[Medical Q&A] Why should burns be treated immediately?

Author: Zuo Yu, deputy chief physician of the Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University

Reviewer: Li Xiangmin, Chief Physician, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University

Burns refer to tissue damage caused by heat. In a narrow sense, burns refer to flames that burn skin tissue, while scalds refer to skin tissue damage caused by boiling water, hot oil, high-temperature solids, etc.; in a broad sense, burns include not only flame burns, but also high-temperature liquids, steam, high-temperature solids, electric shocks, chemical burns, etc. Scalds are a type of burn. Hot, electrified, and dangerous chemicals can all cause burns. Especially for some chemicals, be sure to carefully understand the usage methods before use to avoid accidental burns!

Severe burns are often accompanied by fluid exudation, shock, infection and even cardiovascular dysfunction, leading to dysfunction of important organs; and for ordinary burns in daily life, there is also a risk of bacterial infection due to skin damage. It can be seen that the consequences of burns are not only tissue damage, but also a series of "chain events". Therefore, after a burn, reasonable treatment is imminent!