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skin health

First Degree Burns

Generality

First-degree burns are lesions affecting the most superficial layer of the skin .

These can be caused by exposure to heat, radiation, chemicals and electricity .

First-degree burns manifest themselves with evident redness in the area involved. Depending on the extent of the injury, this sign may be associated with swelling, pain and / or severe burning .

First-degree burns do not usually require special medical treatment and cure within 5-7 days, without leaving scars.

To avoid aggravation of the injury, it is important to cool the burned area with fresh water packs immediately after the accident. If the pain is very intense, the doctor may indicate the topical use of analgesic creams or the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

What are

First-degree burns (also called superficial burns or burns ) are traumatic lesions affecting the outermost part of the skin (epidermis). These determine the appearance on the skin of a simple redness ( erythema ), accompanied by a burning but bearable pain .

First-degree burns heal spontaneously, in a short time, without leaving marks on the skin.

To remember! The burns are the mildest burns, as the lesion is limited to the most superficial layer of the skin.

Causes

First-degree burns on the hands, wrists and face are one of the most frequent accidents that occur in the home or at work.

Did you know that…

Burns can be classified according to the causative agent that determines them (physical, chemical or radiation). The damaging action that results from exposure or direct contact with these is, in fact, associated with specific anatomo-histological features of the wound on the skin.

First-degree burns can be caused by:

  • Heat : ex. direct contact with steam, open flames, hot bodies or hot liquids, such as oil and water;
  • Chemicals : ex. bleach, muriatic acid, ammonia, etc .;
  • Excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation : sun, tanning lamps, etc .;
  • Electricity : electrocution from electrical outlets, electric cables and appliances.

Gravity of a burn

The severity of a burn depends on two main factors:

  • Degree of depth with the level of involvement of the skin and possibly of the underlying layers (surface thickness, intermediate thickness or full thickness);
  • Percentage of total body surface area affected .

Although superficial, a first degree burn can be dangerous:

  • When it is very extensive;
  • If it affects certain parts of the body, such as joints or delicate parts of the face.

Similarly, the risk of incurring a worse prognosis exists if the burned surface is not very extensive, but the involvement of the tissues is very deep (as happens with third-degree burns).

Warning! First-degree burns involving the eyes, mouth, nose, ears, abdomen, joints and genitals always require medical evaluation .

Other factors that affect the severity of the damage are:

  • Type of burner and specific heat : for example, liquid burns are more extensive, while solid burns tend to be localized, but deeper.
  • Exposure time : lesions of equal intensity (first degree) are caused by contact with the hot body for 2 minutes at 51 ° C or for one second at 60 ° C.

Symptoms and Complications

First-degree burns involve the surface layer of the epidermis . Usually, the symptoms are mild and tend to resolve within a few days .

The most common and immediate manifestations are:

  • Redness of the skin (erythema);
  • Swelling (edema);
  • Burning;
  • Contact pain.

Depending on the severity, the area affected by the first degree burn may also appear:

  • Acute local pain;
  • Skin thickening;
  • Area overheating.

These symptoms can last up to three days from the triggering event. First degree burns do not cause blisters or blisters.

After 7-10 days, the skin begins to flake superficially; this phenomenon leaves no mark on the skin.

Burns from caustics and electrocution

First-degree burns caused by electric current can affect an area, below the surface layer of the skin, that is wider than you can see. For this reason, immediately after the accident, it is advisable to go to the emergency room. Similarly, all caustic lesions are considered "important" and should always be subjected to medical evaluation, regardless of the extent.

Healing times

The healing times are very variable and depend on the health of the subject and the extent of first-degree burn. In general, a first-degree burn heals completely in 5-7 days.

Possible consequences

Generally, first-degree burns leave no mark or scar.

The complications associated with these diseases are very rare. However, it is good to report some situations that could occur after the accident:

  • In addition to tissue injury, there is the possibility that infections may arise due to the loss of the skin barrier; this last occurrence can occur, for example, due to the incorrect care dedicated to the burned part, during the healing process.
  • The repeated exposure of the injured area to burned agents, without adequate protection, can increase the risk of skin cancer development. These lesions also contribute to premature skin aging .
  • A first degree burn that affects larger areas of the skin can cause more pain and swelling. In fact, larger wounds do not heal as quickly as smaller burns. For this reason, in the event of extensive first-degree burns, it is advisable to seek medical attention.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of first-degree burns involves anamnesis and physical examination of the affected area.

During the visit, the general practitioner or dermatologist will assess, in particular, the following aspects of the wound:

  • Extension of the burn, in terms of depth in the layers of the skin;
  • Possible involvement of particularly sensitive parts of the body that require immediate treatment (such as eye, nose and mouth);
  • Signs of infection (pus leakage or severe swelling).

Usually, no further diagnostic analysis is needed.

Warning! Never underestimate a burn: if the lesion is slow to heal and if very young and old children are affected, especially if they have chronic diseases (eg diabetes), always consult a doctor . The same foresight applies when one thinks that an infection is developing or the sunburn causes a lot of pain.

Even for first-degree burns to the face, groin or feet it is essential to seek medical attention; these wounds could heal more slowly than sunburns located in other parts of the body and need more care.

When to consult a doctor

  • If first degree burns involve delicate parts of the body, such as the face or abdomen;
  • When high fever appears, above 39 ° C;
  • In case of delay in healing, despite the care given to the wound;
  • When the infection of the burned part is suspected;
  • When the patient is elderly, carrying chronic diseases or under 3 years of age.

Therapy

First-degree burns are very minor skin lesions. Usually, medical treatment is not necessary, except in cases where these are quite extensive or painful.

Most of the time, repeated application of cold water packs is sufficient to reduce symptoms. If this is not enough, the application of an anesthetic cream (based, for example, of benzocaine) may be useful. When the pain is very intense, the doctor may recommend the use of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) with analgesic activity, such as ibuprofen, diclofenac or paracetamol.

Home treatment

The skin has the property of conserving heat, therefore the first intervention must aim to lower the temperature of the affected area .

At home, first-degree burns should be treated by applying a fresh water pack to the area, to relieve pain and swelling. This should be left in place for 5-15 minutes before removing it. Alternatively, you can immerse the affected part or hold it under running water (at about 15 ° C). The operation soothes the pain and must be repeated for at least fifteen minutes.

Instead, the application of ice directly on the injured area should be avoided, as it could aggravate the burn.

Attention ! In case of contact with chemical substances (eg quicklime), absolutely avoid contact with water, as this could cause greater damage.

For painful first-degree burns, the doctor may indicate the use of an analgesic cream (bearing in mind the risk of possible contact sensitization) or the oral intake of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Long-term management

Depending on the extension and the affected area, a first degree burn may take 3 to 20 days to resolve spontaneously (usually about a week is required). During the healing process, damaged skin can undergo peeling.

If the burn shows signs of infection or deterioration, it is advisable to seek medical attention.

Errors to avoid and advice

Most first-degree burns are prevented by observing appropriate precautions.

In particular, care must be taken in the kitchen, especially when there are small children in the house who can burn themselves with steam, pots of boiling water, hot oil, etc. To avoid further traumatizing the damaged area, it is advisable to remove any clothing or accessories such as rings, bracelets and necklaces.

What NOT to do

  • Never underestimate a first degree burn: a very large superficial burn can be as dangerous as a lesion of limited size, but deep.
  • Do not apply home remedies such as oil, butter, tomatoes, toothpaste, talc, etc. to the burned area. These substances prevent the wound from healing properly and can predispose to infections.
  • Do not compress the area affected by the first degree burn.

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