Burns Flashcards
Superficial
Affects only epidermis
Does not cause scarring
Example:Sunburn
Superficial Partial Thickness
Destroys the epidermis and damage part of the papillary dermal layers
Blister forms over the burn
Pain is present due to irritation of the nerve endings
usually heals within 10 days
minimal scarring
Deep Partial thickness
destroys the epidermis and damages the dermis to the reticular layer
significant damage to nerve ending, blood vessels, hair follicles and sweat glands
severe edema
heals in 3-5 weeks
keloid and hypertrophic scarring
Keloid scarring
excessive amount of healed tissue that extends beyond the parameters of the original wound
Hypertrophic scarring
raised scar, but isolated to the area of the original wound
Full thickness
destroys dermis, epidermis, and underlying fat tissue
eschar…infection
no sensation
hair follicles and dermal glands destroyed
needs surgical intervention for healing
Subdermal
destroy epidermis, dermis and all other tissues
caused by flame or electrical shock
needs surgical intervention
could need amputation
often fatal
electrical burns
blood vessel damage leads to gangrene
spinal cord may be injured
damage to other areas may not be known till later
Rule of 9’s
Head is 9%
Each upper extremity is 9%
Each lower extremity is 9%
Anterior trunk is 18%
Posterior trunk is 18%
Inflammatory phase
3-5 days after injury
redness, edema, warmth, pain and decreased ROM
Proliferative phase
Re-epithelialization occurs at surface of wound
fibroblasts are synthesizing scar tissue
collagen depositing
granulation tissue formation
wound contraction occurs
PREVENTION OF CONTRACTURE IS KEY
Maturation phase
remodeling of scar tissue
if rate of collagen production exceed collagen breakdown, hypertrophic scar may result
Pressure garments
25 mmHG is most common
as little at 10 mmHG is effective
25-35 mmHG may induce maturation of hypertrophic scars
pressure >40 mmHG can cause maceration or paresthesias
