Overview
Type of Burns
Chemical Burns
Caused by coming into contact with chemicals either on the skin, through swallowing them, or by breathing them in, chemical burns can be unpredictable and should be treated professionally in most cases. Common culprits of chemical burns are bleach, metal cleaners, pool chlorinators, drain cleaners, and concrete mix. Symptoms of a chemical burn can include redness, burning, irritation, pain, numbness, blisters or blackened skin, cough or difficulty breathing, change in vision, or vomiting.
Electrical burns
When an electric current flows through the body, it can often cause serious burns both to the skin, internal organs, and muscles. Lightning, as well as manmade sources, can cause electrical burns. While small shocks may not appear to be dangerous or damaging, the depth of the injury is often difficult to assess and should be treated by a medical professional in most cases.
Thermal Burns
Caused by fire, steam, hot liquids, or hot objects, these thermal burns are the most common burns treated at iCare:
- First-degree burns
First-degree burns, the mildest, usually cause redness, swelling, and pain. These are surface burns that generally will heal within a few days to a week. - Second-degree burns
Second-degree burns sear into the first and second layers of skin and often cause red, splotchy skin, pain, swelling, and a moist appearance on the surface. Blistering and scarring can sometimes occur. - Third-degree burns
Third-degree burns affect the top 2 layers of skin as well as the fat layer underneath the skin. This is the most severe type of burn and can destroy nerves and cause numbness. These scarring burns will cause charred black, white, waxy, or leathery skin.
Seeking Medical Care
Mild Burns
A mild burn can often be treated at home, but in many instances, chemical, electrical, and fire burns should be treated immediately at iCare. If the person who has been burned is a child younger than 5, an older adult (a senior), or someone with a weak immune system, he or she should be brought to iCare right away. Seek treatment if you have been burned and experience the following symptoms:
- Second- and third-degree burns
- Burns located on the hands, feet, groin, buttocks, face, or a large area of the body
- Difficulty breathing
- Large blisters
- Infected burns with pus or pungent-smelling drainage
- Fever
- Excessive swelling and redness
- Red streaks leading from the burn
- Blisters filled with green or brown fluid
- Any burn that covers more than a 1/4 of a body part
- A burn that does not heal in 10 days
- Severe pain
Chemical Burns
If you have come into contact with a chemical and experience any of the following symptoms, you should come into iCare for emergency treatment:
- Burns around the mouth
- Faintness, weakness, or dizziness
- Trouble breathing, including severe coughing
- Low blood pressure
- Headache
- Seizure
- Irregular heartbeat
- Cardiac arrest
Electrical Burns
If you have been electrocuted, either by a manmade source or by lightning, you should come into iCare. If there are noticeable burns, you should be evaluated for internal injuries. Additionally, if you or someone you know experiences the following symptoms, visit immediately for:
- Trouble breathing or no breathing
- Weak pulse or no pulse
- Loss of consciousness
What to Expect
Depending on the specific type and severity of your burn, our team of physicians will treat you either in the urgent care or the ER. In emergency situations, stabilization will be the primary focus. If the burn is serious, fluids may be reintroduced to the body through an IV line. In the case of chemical or electrical burns, medical tests may be needed to establish the type of chemical or the extent of internal damage. Our onsite CLIA/COLA-certified laboratory is equipped with the latest technology so that your test results can be returned quickly and treatment can begin. Treatment for any type of burn will generally include a gentle cleansing and decontamination, administering of pain medication, either orally or topically, and antibiotics might be used in some cases to ward off infection.
Take Action With Burns
If you or someone you know has experienced a chemical, electrical, or thermal burn and you believe it is serious, do not hesitate to visit iCare in Frisco or South Fort Worth, TX right away. With 24/7 ERs, a compassionate nursing staff, and board-certified physicians, our team at iCare can treat you in the case of a burn emergency.
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