Burn
Second-degree burn: If blisters are present, the burn is classified as second-degree.
References
A superficial (first-degree) burn involves the epidermis only. These burns can be pink-to-red, without blistering, are dry, and can be moderately painful. Superficial burns heal without scarring within 5 to 10 days. A second-degree burn, also known as a superficial partial-thickness burn, affects the superficial layer of the dermis. Blisters are common and may still be intact when first evaluated. Once the blister is unroofed, the underlying wound bed is homogeneously red or pink and will blanch with pressure. These burns are painful. Healing typically occurs within 2 to 3 weeks with minimal scarring. A deep partial-thickness burn involves the deeper reticular dermis. Similar to superficial partial-thickness burns, these burns can also present with blisters intact. Once the blisters are debrided, the underlying wound bed is mottled and will sluggishly blanch with pressure. The patient with a partial-thickness burn experiences minimal pain, which may only be present with deep pressure. These burns can heal without surgery, but it takes longer, and scarring is unavoidable.
Most burns are small and are treated at home or by local providers as outpatients. This chapter will focus on the initial resuscitation and management of severe burns. (Also see Burns, Evaluation and Management and Burns, Thermal).
Burn injuries are under-appreciated injuries that are associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Burn injuries, particularly severe burns, are accompanied by an immune and inflammatory response, metabolic changes and distributive shock that can be challenging to manage and can lead to multiple organ failure.
Burns that affect only the superficial skin layers are known as superficial or first-degree burns. They appear red without blisters and pain typically lasts around three days.
When the injury extends into some of the underlying skin layer, it is a partial-thickness or second-degree burn. Blisters are frequently present and they are often very painful. Healing can require up to eight weeks and scarring may occur.
In a full-thickness or third-degree burn, the injury extends to all layers of the skin. Often there is no pain and the burnt area is stiff.
A fourth-degree burn additionally involves injury to deeper tissues, such as muscle, tendons, or bone. The burn is often black and frequently leads to loss of the burned part.
○ Treatment ― OTC Drugs
It is very important not to break the blisters on the burned area. It's good to drain only the serum in the blister. Care must be taken to prevent the gauze or dressing from sticking to the blister and tearing or removing it.
Cover the burn with a clean bandage to protect the affected area. If the blisters have already sloughed off, topical antibiotics or silver sulfadiazine 1% cream (Silmazine) should be used. Take NSAIDs, acetaminophen, and OTC antihistamines to reduce inflammation and pain.
Topical antibiotics
#Bacitracin
#Silver sulfadiazine 1% cream
Pain reliever
#Ibuprofen
#Naproxen
#Acetaminophen
#OTC antihistamine
#Cetirizine [Zytec]
#Diphenhydramine [Benadryl]
#LevoCetirizine [Xyzal]
#Fexofenadine [Allegra]
#Loratadine [Claritin]