Burn | |
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Classification and external resources | |
![]() Electrical burn entrance wound on a person's back. | |
ICD-10 | T20.–T31. |
ICD-9 | 940–949 |
MedlinePlus | 000030 |
MeSH | D002056 |
A burn is an injury to a person's skin or flesh caused by heat, cold, electricity, chemicals, friction, or radiation.[1] Most burns are due to heat from hot liquids, solids, or fire.[2] While rates are similar for males and females the underlying causes often differ.[3] Among women in some areas, risk is related to use of open cooking fires or unsafe stoves.[3] Among men, risk is more related to the work environments.[3] Alcoholism and smoking are other risk factors.[3] Burns can also occur as a result of self harm or violence between people.[3]
Burns can be very serious injuries, and can even cause death. Depending on how deep the burn goes and amount of skin affected, a burn can be a medical emergency. For children, at least five percent of the skin needs to be affected. Adults can tolerate up to ten percent of affected skin.
Burns of a certain extent affect the body as a whole: Common reactions are circulatory shock, systemic inflammatory response syndrome and sepsis.