2.4 Burns
Remember that cell membranes are composed of fats and proteins? It is understandable
that our bodies do not do well when coming into contact with a heat source.
There are four types of burns:
1st degree
2nd degree burns
that our bodies do not do well when coming into contact with a heat source.
There are four types of burns:
1st degree
- Top part of the epidermis is burned irritating nerve endings
- S& S (signs & symptoms): painful, red, no blisters
- Healing time: 3 to 7 days
- Treatment: cool compress and aloe vera
2nd degree burns
- Epidermis and into the dermis S & S: painful, red, blisters, pealing of damaged/dead skin days later
- Healing time: 7 to 10 days depending on how deep the burn
- Treatment: cool compress, aloe vera, do not break blisters (This can open the skin to infection)
- Entire thickness of the epidermis and dermis, which gives 3rd degree burns the title of ‘full thickness’ burns
- S & S: NO PAIN! (The nerve endings have been burned and can not carry pain messages to the brain.), whitish or grayish color; sometimes skin slippage, and oozing of fluid
- Healing time: months to one year depending on the location and percentage of body burned
- Treatment: % of body burned is determined using the ‘rule of nines”