Degree of burn, how to detect it?

What is the degree of burns?

Burn degree is a measure to divide the type of burns based on the severity or how deep the skin is affected.

It should be noted that the structure of the human skin is divided into several layers, namely the epidermis as the outermost layer of skin, the dermis in the middle, and the hypodermis as the innermost layer of skin.

If the wound is only on the epidermal layer of the skin, it can be said that the burn is still relatively minor. Meanwhile, the deeper the damaged skin layer, the higher the degree of burns.

The degree of burns consists of first degree, second degree and third degree. The following is an explanation of each.

1. Degree one

The first degree of burn is also known as a superficial burn. The reason is, the skin damage that occurs only on the epidermis or the outermost layer of skin. So, the severity is classified as the lightest and easy to handle.

These sores are very common and common burns, usually the result of excessive sun exposure or accidents when using a stove, iron, or hair straightener.

The characteristics of first degree burns include:

reddish skin,
inflammation or mild swelling,
persistent pain, as well
dry and peeling skin, usually this sign appears as the burn begins to heal.

Because these burns only affect the top layer of skin, these marks will usually disappear when the dead skin cells start to peel off and are replaced with new ones.

First degree wound healing time is faster, around 7-10 days and does not leave scar tissue. So, your skin can still return to its normal smoothness.

2. Second degree

Second-degree burns tend to be more serious in severity than first-degree burns. The reason is, the area of damage to skin cells has begun to penetrate the epidermis until it hits part of the dermis or skin layer in the middle.

Based on its depth, burns of this degree are divided into two types, namely superficial partial thickness and deep partial thickness.

Superficial partial thickness affects the epidermis layer and the top layer of the dermis. Meanwhile, deep partial thickness about the epidermis layer and the deeper layers of the dermis.

Signs of burns superficial partial thickness include:

red skin,
feels very sore, especially when touched,
blisters appeared a few hours later, and
the wound feels sensitive and turns pale when pressed.

While the signs of burns deep partial thickness is:

pink and white patches of skin,
sometimes accompanied by blisters, and
the intensity of the pain is lighter than superficial partial thickness.

The area affected by this degree of injury looks wet and shiny. Sometimes, this condition can also trigger the growth of scar tissue containing pus called exudate burns (fibrinous exudate).

Second degree sores usually take one to three weeks for the wound to heal. But if the wound is included deep partial thickness, the healing process can take more than three weeks.

3. Third degree burns

Source: Healthline

Compared to other degrees of burns, this type of burn is the most severe. This is because the damage that occurs to the skin is wider and damages the hypodermis or subcutaneous tissue of the skin, where fat and sweat glands are located.

Signs that you have a third degree of injury include:

raised white or dark brown areas such as burns on the skin,
rough and flaky skin, as well
there is a thickening of the skin that looks like wax and extends.

Not only does it damage the skin layer, sometimes the impact can damage the bones, muscles, and tendons underneath.

People who have third degree burns will not feel pain in the area affected by the burn itself, but in the area around it. When this happens, the cause is the nerve endings that are also damaged when the skin is burned.

Manage burns according to the degree of severity

As already mentioned, the treatment of burns must of course be adjusted according to the degree of severity.

If the wound is still at first degree, you can still treat burns of every degree at home. Although handling is quite easy, you still have to do it in the right way so that the wound doesn't leave marks or cause other problems.

Here are things you can do to treat first degree wounds.

Run cold water over the burned skin for five to ten minutes. Do not use ice water or ice packs, as this can aggravate the burn.
After the skin cools, apply aloe vera gel or petroleum jelly 2-3 times. Do not apply oil, butter, or toothpaste to the wound, as this can cause the wound to become infected.
Cover the wound with a non-stick bandage or gauze to protect the skin from rubbing against nearby objects.

For second degree wounds, treatment can be done as follows.

Reduce the heat to the wound under cold running water for 15-30 minutes. Remember not to use water or ice, as this will make the wound worse.
Pat the area dry with a clean cloth, gently patting it, keeping the blister from breaking.
Apply a thin layer of antibiotic cream such as bacitracin to prevent infection.
Cover the wound with a loose bandage or gauze.
If the pain is unbearable, you can take pain medication such as ibuprofen or paracetamol.

If you have burns, you should still go to consult a dermatologist to help heal your wound. Especially if the condition occurs in the face, hands, buttocks and groin area.

In contrast to third degree burns, never try to treat these wounds yourself.

Third-degree burns can cause a variety of dangerous complications such as heart arrhythmias (if the injury is caused by electric shock), shock, and severe infections that can lead to amputation or sepsis.

If this happens, you should immediately go to the emergency room at the nearest hospital. Usually, doctors will recommend surgery to remove scar tissue and heal burns.

Burn care also includes giving extra fluids intravenously to keep blood pressure stable and prevent shock and dehydration.