Minor Injuries and Burns

Minor Injuries and Burns

Types of Injuries

• Lacerations
• Abrasions
• Avulsions
• Crush injuries
• Bites
• Punctures
• Superficial burns (less than 10% of total body surface area)
• Partial thickness burns
• Full-thickness burns

Epidemiology of Burns

• In 2013-2014, there were 5430 hospitalizations from burn injuries in Australia
• 2/3 of burn victims were male
• Highest rate of burn injury was in the 0-4 age group for both boys and girls
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people made up 9% of all burns cases and had a higher rate of hospitalization than other Australians

Pathophysiology of Burns

• Homeostasis → inflammation → proliferation → remodelling or maturation

Implications of Burns

• Burns >10% (minor burns are less than 10%)
• Burns that do not affect the face, genitals, or are circumferential
• Burns that have not healed within 2-3 weeks
• Burn shock (to be discussed in other units)
• Burns with respiratory involvement
• Older adults or young children with burns
• Acute versus chronic wounds (chronic wounds account for 2%)
• Diabetics are prone to wounds
• Elderly patients often have comorbidities
• Immunocompromised patients are more susceptible to burns
• Sepsis is a possible complication of burns

Classification of Burns

• Thermal burns: Account for the majority of burns, caused by prolonged contact with direct heat
• Cold exposure: Frostbite, can lead to intravascular thrombosis and tissue hypoxia
• Chemical burns: Caused by direct contact with a caustic chemical agent, can cause continuous tissue destruction
• Radiation burns: Include sunburn and radiation exposure, can be deep and lead to cancer due to DNA damage
• Electrical burns: Caused by electrical current flowing through the body, resulting in tissue damage and necrosis

Management of Burns

Non-Pharmacological Management

• Reduce heat and tissue injury by irrigating the burn
• Dust off chemicals for chemical burns
• Leave blisters intact for burns with blisters
• Cover the burn with cling wrap (avoid circumferential constriction)
• Consider using Burn Aid dressing
• Minor burns are painful, consider using nurofen for anti-inflammatory properties
• Consider escalating pain management and fluid requirements based on the percentage of surface area and depth of the burn

Pharmacological Management

• Anti-inflammatories
• Opioids
• Methoxyflurane
• Burn aid
• Topical wound treatments: alginates, antimicrobial hydrofibers, hydrocolloid foams, gels

This quiz covers types of minor injuries, including lacerations, abrasions, and burns, as well as epidemiology of burn injuries, including data and demographics.