Burns and scalds are both types of injuries caused by heat. The difference between the two is that burns are caused by dry heat while scalds by wet heat (liquids).

Burns

Burns are caused by dry heat. What does that mean. It means anything other than hot water or hot liquid. Some examples would be a burn by a fire, electricity or the sun.

Burns are classified into 3 main types of burns.

1st Degree Burns (Superficial burns)

These burns are the least serious, with usually only the top layer of skin being burnt. The skin would be red and could have minor swelling. These burns could be caused by over exposure to the sun or by a split second exposure to a hot metal surface.

 

2nd Degree Burns (Partial Depth Burns)

These burns are caused when the burn is greater than just the skin surface. The burn will appear to have blisters the skin may not be present. The victim should feel a lot of pain.

 

 

3rd Degree Burns (Full Depth Burns)

3rd degree burns can be described as completely burnt skin. These burns are very serious and are visible by charred skin or it could be waxy white. Sometimes the victim might not feel pain as the nerves are burnt.

 

 

Scald

A scald is a burn that is caused by a hot liquid (usually water comes to mind) or steam. They can be characterised in the same way burns are.

Electrical Burns

Electrical burns are caused by electricity passing through the body.

Chemical Burns

Chemical burns are caused by the handling of corrosive chemicals such as acids or petrochemicals.