What is Second Degree Burn

Second Degree Burn also called a partial thickness wound, is a serious injury that affects the first two layers of skin. A second-degree burn may be minor or major, depending on the size of the burn and which parts of the skin are burned.

What are the causes?

This condition may be caused by:

• Heat. Burns caused by heat happen when skin comes in contact with something very hot, such as a flame or hot liquid.
• Radiation. Sources of radiation include sunlight, radiation used to heat food, and radiation treatments.
• Electricity. Burns caused by electricity happen when electricity passes through the body from lightning, wiring, electrical outlets, appliances, or power lines.
• Certain chemicals, such as acids that come in contact with the skin or eyes. Some chemicals can go through clothing.

What increases the risk?

This condition is more likely to occur in people who:

• Are often exposed to high-risk environments, such as those with open flames, chemicals, or electricity.
• Have cancer and are being treated with radiation.

What are the signs or symptoms?

Symptoms of this condition include:

• Severe pain.
• Skin that is deep red, blistered, tender, and swollen.
• Skin that has changed color.
• Skin that looks blotchy, wet, or shiny.

How is this diagnosed?

This condition is usually diagnosed with an exam of the wounded area. To get a better look at the wound, your health care provider may remove any blistered skin.

It may take several days to find out if you have a second-degree burn because the signs of this kind of burn can take time to develop. You may need to watch the wound for changes at home and visit a health care provider repeatedly to have your wound checked for changes. If the wound is large, you may need to stay in the hospital so a health care team can examine the wound for a few days.

How is this treated?

Treatment depends on the severity and cause of the burn. Healing may take several weeks. Some second-degree burns, including major burns, electrical burns, and chemical burns, may need to be treated in a hospital. Treatment may involve:

• Cooling the burn with cool, germ-free (sterile) water.
• Taking or applying medicines, such as:
  • Medicines to relieve pain or itching.
  • Ointments to treat or prevent infection.
  • Antibiotic medicine to treat or prevent infection.
• Getting a tetanus shot.
• Covering the burn with a bandage (dressing). If your fingers or toes were burned, each of them may be bandaged separately.
• Compression dressings to prevent scarring and help the burned body part stay moveable.
• Removing dead skin. This is done by a health care provider. Do not try to remove dead skin yourself.

Deep burns can cause skin tissue to die, and a scab (eschar) may form where the skin used to be. If you have a deep burn and an eschar forms, you may need surgery to remove the eschar so the skin can heal properly. If your wound is deep and large (it covers more than 15% of your skin), treatment may also involve:

• Receiving fluids and nutrition.
• Close monitoring of blood flow near the wound.
• Oxygen given through a mask or a machine (ventilator). This may be needed if a burn causes fluid shifts in the body that make it hard to breathe.

Follow these instructions at home:

Wound care

• Follow instructions from your health care provider about how to take care of your wound. Make sure you:
  • Wash your hands with soap and water before you change your dressing. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.
  • Change your dressing as directed.
  • If you have a compression dressing, wear it as directed.
• Clean your wound 2–3 times a day or as often as directed.
  • Wash the wound with mild soap and water.
  • Rinse the wound with water to remove all soap.
  • Pat the wound dry with a clean towel. Do not rub it.
• Check your wound every day for signs of infection. Check for:
  • More redness, swelling, or pain.
  • More fluid or blood.
  • Warmth.
  • Pus or a bad smell.
  • Yellow or green fluid.
• Do not scratch or pick at the wound
• Do not break any blisters or peel any skin.
• Avoid exposing your wound to the sun.

Medicine

• Take and apply over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• Take or apply your antibiotic medicine as told by your health care provider. Do not stop using the antibiotic even if you start to feel better.

Eating and drinking

• Drink enough fluid to keep your urine clear or pale yellow.
• Eat a nutritious diet that is high in protein. This will help your wound to heal.

General instructions

• Raise (elevate) the injured area above the level of your heart while sitting or lying down.
• Rest as directed. Do not exercise until your health care provider approves.
• Do not take baths, swim, or use a hot tub until your health care provider approves.
• Do not put ice on your burn. This can cause more damage. Try cooling the burn with:
  • Cool water.
  • A cool, wet, clean cloth (cool compress).
• Keep all follow-up visits as directed. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if:

• Your symptoms do not improve with treatment.
• Your pain is not relieved with medicine.
• You have more redness, swelling, or pain around your wound.
• You have more fluid or blood coming from your wound.
• You have yellow or green fluid, pus, or a bad smell coming from your wound.
• Your wound feels warm to the touch.
• You have a fever.

Get help right away if:

• You develop red streaks near the wound.
• You develop severe pain.

Summary

• A second-degree burn is a serious injury that affects the first two layers of skin.
• Clean your wound 2–3 times a day or as often as directed. Check your wound every day for signs of infection.
• Do not scratch or pick at your wound, break blisters, peel skin, or put ice on your burn.