Skin Cures: Burn Prevention

Burns have typical and atypical patterns—typical patterns result from unintentional burns while atypical patterns may be a sign of physical abuse.

Typical burns (from spilling hot liquid, for example) tend to occur in exposed areas such as the arms, face, and neck.

Atypical burns may occur in unexposed areas such as the buttocks. Burns involving entire hands and feet are also not typical, neither are third-degree burns involving a very small, focused area (resembling, for example, a cigarette).

Burns are caused by exposure to thermal, electrical, 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.

Risk Factors:

• Wood stoves, exposed heating sources or electrical cords
• Unsafe storage of flammable or caustic materials
• Careless smoking
• Child abuse
• Hot water heater set above 130°F
• Heated foods and containers
• Sun overexposure

Preventive Care

The following actions have been shown to lower the incidence of burns:

• Installing smoke detectors
• Educating children about fire and burn prevention in schools
• Abstaining from smoking and heavy alcohol use
• Wearing flame-retardant clothes (particularly children)
• Planning emergency exit routes in the home, school, and workplace
• Fire drills

The following steps may help reduce the severity of a burn once it occurs: