Burn Classification

Excerpt

Burns can occur when the skin is exposed to heat sources, such as flames, flash burns, hot objects, grease, scald, chemicals, and electricity. Burn injuries are highly variable, as is their severity. The patient's comorbidities can influence the burn's clinical outcome. Additionally, morbidity and mortality tend to increase as the surface area of the burn increases. Therefore, it is vital to classify a burn accurately to determine the outcome and guide management. The location, temperature, and duration of exposure all factor into a burn injury's severity, and there is a synergistic effect between the temperature and duration of exposure. Considering these critical factors is necessary to determine the appropriate approach for treating a burn.