Thermal burn

Lore & Background

Thermal burns are caused by hot liquids and steam (scalds), fire, and hot objects. Scalding is usually first- or second-degree, but prolonged contact can cause third-degree burns. Nearly three-quarters of burn injuries in young children are scalds. Fire accounts for roughly 43% of burn admissions in the United States, with house fires accounting for 85% of fire deaths. Fireworks are a notable cause, especially among adolescent males on holidays like Independence Day. In children, touching candle flame is the most common cause of fire burns. Wildfires in some regions, such as the western US, also contribute to burn injuries. Hot objects like irons, pots, and exhaust pipes cause contact burns, often leaving a pattern on the skin.

Reader's Guide

Thermal burns are a significant public health issue, with over two million people in the United States requiring medical attention annually. About 75,000 are hospitalized, and 14,000 die each year. Survival rates have improved over the last half century due to advances in treatment and better burn centers. Patients with uncomplicated burns have a 99.7% survival rate, but risk factors such as age over 60, burns covering more than 40% of the body, and inhalation injury greatly reduce survival odds. Prevention efforts include teaching children fire safety, installing smoke alarms, and keeping hot objects away from children. Treatment focuses on stopping the burning process, cooling the burn, and managing pain, with severe cases requiring trauma resuscitation, fluid resuscitation, and skin grafting.

Did You Know?

• 95% of people hospitalized for thermal burns survive.
• Burns are the only mode of unintentional injury where more girls suffer than boys worldwide.