Today we will talk about what a lung burn is and how it is treated. To begin with, this type of burn belongs to the group of lesions of internal organs. Thus, the course of the disease is quite severe and, possibly, entails serious consequences.
Damage to the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract occurs, which can occur as a result of inhalation of hot steam or certain chemicals. In addition, a similar injury can be obtained with radiation, then this is already a radiation burn of the lungs. As a rule, this injury is combined with burns of other organs of the respiratory system (for example, nose, larynx or trachea). All burns are usually divided into two large groups:
But in any case, a person urgently needs first aid. You will also learn how to do this from this article.
Classification Features
All types of burns of the respiratory tract are usually divided into 4 separate groups. You will find more information on this in the table below.
| Group | Explanation |
| Damage to the lungs and bronchi | The following factors contribute to the occurrence of a problem: - inhalation of hot air;
- inhalation of steam;
- inhalation of smoke.
Hyperemia develops, mucus begins to accumulate in the lungs. All this leads to shortness of breath, pulmonary edema or even burn shock. Inhalation of caustic smoke can lead not only to a thermal burn, but also to a chemical one, which poses a serious danger to human life. |
| Larynx | This problem can be encountered if swallowing boiling liquid or food. Inhalation of hot steam can also cause a laryngeal burn. Due to the fact that there is a defeat of the epiglottis, folds and cartilage, this type of burn is much harder than a pharyngeal burn. In this case, there is a dysfunction of swallowing function, since each sip responds with severe pain. Perhaps the appearance of sputum with impurities of pus and blood. |
| Pharynx | The causes of the defeat, as in the previous case, are: - swallowing boiling liquid or food;
- inhalation of hot steam.
Slight damage - swelling of the mucosa, pain when swallowing. More difficult situations are blisters and white plaque on the pharyngeal mucosa. They pass after about five days, but leave a mark in the form of erosion. Pain during swallowing will accompany you no more than 2 weeks. |
| Trachea | The cause (most often) is a fire. Symptoms include: - labored breathing;
- cyanosis;
- pain when swallowing;
- dyspnea;
- cough.
This type of burn is quite rare, due to the anatomical structure of a person. Our body can involuntarily contract the muscles of the larynx, which allows us to completely close the glottis. |
Causes
It is immediately worth noting that with this injury there are absolutely no external signs. Suspicion of a burn of the respiratory tract can be according to some signs, among which:
- finding the victim in a closed room;
- the presence of burns on the neck, face and chest surface;
- hairs in the nose are scorched;
- the presence of soot impurities in saliva and secretions from the nose, on the tongue and nasopharynx;
- heavy and noisy breathing;
- barking cough;
- voice change;
- vomiting with blood.
Of course, the symptoms listed do not make it possible to understand the extent and depth of the lesion, but it is thanks to them that medical workers can make a preliminary diagnosis and provide the necessary assistance to the victim.
Severity classification
In total, it is customary to distinguish three degrees of severity. Briefly consider each separately.
- The first degree of burn of the respiratory system is characterized by damage to the mucous membrane of the mouth, epiglottis and larynx due to ingestion of very hot liquid, food or steam. With lung damage, there is swelling of the mucosa and pain when swallowing. The appearance of plaque and blisters on the mucous membrane of the pharynx.
- A burn of the lungs of 2 degrees is more severe. With this injury, not only the lungs are affected, but also the epiglottis, its cartilage and folds, pharynx and trachea.
- The third degree already carries a serious danger to human life. In this case, the bronchi do not cope with their task (moisture retention) and mucus accumulates in the lungs. With all this, it is very difficult for a person to breathe, severe swelling and burn shock are observed.
Symptoms
What are the symptoms of a burn of the lungs and other organs of the respiratory tract? This includes:
- the presence of a burn on the face, neck, chest;
- burnt nose hair;
- the presence of soot in the tongue or palate;
- necrotic spots on the oral mucosa;
- swelling of the nasopharynx;
- change in the voice of the victim (hoarseness);
- pain when swallowing;
- labored breathing;
- dry cough, etc.
Symptoms appear depending on the type and degree of damage. To diagnose a problem, a procedure called bronchoscopy is necessary. It will help to obtain more detailed information. Please note: in the first 12 hours after the burn, airway swelling occurs, which often leads to bronchospasm. Over time, foci of inflammation form, which must be treated.
Thermal burn
Thermal burn of the lungs means damage to the body as a result of exposure to the thermal factor (flame, hot air, hot steam, and so on). Very often there are chemical-thermal burns, which combine immediately two varieties of this lesion. In case of a burn, a person needs urgent first aid, because the larynx stenosis developing as a result of an injury can lead to the death of the victim.
- 1st degree - short-term thermal exposure. These burns are easily treatable and have a favorable prognosis.
- 2nd degree - a consequence of exposure to flames, hot steam or smoke. Very often, the 2nd degree is a combination of thermal and chemical burns. With this lesion, the prognosis is more serious, it is worth starting treatment immediately to avoid serious consequences.
- The danger of the 3rd degree is acute emphysema and prolonged pneumonia. Lesions in this injury are necrotic and fibrinous in nature. Forecasts in this case are more depressing.
Steam
Incorrect actions during first aid to a person who has been burned by steam of the lungs can lead to a worsening of the situation. Timely and competent help will help to avoid serious consequences and lead to a speedy recovery.
The sequence of actions for burns of the respiratory tract with hot steam:
- eliminate the source of the problem;
- rinse your mouth with cold water;
- drink a few sips of cool water;
- in the presence of an oxygen mask, put it on the victim;
- call an ambulance crew.
Chemical burn
It is possible to get a chemical burn of the lungs and other organs of the respiratory system when exposed to the skin or mucous membrane of some caustic chemicals:
- acids;
- alkalis;
- salts of heavy metals, etc.
In this case, the severity of the injury depends on many factors:
- the nature of the substance;
- its concentration;
- its temperature;
- contact duration.
Acids
When any acid gets on the skin, a so-called dry scab appears, which prevents the penetration of a dangerous substance into the body. Depending on the type of chemical, it may have a different color.
| Acid | Scab color |
| Sulfuric | dark grey |
| Salt | sapphire gray |
| Nitric | yellow |
| Acetic, carbolic | green |
Chlorine
A burn of the lungs is guaranteed against the leakage of chlorine in the workplace. In this case, urgent evacuation of people from the poisoned premises is necessary. Chlorine vapor can cause shortness of breath, paroxysmal cough and swelling of the nasopharynx.
The provision of first aid for poisoning with chlorine vapor:
- thorough washing of the face, mouth and eyes with a weak solution of soda;
- instillation of eyes with vegetable oil (preferably olive, but in the absence of the latter, sunflower is also suitable);
- with severe pain, an intramuscular injection of analgin can be given.
All manipulations should be carried out with gloves, and upon arrival of the ambulance crew, it is necessary to report on the measures taken and the drugs introduced.
Treatment
Treatment of burns of the lungs and other organs of the respiratory system (emergency care):
- the introduction of painkillers;
- face wash;
- mouth rinse;
- in the presence of acute pain, the oral cavity is treated with lidocaine;
- oxygen mask.
Drug therapy is aimed at:
- relief of laryngeal edema;
- elimination of pain;
- ensuring the outflow of mucus from the lungs;
- prevention of pneumonia.
It is customary to use the following groups of drugs:
- anti-inflammatory;
- decongestants;
- painkillers;
- antibacterial.
In addition, the patient must remain silent for two weeks and regularly inhal with medications.
Forecast
Making a prognosis for a burn is quite difficult, because it depends on many factors:
- degree of damage;
- age;
- general state of health;
- the presence of concomitant diseases, etc.
With timely treatment, a 1st degree lesion does not pose a serious threat to the body, but what are the consequences of a 2nd and 3rd degree lung burn? They often lead to negative consequences, such as chronic pneumonia, pulmonary or heart failure, or even bronchial necrosis. The last complication always leads to death.