Clinical features: It is thermal trauma to the skin, mucosae and deeper tissues. Classification depends on depth and extent. If area burnt is larger than 10% of body surface area then this is extensive because of fluid loss, catabolism, anaemia and risk of secondary infection. The 'rule of 9' to calculate % of body surface burned, can be used.

Table: Rule of Nne for Calculating % of Body Surface burned

Treatment Guidelines

Ensure that there is an adequate airway, adequate breathing and adequate circulation

• Immerse burnt area in cold water for 10 minutes

• Clean with Normal saline or Chlorhexidine - cetrimide solution

• Apply Gentian Violet solution

• Do not cover

• Calculate fluid requirement per 24 hours. Weight x/% of surface burnt x 2 = quantity of fluid

• Give 75% of fluid requirement as Sodium Lactate compound solution and 25% as 6% Dextran 70 as blood/plasma expanders. Give first half in 8 hours and the arrest within 24 hours

• Give Paracetamol 1000 mg every 8 hours and Diazepam 10 mg IM start

• Give tetanus toxoid 0.5 ml. stat.

• Immobilize in position of function and leave any dressing undisturbed for 5-7 days.

• Debridement where indicated

• Give Procaine Penicillin 1.2 MU IM every 24 hours where indicated but not antibiotic ointment.

• In full thickness burns, skin grafting may be indicated to speed wound healing. In such cases refer to secondary or tertiary level health care centre.