Classification of Burns Based on Depth Characteristics
| Classification | Cause | Appearance | Sensation | Healing time | Scarring |
| Superficial burn | Ultraviolet light,very short flash (flame exposure) | Dry and red; blanches with pressure | Painful | 3 to 6 days | None |
| Superficial partial thickness burn | Scald (spill or splash),short flash | Blisters; moist,red and weeping; blanches with pressure | Painful to air and temperature | 7 to 20 days | Unusual; potential pigmentarychanges |
| Deep partial thickness burn | Scald (spill), flame, oil, grease | Blisters (easily unroofed); wet or waxy dry; variable color (patchy to cheesy white to red); does not blanch with pressure | Perceptive of pressure only | More than 21 days | Severe (hypertrophic) risk of contracture |
| Full thickness | Scald (immersion), flame, steam, oil, grease, chemical, high-voltage electricity | Waxy white to leathery gray to charred and black; dry and inelastic;does not blanch with pressure | Deep pressure only | Never (if the burn affects more than 2 percent of the total surface area of the body) | Very severe risk of contracture |
Referral to a burn unit is indicated for patients who meet the criteria for major burns as defined by the ABA (Table 2). Included are patients who manifest inhalation injury or have burn marks from high-voltage electrical injury.
American Burn Association’s Grading System for Burnination of Patients
| Type of burn | Minor | Moderate | Major |
| Criteria: | <10 percent TBSA burn in adult <5 percent TBSA burn in young or old <2 percent full thickness burn | 10 to 20 percent TBSA burn in adult 5 to 10 percent TBSA burn in young or old 2 to 5 percent full-thickness burn High-voltage injury Suspected inhalation injury Circumferential burn Concomitant medical problem predisposing the patient to infection (e.g., diabetes, sickle cell disease) | >20 percent TBSA burn in adult >10 percent TBSA burn in young or old >5 percent full-thickness burn High-voltage burn Known inhalation injury Any significant burn to face, eyes, ears, genitalia or joints Significant associated injuries (e.g., fracture, other major trauma) |
| Disposition: | Outpatient management | Hospital admission | Referral to burn center |
Comments
Excellent information!