Types of Possible Burns in Agricultural Mechanicstuscolaagriculture.weebly.com/uploads/8/3/8/9/8389114/burns.pdf · Subcutaneous Layer Fat Cells ... Another type of burn is a chemical

Types of Possible Burns inAgricultural Mechanics

BURNS are injuries that destroy or

damage layers of skin and some-

times underlying tissue. Burns can be

caused by heat, electricity, chemicals,

radiation, and frostbite. When an acci-

dent results in a burn, everyone should

know what action is required. Adminis-

tering 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:

� Identify the different categories of burns and describe the treatment for each.

Key Terms:

�

Types of Burns and Their Treatment

Although precautions are taken, hazards for getting burned or scalded often exist in agricul-

tural mechanics. Thus, knowing how to respond when someone receives such an injury is very

E-unit: Types of Possible Burns in Agricultural Mechanics

Page 1 � AgEdLibrary.com

Copyright © by CAERT, Inc. — Reproduction by subscription only. 020039

chemical burn

dermis

epidermis

first-degree burn

fourth-degree burn

scalding

second-degree burn

third-degree burn

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 treat-

ing an injury.

A burn can penetrate the surface of

the skin and cause additional injury the

deeper it goes. The injury is rated

according to its seriousness. The burn

rating is called the degree of burn. This

E-unit will focus on four degrees of

burns.

A first-degree burn is a pinkish-red

spot that is very sensitive to the touch.

The skin appears blanched when light

pressure is applied. First-degree burns

cause minimal tissue damage and involve

only the epidermis (surface layer of

skin). Pain, redness, and some swelling

can be expected.

First aid for a first-degree burn starts

with running cool water, not ice water,

over the burned area for at least five min-

utes. Do not apply water, however, if the

skin has been broken or if the burn

occurred in a cold environment. A clean,

wet, cool towel laid over the burned area

helps reduce the pain. Keep the victim

calm. After cooling the burn for several

minutes, cover it with a sterile

nonadhesive bandage (gauze) or a clean

cloth. Protect the injury from friction

and pressure. Minor burns generally heal

without additional treatment.

A second-degree burn affects both

the epidermis and the dermis (second

layer of skin). Such a burn causes red-

ness, swelling, blisters, and pain. The

sweat glands and hair follicles can be

affected. If a deep second-degree burn is

not treated, swelling and decreased blood

flow can permit the burn to develop into

a third-degree burn.




Sweat Pore

Duct BloodVessels

HairFollicle

Epidermis

Dermis

Subcutaneous

Layer

Fat CellsSweat Gland

Nerves

First-degree burn—only the skin

surface (epidermis) is affected.

Second-degree burn—the epidermal layer

is damaged, forming blisters or shallow breaks.

Third-degree burn—the epidermis, dermis, and

subcutaneous layers of tissue are destroyed.

Break

Epidermis

Dermis

SubcutaneousLayer

Blister

Serum

SubcutaneousLayer

Serum

Epidermis

Dermis

FIGURE 1. Burns of all degrees cause tissue damage.

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 third-

degree 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 ban-

dages. 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 addi-

tional 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 pro-

gressively 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 chemi-

cal 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 writ-

ten name of the chemical to the

medical treatment center. Burns

from particular chemicals often

require specific treatments.




FIGURE 2. Safety procedures should be taken whenever chemical burns

could occur.

Scalding occurs when skin comes into con-

tact with a hot liquid. Scalds from hot oil are usu-

ally 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:

� Burns are injuries that destroy or dam-age layers of skin and sometimesunderlying tissue. Burns can be causedby heat, electricity, chemicals, radia-tion, or frostbite. When a burn occurs,knowing first aid can reduce the sever-ity of the injury or even save a life.

Burns are given category, or degree,designation to assist with proper treat-ment. Minor burns can be treated withfirst aid, whereas more serious burnsrequire professional attention.

If the burn area is whitish, charred black, brown, yellow, or cherry red, professionalmedical attention is needed. Any of these colors indicates a third- or even fourth-degree burn. A second-degree burn usually shows redness. A first-degree burn isrecognized by a pinkish-red color.

Certain chemicals can produce severe burns. Hot liquids can cause scalding. Scaldsfrom 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.




FIGURE 3. Hot coolant released from a radiator could

cause scalding.

Expanding Your Knowledge:

� Arrange a field trip to the local emergency response unit in your area. Request apresentation on how to treat burn victims. If a field trip is not practical, the emer-gency response unit may be able to attend a class session and share information onresponding 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




Documents

Types of Possible Burns in Agricultural Mechanicstuscolaagriculture.weebly.com/uploads/8/3/8/9/8389114/burns.pdf · Subcutaneous Layer Fat Cells ... Another type of burn is a chemical