean sheets. The doctor might keep you in the hospital to monitor your condition (in case of third-degree burns). Also, if blisters are formed, it is advisable not to pop them. This is because an unruptured blister acts as a shield between the wound and infection-causing bacteria.

Recovery

After you are discharged, the doctors prescribe medicines and a dressing routine. The doctors might also prescribe you pain medication, as you might start feeling the pain in recovery. Recovery time may vary depending on the extent of the injury, the healing process and systematic care of the injured area.

Visit your doctor often to monitor your recovery.

Complication and Risk

Burn management involves skin grafting, and some complications are associated with it. Some of them are as follows –

• Bleeding
• Graft failure
• Scarring
• Differences in skin colour
• Haematoma (collection of blood outside the vessel)
• Vomiting due to IV.

Who is Not Eligible?

If you have first-degree burns, you do not need extreme burn management.

Treatment at Apollo Hospitals, Karnataka

Burns must be taken care of immediately, no matter how small. Our doctors at Apollo Hospitals, Karnataka, take care of your health with priority. A team of experienced doctors and caring staff ensure that your treatment and recovery are successful in the best ways. Visit us to learn more about the procedure.