Burns
A burn is defined as any destruction of skin or body tissue resulting from heat, chemicals, radiation, or electricity. The severity of a burn depends several factors:
the amount of body surface area, also called BSA, that is injured
the depth of destruction
the location of the burn
What are the causes and risks of the injury?
Following are some of the common causes of burns:
contact with a caustic chemical
contact with a hot object, such as curling irons, cigarettes, or stoves
electricity, such as electrical outlets or defective appliances
excess exposure to sunlight
inhalation of hot gas or steam, such as the discharge from an automobile radiator
open flames, such as matches, candles, and campfires
rapid ignition of a flammable material, such as lighter fluid
scalding from hot liquids, such as coffee or boiling water
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