Thermal burn

A thermal burn is a type of burn resulting from making contact with heated objects, such as boiling water, steam, hot cooking oil, fire, and hot objects. Scalds are the most common type of thermal burn suffered by children, but for adults thermal burns are most commonly caused by fire. Burns are generally classified from first degree up to fourth degree, but the American Burn Association (ABA) has categorized thermal burns as minor, moderate, and major, based almost solely on the depth and size of the burn.

There are three (or sometimes four) degrees of burns, in ascending order of severity and depth. For more info, see Burn#Signs and symptoms.

According to Jackson's thermal wound theory, there are three zones of major burn injury, shaped usually like a bull's-eye.

The minimum temperature that can cause a burn in a finite amount of time is 44 °C (111 °F). From 44° to 51 °C (111° to 124 °F), the rate of burn increases by a factor of approximately four with each Celsius degree risen or twice per Fahrenheit degree risen, from six hours down to six seconds. The burn would develop in less than a second if the exposure temperature is at least 70 °C (160 °F).

There are skin factors that offer resistance to burns. A person who is more burn resistant would require higher temperature and longer exposure to burn as badly than a less resistant person.

Thicker skin would offer more insulation from heat. External factors on the skin like hair, moisture or oils can also help ease and delay the burn. Another factor is skin circulation, which is used to dissipate heat imprinted on the skin.

Scalding is a type of thermal burn caused by boiling water and steam, commonly suffered by children. Scalds are commonly caused by accidental spilling of hot liquids, having water temperature too high for baths and showers, steam from boiling water or heated food, or getting splattered by hot cooking oil. Scalding is usually a first- or second-degree burn, and third-degree burn can sometimes result from prolonged contact. Nearly three quarters of all burn injuries suffered by young children is scalding.

Fire causes about 50% of all cases of thermal burns in the United States. The most frequent event where people get burned by fire is during house fires encountered by firefighters and trapped occupants, where 85% of all fire deaths take place.Fireworks are another notable cause of fire burns, especially by adolescent males on Independence Days. The most common cause of injury by fire or flame by children is touching candle flame. In some regions, such as the western United States, getting burned by wildfires are common, especially by firefighters who are trying to fight forest fires. Wildfires can suddenly shift due to changing wind directions, making it harder for firefighters and eyewitnesses to avoid getting burned.

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