Burns are damage to the skin typically caused by contact with scalding liquid, flames in a building fire, or flammable liquids and gases. According to the American Burn Association (ABA), there are more than 1 million burn injuries each year in the United States. Severe burns are among the chief causes of death in children.

Burns range from minor to severe, depending on how much of the skin is affected and how deeply. Typical burn injuries to children include scalding to the face, neck or arm from hot water or when hot liquid is pulled off a stove or table; burns to a leg when the end of clothing catches fire; “splash” burns resulting from cooking accidents; and burns on the palm of the hand due to contact with a hot surface.

There are three types of burns:

• First-degree burn. The least serious type of burn. It involves only the epidermis (outer layer of the skin).
  
  
• Second-degree burn. Involves the epidermis and the dermis (layer beneath the epidermis).
  
  
• Third-degree burn. Involves damage or total destruction of all three layers of the skin – the epidermis, dermis and subcutaneous layer. Underlying muscles, tendons and bones may also be damaged.

Burns can be caused by a number of sources including thermal, electrical, chemical and radioactive agents. Common signs and symptoms of burns include blisters, pain, red skin, peeling skin, swelling, and white or charred skin. Burns in children are usually thermal burns, caused by scalding water or flames.

Children are more susceptible to burns than adults for several reasons. A child’s natural curiosity can create potential danger when it is coupled with a lack of understanding of the threats posed by sources of heat. In addition, the skin of children is thinner than adult skin, so the same burn in an adult and a child will result in a more severe injury to the child. Children also have a higher proportion of skin surface area compared to adults. Other non-skin burn injuries (e.g., airway obstructions and dehydration) can also affect children more severely.

Diagnosis is based on the appearance of the burn. Different degrees of burns have different characteristics. Minor burns often heal well on their own and do not require serious medical treatment. However, first aid should be administered for all types of burns. More significant burns may require medical treatment, including hospitalization and skin grafts.

All burns can lead to infection if not cared for properly. Therefore, even patients with minor burns or their parents are encouraged to examine burn sites daily for increased pain, redness, swelling, pus or other signs of infection.