Fact Checked
A thermal burn involves damage to your skin by an external heat source. Generally, there are numerous causes of this kind of injury and can be life-threatening and cause complications.
- A superficial burn affects only the epidermis.
- A partial thickness burn affects the top layer and the underlying layer of the skin.
- A full thickness burn affects all layers of the skin and can cause complications.
What are the causes?
- Scalds from hot liquids
- Direct exposure to heat
- Electricity
- Fires
For first-degree burns, the skin is painful to the touch, red and noticeably moist. - Chemicals
- Sunburns
What are the indications?
- For first-degree burns, the skin may be painful to the touch, red, and noticeably moist.
- When it comes to second-degree burns, the skin is painful, red, hairs are either still intact or burned off completely, blisters may form, the skin is noticeably moist, or in extreme cases: you may not feel any pain because the nerve endings were destroyed by the burn.
- For third-degree burns, it will be painless due to the destruction of the nerve endings. The skin will appear as white or charred, dry, and leathery. In addition, the limbs may be not movable because most nerves are destroyed and may develop gangrene and eventually lead to amputation to prevent it from spreading.
Management of a thermal burn
- At first, cool the burn by running it under cold water for at least 5 minutes or until the pain subsides, however, if running isn’t available then opt for cold compress instead.
- Secure and cover the burn with a clean and sterile bandage or dressing, do not apply any ointments on the skin to prevent infection.
- Lastly, take over-the-counter pain medication if the pain causes too much discomfort.
Seek medical attention immediately if the following are present:
- Signs of infection arise from the burn such as the discharge of pus, increase of pain, or swelling.
- Pain doesn’t go away after a couple of hours.
- The burn blisters are large.
- Lastly, a tetanus shot is required if you haven’t taken yours in the previous five (5) years.
More Information
The details posted on this page on thermal burns is for learning purposes only. To learn to manage this type of burn, enroll in a first aid course with one of our training providers.
FACT CHECK
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermal_burn
https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1278244-overview
https://www.webmd.com/first-aid/thermal-heat-or-fire-burns-treatment#1