Page 112 - Participant Manual

Burns range in severity from minor to critical. A critical burn is one that is life threatening or potentially
disfiguring or disabling, and it requires immediate medical attention. When evaluating whether a burn is
critical or not, consider the following factors:
■ The depth of the burn. Burns can be classified a large percentage of the person’s total body
according to depth (Figure 6-4). Superficial surface area.
burns only involve the epidermis (the top layer ■ The location of the burn. Burns that affect the
of skin). Partial-thickness burns involve the hands, feet or groin; those that involve the head,
epidermis and the dermis (the layer of skin neck, nose, or mouth or affect the person’s ability
underneath the epidermis that contains blood to breathe; and circumferential burns (i.e., those
vessels, nerves, hair follicles and glands). Full- that go all the way around a limb) are considered
thickness burns involve both layers of skin and critical burns.
may extend into the subcutaneous tissue, muscle
or bone underneath. Generally speaking, the ■ The age of the person. If the person is younger
deeper the burn, the greater the severity. than 5 years or older than 60 years, the burn should
be considered critical, unless it is very minor.
■ The percentage of the body’s surface
area that is burned. A burn that covers ■ The cause of the burn. Burns caused by
more than one part of the body or covers a electricity, exposure to chemicals, exposure to
large percentage of the person’s total body nuclear radiation or an explosion are considered
surface area requires medical attention. Even a critical burns.
superficial burn can be a critical burn if it affects
If you think that a person has a critical burn, call 9-1-1 or the designated emergency number immediately.

Hair

Superficial Epidermis
burn
Partial-thickness
burn Dermis
Hair follicle
Full-thickness Subcutaneous Vein
burn Artery
tissue
Nerve

Sensory receptor Sweat gland

Figure 6-4. Burns can be classified according to depth. © 2011, 2016 The American National Red Cross. All rights reserved.

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