Burn disease is a specific general reaction of the body to burn injuries of the skin and deep tissues. In this case, involvement in the process of the peripheral and central nervous system is observed . In some cases, such a syndrome leads to death.
Burns and their classification
Before considering the stages of the burn syndrome, it is necessary to understand what the burn itself is . This is a tissue lesion that occurs when the skin is exposed to high temperatures, radiation, or hazardous chemicals, including concentrated alkalis and acids. There are four main degrees of burn severity:
- A first degree burn is the least dangerous for the human body. It affects only the upper layers of the skin and is characterized by the appearance of redness and mild swelling on the surface of the skin;
- second degree burn - detachment of the upper layer of the skin (epidermis) and the formation of small bubbles with liquid are already observed here;
- third degree burn - this form is characterized by damage not only to the epidermis, but also to the dermis. At the same time, small areas of healthy tissues are preserved in the area of hair follicles, sweat and sebaceous glands. A severe burn of 3 degrees is accompanied by the appearance of blisters with hemorrhagic fluid and sequential necrosis of the skin.
- a fourth degree burn is characterized not only by damage to the skin, but the tissues that lie beneath it, including muscles and bones.
And if in the first two cases conservative treatment is necessary, deep burns require surgical restoration of the skin (transplant).
Burn disease: when does it occur?
The likelihood of developing such an organism reaction directly depends on the depth of burns and the area of their distribution. It is believed that if at least 10-15% of the surface of the human body suffered from deep burns, then a general reaction of the body develops - a burn disease. The severity of this syndrome depends on many factors, including the nature of the burns, the place of their localization (for example, a burn in the inguinal region causes a reaction of the body even with minor damage), the age of the patient, the presence of other diseases.
Burn disease and the main stages of its development
The course of such a syndrome is usually divided into four main stages, each of which is characterized by certain symptoms and is accompanied by a number of changes.
- Burn shock. As you know, burns cause severe pain that collects from the entire damaged surface of the body and is transmitted to the nervous system. Such intense nerve impulses can cause a state of shock. First, the victim becomes extremely excitable, and then, on the contrary, too depressed. Body temperature rises sharply, and then falls for no apparent reason. Shock affects other centers of the brain, including the center of blood circulation and respiration. The patient has a change in blood composition, drop in blood pressure, impaired renal function.
- Second period. It is mainly associated with the entry into the blood of toxic decay products of burnt tissues. These toxins literally affect the entire body, making it difficult for the liver and kidneys. Then begins the inflammatory process in the lungs. The patient has severe fever. This period is characterized by the development of post-burn anemia. The damaged surface suppurates and becomes a gateway for the penetration of secondary infections into a weakened organism.
- The third period occurs approximately 10 days after the burn lesion. It is accompanied by severe inflammation and complications, including purulent nephritis, pneumonia, and diseases of other organs and tissues.
- The fourth period develops slowly and is the result of exhaustion of the body. At this time, purulent complications arise, as well as malnutrition of tissues and organs, which leads to their slow atrophy.
It is worth noting that the severity of a burn disease also depends on how quickly and correctly the patient was provided with medical care.