Patient education during primary care visits may be an effective prevention strategy.īurn patients who meet American Burn Association referral criteria should be promptly transferred to a burn center. Burn injuries are more likely to occur in children and older people. Pruritus, hypertrophic scarring, and permanent hyperpigmentation are long-term complications of partial-thickness burns. ![]() People with diabetes mellitus are at increased risk of complications and infection, and early referral to a burn center should be considered. ![]() Prophylactic antibiotics are not indicated for outpatient management and may increase bacterial resistance. Full-thickness (third-degree) burns involve the entire dermal layer, and patients with these burns should automatically be referred to a burn center. Deep partial-thickness burns require immediate referral to a burn surgeon for possible early tangential excision. Superficial partial-thickness burns extend into the dermis, may take up to three weeks to heal, and require advanced dressings to protect the wound and promote a moist environment. Partial-thickness (second-degree) burns are subdivided into two categories: superficial and deep. Superficial (first-degree) burns involve only the epidermal layer and require simple first-aid techniques with over-the-counter pain relievers. Initial treatment is directed at stopping the burn process. All burn injuries are considered trauma, prompting immediate evaluation for concomitant injuries. ![]() Two key determinants of the need for referral to a burn center are burn depth and percentage of total body surface area involved. Most patients with burn injuries are treated as outpatients.
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