Types of Possible Burns in
Agricultural Mechanics
B
URNS are injuries that destroy or
damage layers of skin and sometimes underlying tissue. Burns can be
caused by heat, electricity, chemicals,
radiation, and frostbite. When an accident results in a burn, everyone should
know what action is required. Administering first aid may save a life. A burn
injury is often very painful to the victim.
The severity of a burn depends on the
depth to which it penetrates and the
size of the area involved.
Be prepared to treat burns by keeping a first-aid kit, in a dustproof container, easily
accessible. Check the first-aid kit often, reviewing the expiration dates on products and the
quantities of items present.
Objective:
þ
Identify the different categories of burns and describe the treatment for each.
Key Terms:
Ñ
chemical burn
dermis
epidermis
first-degree burn
fourth-degree burn
scalding
second-degree burn
third-degree burn
Types of Burns and Their Treatment
Although precautions are taken, hazards for getting burned or scalded often exist in agricultural mechanics. Thus, knowing how to respond when someone receives such an injury is very
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important. A burn generally occurs when a person touches a hot item or creates an electrical
ground while touching a live electrical conductor. Scalding is caused by contact with a hot
fluid.
Everyone should learn first aid. First aid consists of the recommended procedures for treating an injury.
A burn can penetrate the surface of
Duct
the skin and cause additional injury the
Blood
Vessels
Sweat Pore
deeper it goes. The injury is rated
Epidermis
according to its seriousness. The burn
rating is called the degree of burn. This
Dermis
Hair
E-unit will focus on four degrees of
Follicle
burns.
Subcutaneous
A first-degree burn is a pinkish-red
Layer
spot that is very sensitive to the touch.
The skin appears blanched when light
Sweat Gland
pressure is applied. First-degree burns
Fat Cells
Nerves
cause minimal tissue damage and involve
only the epidermis (surface layer of
First-degree burn—only the skin
skin). Pain, redness, and some swelling
surface (epidermis) is affected.
can be expected.
Blister
Break
First aid for a first-degree burn starts
Epidermis
with running cool water, not ice water,
over the burned area for at least five minSerum
Dermis
utes. Do not apply water, however, if the
skin has been broken or if the burn
occurred in a cold environment. A clean,
Subcutaneous
Layer
wet, cool towel laid over the burned area
helps reduce the pain. Keep the victim
calm. After cooling the burn for several
Second-degree burn—the epidermal layer
minutes, cover it with a sterile
is damaged, forming blisters or shallow breaks.
nonadhesive bandage (gauze) or a clean
cloth. Protect the injury from friction
Serum
and pressure. Minor burns generally heal
Epidermis
without additional treatment.
Dermis
A second-degree burn affects both
the epidermis and the dermis (second
layer of skin). Such a burn causes redSubcutaneous
Layer
ness, swelling, blisters, and pain. The
sweat glands and hair follicles can be
affected. If a deep second-degree burn is
Third-degree burn—the epidermis, dermis, and
not treated, swelling and decreased blood
subcutaneous layers of tissue are destroyed.
flow can permit the burn to develop into
a third-degree burn.
FIGURE 1. Burns of all degrees cause tissue damage.
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A third-degree burn goes through the dermis, the epidermis, and the subcutaneous layer
underneath. Some tissue is actually destroyed. A third-degree burn is less painful at first than a
second-degree burn because the nerve cells are destroyed in the burn area. Such a burn appears
whitish, charred black, brown, yellow, or cherry red. The skin is dry and leathery. When thirddegree burns heal, scarring occurs. Third-degree burns may require skin grafts.
Treatment for both second- and third-degree burns is similar. Do not attempt to remove
burned clothing if it is stuck to the skin. Make sure the clothing is not burning or smoldering.
Check to see that the burn victim is breathing. Cover the burn with a cool, damp, sterile,
nonadhesive bandage. Do not apply ointments and do not break blisters if they appear. If fingers
or toes have been burned, they may be separated with clean, soft, sterile, nonadhesive bandages. To prevent shock, have the victim lie flat with the feet slightly elevated. If the head,
neck, or back has been injured, allow the victim to find a comfortable position to avoid additional pain. Get the victim medical attention as soon as possible.
A fourth-degree burn penetrates the epidermis, the dermis, and the subcutaneous layer
and extends into the muscle and bone. Fourth-degree burns look similar to third-degree
burns. They do an extensive amount of damage to body tissue and structure. Nerves are
destroyed, so there is little pain with a fourth-degree burn.
Both third- and fourth-degree burns require emergency medical attention. Victims need to
be moved to a hospital emergency center as soon as possible. Do not attempt to remove any
stuck clothing. Cover a third- or fourth-degree burn with a clean cloth.
Another type of burn is a chemical burn. A chemical burn occurs when an acid, alkali, or
vesicant contacts skin or is ingested or inhaled. To administer first aid for a chemical burn, first
remove the clothing on or near the burn area. Cut or tear clothing that is typically pulled over
the head. Wash the area, using low-pressure water for a minimum of 20 minutes. Damage
from a chemical burn can get progressively more severe until the
chemical is neutralized. The
extent of injury depends upon the
kind of chemical and the amount
of time the victim is exposed to
the chemical. Battery acid, oils,
and motor fuels can cause chemical burns. Apply a nonadhesive
sterile dressing to a chemically
burned area and get medical
attention for the victim as soon as
possible. When practical, take the
chemical container, label, or writFIGURE 2. Safety procedures should be taken whenever chemical burns
ten name of the chemical to the
could occur.
medical treatment center. Burns
from particular chemicals often
require specific treatments.
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Scalding occurs when skin comes into contact with a hot liquid. Scalds from hot oil are usually more damaging than those from hot water
because oil heats to a higher temperature and the
thicker liquid sticks to the skin longer. Clothing
keeps hot liquid in contact with the skin, allowing
an injury to become more severe. Even steam can
cause an injury.
Summary:
2
Burns are injuries that destroy or damage layers of skin and sometimes
underlying tissue. Burns can be caused
by heat, electricity, chemicals, radiation, or frostbite. When a burn occurs,
knowing first aid can reduce the severity of the injury or even save a life.
Burns are given category, or degree,
designation to assist with proper treatment. Minor burns can be treated with
first aid, whereas more serious burns
require professional attention.
FIGURE 3. Hot coolant released from a radiator could
cause scalding.
If the burn area is whitish, charred black, brown, yellow, or cherry red, professional
medical attention is needed. Any of these colors indicates a third- or even fourthdegree burn. A second-degree burn usually shows redness. A first-degree burn is
recognized by a pinkish-red color.
Certain chemicals can produce severe burns. Hot liquids can cause scalding. Scalds
from hot oil can be especially severe.
Checking Your Knowledge:
´
1. Describe the appearance of a first-degree burn.
2. Describe the appearance of a second-degree burn.
3. Describe the appearance of a third-degree burn.
4. Describe the appearance of a fourth-degree burn.
5. Describe the recommended first aid for a chemical burn.
6. Explain why hot oil can cause a more severe burn than hot water.
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Expanding Your Knowledge:
L
Arrange a field trip to the local emergency response unit in your area. Request a
presentation on how to treat burn victims. If a field trip is not practical, the emergency response unit may be able to attend a class session and share information on
responding to burn victims.
Web Links:
:
Burns
http://www.survival-center.com/firstaid/burns.htm
First Aid for Burns
http://www.murphyfire.org/burn_safety.htm
KidsHealth—Burns
http://kidshealth.org/parent/firstaid_safe/emergencies/burns.html
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