Burns can happen when the skin is exposed to heat, electricity, corrosive chemicals, or radiation

Burns are classified as follows, according to the severity of tissue damage:

• First-degree burns -- affect only the outer layer of the skin (epidermis), causing pain and redness
• Second-degree burns -- extend to the second layer of the skin (the dermis), causing pain, redness, and blisters that may ooze
• Third-degree burns -- involve both layers of the skin and may also damage the underlying bones, muscles, and tendons. The burn site appears pale, charred, or leathery. There is generally no pain in the area because the nerve endings are destroyed.

the Symptoms and signs of Burns

• Blisters
• Pain (The degree of pain is not related to the severity of the burn as the most serious burns can be painless.)
• Peeling skin
• Red skin
• Shock (Symptoms of shock include pale and clammy skin, weakness, bluish lips and fingernails, and a drop in alertness.)
• Swelling
• White or charred skin

Your doctor will evaluate the extent of the burn to assess the risk for such complications as infection, dehydration, and disfigurement.

• Potential signs of infection include:

• Change in color of the burnt area or surrounding skin
• Purplish discoloration, particularly if swelling is also present
• Change in thickness of the burn (the burn suddenly extends deep into the skin)
• Greenish discharge or pus
• Fever

• Potential signs of dehydration include
• Thirst
• Lightheadedness or dizziness, particularly when moving from sitting or lying position to standing
• Weakness
• Dry skin
• Urinating less often than usual
• Burn Patterns
• Typical patterns :  accidental burns
• atypical patterns : physical abuse

Causes of Burn

Burns are caused by exposure to thermal (heat), electrical, radiation, or chemical sources. Thermal burns occur when hot metals, scalding liquids, steam, or flames come in contact with the skin. Exposure to electrical current causes electrical burns, and contact with caustic chemicals causes chemical burns. Prolonged exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays or to other sources of radiation (such as from tanning booths) can also cause burns.

The most serious burns are usually caused by scalding hot or flammable liquids, and fires. Exposure to chemicals and electrical currents also cause severe injury and damage to the skin.

Burn Diagnosis:

When diagnosing a burn, a doctor evaluates the depth and extent of the damage, the degree of pain, the amount of swelling, and signs of infection. Doctors classify the burn based on the depth and extent of the injury. Burns that cover a significant portion of the body, burns associated with smoke inhalation, burns from electrical injuries, and burns associated with suspected physical abuse require immediate emergency medical attention. In the emergency room, all wounds are wrapped with sterile cloths. Patients may receive oxygen (either through a mask or tube) and fluids. Patients are also evaluated for associated injuries (such as from physical abuse). Doctors may also conduct tests to determine whether the wound is infected.

Treatment of Burns

Burn treatment depends on the type of burn. First-degree burns may be treated with skin care products like aloe vera cream or an antibiotic ointment and pain medication such as acetaminophen (Tylenol).

Second-degree burns may be treated with an antibiotic cream or other creams or ointments prescribed by a doctor.

The treatment of third-degree burns may require the process of skin grafting or the use of synthetic skin. Severe burns covering large parts of the body may need more intensive treatments such as I.V. antibiotics to prevent infection or I.V. fluids to replace fluids lost when skin was burned.

People who are burned seriously will be admitted to a hospital. There, doctors will concentrate on keeping the burned area clean and removing any dead tissue through a process called debridement. Medications will be used to reduce pain and prevent infection. A tetanus shot will be given if the person has not had one in 5 or more years.

Burns often cause pain and anxiety, even during recovery. A person may also experience emotional distress if a burn changes his or her appearance. Complementary therapies that may help alleviate such pain and anxiety include:

Good nutrition is important as people recover, because vitamins and minerals have been shown to promote wound healing and prevent the spread of infection.

Medications

• Antimicrobial ointments (such as silver sulfadiazine, mafenide, silver nitrate, and povidone-iodine) are used to reduce risk of infection. Bacitracin may be used for first-degree burns.
• Antibiotics (such as oxacillin, mezlocillin, and gentamicin) are used to treat infection. Antibiotics will also probably be used if the risk of developing infection is high (for example, when the body surface area of the burn is large).
• Prescription pain medications (such as acetaminophen with codeine, morphine, or meperidine) are used for severe burns.

Surgery and Other Procedures

In the case of severe burns, debridement and skin grafting may be performed. Debridement is the removal of dead tissue. In skin grafting, a piece of skin is surgically sewn over the burn, after any dead tissue is removed. The skin can be from another part of the person's body, from a donor, or from an animal (usually a pig). Skin grafts from the person's own body are permanent. Artificial skin may also be used. Cosmetic surgery may be done to improve both the function and appearance of the burned area.

Nutrition and Dietary Supplements

Minor burns can be treated with natural products. Severe burns, however, always require immediate medical attention. It is especially important for people who have been seriously burned to get enough nutrients in their daily diet. Burn patients in hospitals are often given high-calorie, high-protein diets to speed recovery.

Do not try to treat a second- or third-degree burn by yourself. Always seek medical advice. Ask your doctor which supplements are best for you. Always tell your health care provider about the herbs and supplements you are using or considering using, as some supplements may interfere with conventional treatments.

Following these tips may improve your healing and general health.

• Eat antioxidant foods, including fruits (such as blueberries, cherries, and tomatoes), and vegetables (such as squash and bell peppers).
• Avoid refined foods, such as white breads, pastas, and sugar.
• Eat fewer red meats and more lean meats, cold-water fish, tofu (soy) or beans for protein.
• Use healthy cooking oils, such as olive oil or vegetable oil.
• Reduce or eliminate trans-fatty acids, found in commercially baked goods such as cookies, crackers, cakes, French fries, onion rings, donuts, processed foods, and margarine.
• Avoid caffeine and other stimulants, alcohol, and tobacco.
• Drink 6 - 8 glasses of filtered water daily.

The following supplements may also help. Be sure to ask your doctor before taking them if your burns are moderate or severe:

• A daily multivitamin, containing the antioxidant vitamins A, C, E, the B-complex vitamins and trace minerals such as magnesium, calcium, zinc, and selenium.
• Omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish oil, 1 - 2 capsules or 1 tablespoonful oil, one to two times daily, to help decrease inflammation, and for healing and immunity. Cold-water fish, such as salmon or halibut, are good sources, but you may need a supplement to get a higher dose.
• Vitamin C (1,000 mg two to six times per day) helps skin heal by enhancing new tissue growth and strength. Lower dose if diarrhea develops.
• Vitamin E (400 - 800 IU a day) promotes healing. May be used topically once the burn has healed and new skin has formed. Higher doses may help in healing burns. Talk to your doctor before taking vitamin E if you are scheduled to have surgery.
• Coenzyme Q10, 100 - 200 mg at bedtime, for antioxidant and immune activity.
• L-glutamine, 500 - 1,000 mg three times daily, for support of gastrointestinal health and immunity.
• Probiotic supplement (containing Lactobacillus acidophilus), 5 - 10 billion CFUs (colony forming units) a day. Taking antibiotics can upset the balance of bacteria in your intestines. Probiotics or "friendly" bacteria can help restore the balance, improving gastrointestinal and immune health. You should refrigerate your probiotic supplements for best results.

Herbs

Minor burns may be treated with herbs, but you should never take or apply any herb when you have moderate o severe burns. Call for emergency help first.

Herbs are generally a safe way to strengthen and tone the body's systems. As with any therapy, you should work with your health care provider to get your problem diagnosed before starting any treatment. You may use herbs as dried extracts (capsules, powders, teas), glycerites (glycerine extracts), or tinctures (alcohol extracts). Unless otherwise indicated, you should make teas with 1 tsp. herb per cup of hot water. Steep covered 5 - 10 minutes for leaf or flowers, and 10 - 20 minutes for roots. Drink 2 - 4 cups per day. You may use tinctures alone or in combination as noted.

• Turmeric (Curcuma longa) standardized extract, 300 mg three times a day, for pain and inflammation.

These herbs may be applied topically (externally) to minor burns:

• Aloe (Aloe vera), as a cream or gel. Apply externally to the burned area, 3 - 4 times daily as needed, for soothing and healing.
• Calendula (Calendula officinalis), or pot marigold, as an ointment or a tea applied topically. To make tea from tincture, use 1/2 to 1 tsp. diluted in 1/4 cup water. You can also steep 1 tsp. of flowers in one cup of boiling water for 15 minutes, then strain and cool. Test skin first for any allergic reaction.
• Gotu kola (Centella asiatica) as a cream containing 1% of the herb, may help repair skin tissue.
• Propolis, a resin created by bees to build their hives, has been used historically to treat skin wounds. One study found that people given propolis to apply to minor burns healed as well as those treated with silver sulfadiazine, a prescription ointment. More research is needed, however. If you use propolis for a minor burn, test skin first for any reaction.

Acupuncture

Electrical Stimulation

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) uses controlled, low-voltage electrical stimulation of the skin to relieve pain. Recent studies have suggested that TENS applied to acupuncture points (called electroacupuncture) on the ear (auricular acupuncture) may relieve pain for people with burns.

Massage and Physical Therapy

Massage Therapy

People with burns suffer pain, itching, and anxiety both from the burn itself and during the healing of wounds. Some studies suggest that massage may help ease these symptoms in both the emergency-care and recovery phases. People receiving a massage reported significantly less itching, pain, anxiety, and depressed mood compared to those who received standard care only. Ask your doctor before using massage after a burn.

Physical Therapy

Occupational and physical therapy begin very early for people who are hospitalized for burns. Occupational and physical therapists use a number of techniques to improve movement and function of the areas affected by a burn, and to reduce scar formation. Physical therapy may include the practices listed below:

• Body and limb positioning
• Splinting
• Help with activities of daily living until normal function and ability are recovered
• Passive (physical therapist moves the person's limbs) and active exercises
• Help with walking

Homeopathy

Although very few studies have examined the effectiveness of specific homeopathic therapies in the treatment of burns, professional homeopaths may consider the following measures to treat first and second-degree burns and to aid recovery from any burn. Before prescribing a remedy, homeopaths take into account a person¡¯s constitutional type -- your physical, emotional, and intellectual makeup. An experienced homeopath assesses all of these factors when determining the most appropriate treatment for each individual.

• Place the burned area in cold water until the pain goes away (this generally takes at least a few minutes).
• Arnica Montana -- taken orally immediately after the burn.
• Calendula -- apply to the skin for first-degree burns and sunburns. This remedy is sometimes considered the treatment of choice for children. Calendula may also be used in the healing stages of second- and third-degree burns to stimulate regrowth of skin and to decrease scar formation.
• Hypericum perforatum -- used on the skin if there are sharp, shooting pains with the burn.
• Urtica urens -- taken orally for stinging pains, itching, and swelling of first-degree burns. A cream or gel may also be applied to the skin for first-degree burns and sunburns. This remedy may be used for children.
• Causticum -- taken orally for burning pains with great rawness (as from an open wound) or when there are long-term physical or emotional symptoms after a burn.
• Phosphorus -- taken by mouth for electrical burns, especially if the individual is easily startled and excitable.