Burn Prevention Measures: An Overview

Introduction

A burn is an injury to the skin and other organic tissues caused by heat, radiation, radioactivity, electricity, friction, and contact with chemicals. It is considered a public health problem worldwide. It is estimated that 1,80,000 people die every year due to burn injuries. Awareness about preventing burn injuries helps reduce these injuries.

What Is a Burn Injury?

Burns are injuries that affect individuals worldwide. They cause tissue damage from heat, electricity, chemicals, radiation, or the sun. Nearly half a million people in America seek treatment for burns every year.

Burns occur due to accidents and are categorized based on the degree (seriousness) of the injury. The severity of the burn is based on the depth of the burn and the amount of skin affected. Burns are painful and, if neglected, can lead to infection.

Types of Burns:

First-Degree Burns: These are mild forms of burns, like sunburns. The top layer of the skin (epidermis) is affected and turns red. It is painful, but blisters are not present.

Second-Degree Burns: This type of burn affects the skin's top and lower layers (dermis). The affected individual may experience pain, redness, swelling, and blistering.

Third-Degree Burns: All layers of the skin are affected, including the epidermis, dermis, and fat. Burn injuries affect the sweat glands and hair follicles. Pain is not felt at the burn site as the nerve endings are destroyed; instead, it may be felt in adjacent areas. Burned skin appears black, white, or red with a leathery appearance.

Burns occur commonly in developing and low and middle-income countries (LMICs). In such countries, 95 percent of severe burns are observed. Burns related to fire are more common. 90 percent of them occur at home.

What Are the Risk Factors of Burn?

The risk factors for burns are based on age and gender.

These include

Younger Women: Younger women aged 16 to 35 are at more risk because of using kerosine cooking appliances, open fires at floor levels, and wearing loose clothing.

Adult Males: Adult males are at risk for burns at the workplace because of faulty electrical wiring, flames, and scalds.

Children Under 15 Years: Children under 15 years of age are at increased risk of burns because of a lack of supervision at home. These burns may occur in kitchens. Almost 84 percent of pediatric burns happen in the kitchens of homes. Burns may be observed because of fireworks during home festivals.

Babies or Young Infants Aged Below a Year: These children risk burns because of sleepwear, faulty electrical wiring, and devices like mosquito coils. Apart from this, hot water baths for mothers after childbirth and treating convulsions with fire among children are added risk factors for burns.

Other risk factors include:

• Burns that are caused by chemical exposure include chemical assault, mainly on men. Females suffer intentional burns due to suicide attempts or assaults by men.

• Living in a low socioeconomic state, being unemployed, addictions to alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drug consumption are all risk factors for burn injuries.

• Civilians living in conflict areas are at higher risk for burn injuries.

What Are the Complications of Burn Injuries?

An individual’s physical, psychological, and socioeconomic state are affected.

Physical Complications Include:

An infection may develop and lead to mortality due to some strains of bacteria.

• Pulmonary complications include disruption of inhalation, direct trauma to the inhalational injury, and trauma to the upper airways.

• Heterotropic ossification- The formation of bone in the muscle and soft tissues.

• Pathological scars - Excessive fibrosis and deposition of collagen in the dermis.

• Neuropathy - Nerve damage caused due to many reasons.

Socioeconomic State and Burns:

Burn deaths and injuries are common among low socioeconomic groups.

• Survivors of burn injuries find it difficult because pre-injury poverty worsens after the recovery. Prolonged and expensive hospital stays are needed to manage pain and wound care.

• Individuals affected by burns need nutrition to counter the consequences of suppressing the immune system and rehabilitation therapy. This weakens the family's financial status.

Other complications include:

• Wound contractures and other impairments affect a person’s function and lead to disability, which further hinders their ability to lead productive lives.

• Burns cause disfigurements, which can lead to social stigma, restrict a person's participation in society, and disadvantage employment.

Psychological Complications:

People affected by psychological scars need coping skills, family and community support, and psychological health to recover from burns.

• Children may suffer from post-traumatic stress with nightmares, anxiety, depression, and loss of motivation due to stigma.

Hence, it is important to follow preventive measures to avoid burn injuries.

How to Prevent Burn Injuries?

In the last twenty years, the occurrence of burns has drastically reduced due to increased awareness about burn prevention and safety measures in the manufacturing of many consumer products.

Preventive measures include:

• Often, check for electrical plugs for any dirt or fraying.

• Appliances should be kept unplugged when not in use.

• A child should be placed safely while working with hot liquids.

• If young children are present at home, the tablecloth should be avoided because toddlers may pull it and spill hot things on the child.

• The child should be taught the importance of safety when the house catches fire. They should know what needs to be done. An exit strategy should be known and practiced with the children. Once they leave the house, they should be asked to stay outside.

• Children should be taught about how to extinguish the fire.

• Children should be kept at a safe distance from the source while cooking with hot oil or in a deep fryer.

• The water heater should be kept at 120 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. Other sources of water heaters should be used safely.

• Before bathing a child, the temperature of the water should be checked.

• Keep checking the smoke detector batteries and changing them twice a year.

• Children should be kept away from fireworks.

• Burn injuries should be treated with water at room temperature. Avoid using ice packs on burn wounds. This may further damage tissues.

• Always applying first aid burn cream is good for better healing. Other home remedies may impede the healing.

• If the burns are severe and blisters are present, the burn center should take immediate care.

• Antibiotics should not be used unless the healthcare provider prescribes them.

• Burn injuries should not be underestimated.

• It is good to wear safety gear like flame-resistant goggles, gloves, and shoes.

• Knowing about the environment is important to avoid burns. Exits and fire extinguishers must be known about their placements to escape from fire. Lights should not be used near oxygen tanks. Some items, such as nail paint remover and scented candles, should be avoided as they can catch fire easily.

• Learning to put out the fire in the kitchen is essential.

• Sunburns should be avoided by using sunscreen with SPF 30 or more.

• Manufacturer’s instructions to be followed while using new appliances.

• It is important to know which items in the house may catch fire. These include air fresheners, household cleaners, vaping devices, propane, and gas cooking appliances.

Conclusion

Most often, burns occur due to negligence or accidents. Burn injuries must be addressed properly. If not treated, a person may end up with complications that may lead to their death. Hence, it is important to know about burn injuries, their complications, and preventive measures to avoid burns. Knowing about burn injuries helps avoid most of the problems related to burns after the recovery.