Can low temperatures also cause burns? It can cause necrosis of deep skin tissue

China Science and Technology News, December 1 (Jin Kaiyi) As the weather gets colder, hot water bottles, electric blankets, and heat packs have become the most commonly used warming artifacts. Although the heating artifacts are not particularly hot, if they are in contact with low-temperature objects that are higher than body temperature for a long time, they will cause low-temperature burns.

Low-temperature burns refer to chronic burns caused by long-term contact with low-temperature objects of about 40℃ to 70℃. They are more common in winter, accounting for about one-third of winter burns. Generally, short-term contact between the skin and low-temperature heat sources only causes blister-type burns in the superficial dermis, but if the low-temperature heat source continues to act, it will gradually develop into burns in the deep dermis and subcutaneous tissues.

Compared with high temperature, low temperature burns do not cause strong irritation and pain when in contact, but long-term contact will cause damage to human skin. In addition, the wound surface of low temperature burns is generally deep, and the surface may not look serious, such as redness, swelling, blisters, peeling or whitening, but it is very likely that the subcutaneous tissue has been damaged, or even deep tissue necrosis has been caused, requiring surgical treatment.

Low-temperature burns are not limited to the use of hot water bottles, heat packs, electric blankets and other heating objects. There are many things we don't expect, such as steam eye masks, heating beauty devices, and even mobile phones. Compared with other obvious safety hazards, low-temperature burns are more likely to be ignored, so you should be more careful.

If you have been scalded by low temperature, you can rinse the wound with cold water or apply ice cubes for emergency treatment. After rinsing, you should pay attention to disinfection in time. Remember not to apply toothpaste or "tiger oil" on the wound to avoid bacterial infection. If the burn is serious, you should still seek medical attention as soon as possible.