If you've ever experienced a sunburn or scalded yourself in the kitchen, you need to know some basic burn first aid — and when to see a doctor for your sunburn. First, some burn basics. Ahead, we'll break down everything you need to know about burns sunburns and beyond , including how to identify the degree of your burn, how to treat it, and when to seek medical attention, if so needed. First-degree burns are the least severe.
Third-Degree Burns | Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
A burn is an injury to skin , or other tissues, caused by heat , cold , electricity , chemicals , friction , or ultraviolet radiation like sunburn. In the home, risks are associated with domestic kitchens, including stoves, flames, and hot liquids. Burns that affect only the superficial skin layers are known as superficial or first-degree burns. Burns are generally preventable. In , fire and heat resulted in 67 million injuries. The characteristics of a burn depend upon its depth.
Back to Health A to Z. Burns and scalds are damage to the skin usually caused by heat. Both are treated in the same way. A burn is caused by dry heat — by an iron or fire, for example.
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