They also can lead to infections because they damage your skin's protective barrier. Treatment for burns depends on the cause of the burn, how deep it is, and how much of the body it covers. Antibiotic creams can prevent or treat infections. For more serious burns, treatment may be needed to clean the wound, replace the skin, and make sure the patient has enough fluids and nutrition. The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.
Learn More Related Issues Specifics. See, Play and Learn Videos and Tutorials. Second-degree burns can cause serious infections, especially if they cover large areas of the body or if a person does not receive the right treatment. Physical sources of heat, such as the sun and stoves, can cause second-degree burns.
Certain chemicals, including bleach and other cleaning products, can also cause burns. Accidental injuries are a common reason for second-degree burns.
For example, a child might place their hand on a hot burner. Any serious burn, especially on exposed areas of the skin or on large sections of the body, warrants a trip to the doctor. A person who develops a fever or feels ill after sustaining a burn may have an infection.
A doctor or other healthcare professional can diagnose the severity of a burn by looking at it. They will ask questions about what caused the burn, as well as whether the person has any other medical conditions. In some cases, a doctor will also estimate the percentage of the body the burn covers, as this can help with assessing the risk of infection and serious complications.
People who think they have sustained second-degree burns should seek medical care. Receiving the right first aid can prevent serious complications. While a person is waiting to be examined, performing the following steps may help:.
Medical treatment depends on the severity and location of the burn. A doctor may clean the burn or apply an antibiotic cream.
If the burn is very severe or covers much of the body, a person may need to stay in the hospital for monitoring. Would you like to share your story about sepsis or read about others who have had sepsis? Please visit Faces of Sepsis , where you will find hundreds of stories from survivors and tributes to those who died from sepsis. Contributions are deductible for computing income estate taxes. Sepsis Alliance tax ID Share your Story.
Get Resources. Donate Button — Arrow. Types of burns Burns are categorized according to their severity: First degree : These are the types of burns that most people experience at some time. People with third degree burns are at particular risk for dehydration, infection, and sepsis. Burns on your face Burns on your face, regardless of the severity, may also cause internal burns in your airway, which can be life threatening.
If you have burns in your airway, you may experience: Burns on your lips and mouth Coughing Difficulty breathing Changes in your voice Wheezing Treating burns Major burns must be treated as medical emergencies. Do not: Soak the burned area in water Put ice on the burned area Apply any ointments or creams to the burned area Remove any clothing or fabric that is stuck to the burned area If the burn is caused by a chemical, rinse the area with clean running or poured water to try to flush the chemical away.
Treatment for severe burns may include: Intravenous IV fluids to keep you hydrated Medications, particularly for pain Burn creams and ointments, and special burn dressings Antibiotics to treat infections Care for less serious burns First degree and smaller second degree burns are usually managed well at home. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Learn how we develop our content. To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. British Columbia Specific Information Burns can be serious injuries. Top of the page. Topic Overview The seriousness of a burn is determined by: The depth of the burn first-, second-, third-, or fourth-degree.
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