Burns-Characteristics of burns: First degree, Second Degree and third Degree
- Surface area of body burnt: it can be found out using the ‘rule of nines’. It is used very accurately in children below the age of 15 years. The whole body is divided into portions of 9%, as shown in the following table. If approximately 10% or more of the body surface of a child or 15% or more of surface area of the body of an adult is burnt, the victim needs hospitalization and vigorous treatment.
Rule of Nines
Parts of the body %
Head and neck – 9
Upper limb – 9
Front of truck- 9 x 2
Back of truck – 9 x 2
Lower limb – 9 x 2
Perineum – 1
Depth of tissue burnt: it depends on the temperature of burning agent and the duration of exposure to heat.
It is classified as shown in the following table.
Depth of Burns
Depth Features
First degree – It is a superficial, partial – thickness burns involving the epidermis and little part of the dermis. It usually heals in 7 to 10 days.
Second degree – It is a deep, partial- thickness burn involving the epidermis and most of the dermis (except its deepest layer). Healing usually takes place in 14 to 21 days.
Third degree – It is a deep, full – thickness burn involving the entire epidermis, dermis, and sometimes even subcutaneous tissue, muscle and bone. Spontaneous healing by epithelization cannot take place, and skin grafting is required.
Part of body burnt: certain areas of the body are of special importance, as is discussed later.
Age of the victim: it determines the morbidity and mortality, as shown in the following table.
Effect of the Age of Victim of Burns
Age of victim (years) Morbidity and mortality
<2 Very high.
2-10 High
10-20 Low moderate
20-40 Moderate
40-50 High
> 50 Very high
