Burns and Blisters
Out of all skin conditions, burns and blisters commonly occur during daily living from a range of causes. Ninety five percent of burn cases seen at hospitals in the US and UK usually require medical treatment. Usually people seek medical attention for infected burns and blisters causing mild to severe irritation.
The differences between burns and blisters
Besides the cause and treatment, burns and blisters differ in physical formation and appearance. Burns are parts of the skin scalded usually by external elements and may also include the presence of blisters. A blister can be a second degree burn or result from infection, rash, and dermatitis conditions. A number of dermatitis associated conditions give rise to blisters, as do infectious fungal and viral agents, certain auto-immune disorders and diseases.
Causes of burns and blisters
Burns
Burns affect the epidermis (outer skin layer) and dermis (containing collagen, tissue and elastic fibers). Usually burns result from extreme hot or cold temperature, such as sunburn or frost bite that scald the skin (cause “boiling” or “freezing”). Other causes include burns from chemicals, electricity, radiation, and friction.
Blisters
Blisters may also result from burns as listed above or may be caused by friction, such as with new shoes or wearing clothes that chaff the skin. Besides friction, forms of dermatitis and infection with fungi or virus can also cause blisters. Other contributors are triggers of rashes.
Types of burns and blisters
Degrees of burns
Burns may be described according to “thickness” (superficial, partial, deep or full), but mostly are classified according to the degree (severity) of the burn through symptoms. First degree burns only affect the epidermis causing redness , second degree burns cause blistering of the skin from the dermis and deep dermis, and third degree burns with charring include damage of subcutaneous tissue, keratin, and nerves causing severe pain and scarring later. Redness and blistering may surround such deeper burns. Depending on the degree, healing takes longer.
Types of blisters
As mentioned, blisters are a form of second degree burn. However, blisters can also be caused by viral or fungal infections such as cold sores or skin rashes from other forms of dermatitis, such as acne and eczema. Such blisters require different treatment, dependent on cause, to burn blisters. Therefore, blisters are categorized according to their cause.
Diagnosing burns and blisters
Burns are diagnosed by physical symptoms to the skin and also by cause. Usually cause can be identified as the skin burns shortly after contact.
While friction-causing bruises are easily identifiable, rashes with blisters can be harder to determine because of the number of possible causes. Fluid-filled little dots on the skin can form from viral or fungal infections too, and in such cases, the blood may need to be tested.
In all cases, physicians usually discuss medication use, health conditions, lifestyle factors and family history.
Treatments for burns and blisters
Treating burns
Burns can be fatal because depending on severity, the burns can cause infection, metabolic imbalances, respiratory difficulties, and also shock. Depending on the degree of burn, different burn treatments are required that may include:
- First degree burns - Run burned skin area under cold water for approximately ten minutes, pat the surface dry, place sterile dressing over burn, keep clean and dry, and change the dressing regularly. Some people use homeopathic or aloe treatments, and further medical attention may or may not be necessary.
- Second degree burns (including blisters) – Use of sterile dressings, prescribed antiseptics and antibiotics to prevent infection
- Third degree burns (treated as emergency) – blood and/or fluid transfusions (IV), preventative antiseptics and antibiotics, such as anti-tetanus and anti-bacterial, medication for pain relief, such as morphine, surgery and skin grafts
Treating blisters
Most minor blisters can heal naturally under sterile dressing. Treatment depends on the cause and type of blister.
- Blisters resulting from infection by fungi or virus require anti-fungal or anti-viral ointments or medication to prevent infection and further blistering or rash.
- Blood blisters should heal naturally, and cold sterile dressings can be applied. Infected blisters are usually treated with antibiotics after diagnosis by a physician.
- Blisters caused by a specific type of dermatitis needs treatment per the condition (see Dermatitis section)
- Blister resulting from underlying health conditions needs treatment that takes the condition into consideration. Blisters should not be left if healing is slow and rash blisters should receive medical examination.