The document summarizes information about burns, including their classification, causes, and treatment. It discusses the layers of skin (epidermis, dermis, hypodermis) and how burns are classified by degree based on the depth of skin damage (first, second, third degree). Massage therapy can help reduce pain, itching, and anxiety for burn patients and aid in healing, though treatments must be modified based on the severity and location of the burn. Recent studies show massage before wound care can lower patient distress.
2. Introduction
The skin has an important role to play in the 鍖uid and
temperature regulation of the body. If enough skin area is
injured, the ability to maintain that control can be lost.
The skin also acts as a protective barrier against bacteria
and viruses, so without it, we would be in trouble.
The anatomy of the skin is complex and there are many
structures within the layers of the skin including the
epidermis, dermis and hypodermis or subcutaneous layer.
The amount of damage that a burn can cause depends on
its location, its depth, and how much body surface area it
involves.
3. Layers of the Skin
Epidermis: the outer layer of the skin.
Dermis: the middle layer of the skin made up of
collagen and elastic 鍖bres. This is where nerves,
blood vessels, sweat glands and hair follicles reside.
Hypodermis or subcutaneous layer: where larger
blood vessels are located. This is the layer of tissue
that is most important for temperature regulation.
4. Description
A burn is an injury by an exogenous agent that
produces a characteristic reaction to local tissues
which may vary from mild erythema to full
thickness destruction of the skin and deeper
tissues.
6. Classi鍖cation
First Degree
Second Degree
Third Degree
7. First Degree Burns
Least serious burn
Only the epidermis is affected
Skin is usually red, with mild in鍖ammation and sometimes pain
A mild sunburn is the most common example
Skin is usually tender to touch
Usually resolves with basic 鍖rst-aid measures within several days to a week
Usually heals in 1 week or less
9. Second Degree Burns
Involves all layers of the epidermis and some of the
dermis
Skin is red, blisters appear instantly, edema and
pain
Often looks wet or moist
Often leaves a permanent scar
11. Third Degree Burns
Involves all the layers of the skin
Kills that area of the skin
Destroys hair shafts, sebaceous glands, erector pilli
muscles, sudoriferous glands, and free nerve
endings
Skin looks white and/or charred and there is a
leathery texture of the skin in the affected area
14. RULE OF 9s
In addition to the depth of the burn, the total area
of the burn is signi鍖cant.
The rule of 9s is often used to measure the
percentage of total body area affected, although this
is adjusted for infants and children.
Only areas with second and/or third degree burns
are added together
If more than 15-20% of the body is involved in a
burn, signi鍖cant 鍖uid may be lost and shock may
occur and risk of death also increases
16. Treatment and
Outcomes
First and second degree burns are seldom treated with anything more than soothing
lotion and possibly antibiotic cream if the skin has been damaged to the point of not
providing protection from infectious agents.
Third degree burns must be treated with more care to minimize the accumulation of
binding scar tissue. This often means would cleansing and aggressive brushing of the
skin to remove debris, as well as skin grafts and plastic surgery.
Untreated burns tend to develop tightly restrictive tissue contractures, which can be so
severe that they interfere with blood 鍖ow and may lead to the loss of healthy cells
through starvation.
Skin grafts reduce contractures and provide healthier covering for the injured tissue.
17. Massage
People with burns suffer pain, itching, and anxiety both from the burn itself and during the
healing of wounds. Massage may help ease these symptoms in both the emergency-care and
recovery phase. People receiving massage therapy have reported that the feel less itching,
pain, anxiety and depressed mood compared to those who received standard care only.
The only kind of burn that is appropriate for hands-on massage in the acute stage is a very
mild sunburn, and of course even then one must work within pain tolerance. Massage may
speed the healing process along by helping to slough off dead cells, but this is not something
to do without a clients permission.
More severe burns my be approached in the subacute stage, but the are locally
contraindicated. It is appropriate to work around the edges of the burn within the pain
tolerance to improve elasticity and minimize scar tissue, as long as the risk of infection is
minimized.
If the burn is past the subacute stage, where no pain is present and only residual scar tissue
is left, massage is safe as long as sensation is intact.
Patients who have received massage prior to getting debridement or other wound care,
have reported to having lower levels of anxiety, pain, and depression.
18. Massage
Essential oils may also be used to heal the skin and treat the pain cause by burns.
Oils are the most bene鍖cial in the 鍖rst degree stage. Lavender oil is especially
recommended for the treatment of burns, as well as calendula, comfrey, chamomile,
and tea tree.
The simplest way to treat your burn with these oils is to add several drops of the
chosen oil into a cool bath and soak the skin in the water. You may also use a
cotton ball to dab some drops directly on the burnt skin, however be careful while
doing this because the oil can be harmful to the skin when used in its natural
concentration.
19. Modi鍖cations to
Massage Treatment
Once burn scars have mature enough in order to refrain from shearing, which is
pulling away from healthy tissue, you might want to try scar massages. This can help
preserve softer, more 鍖exible tissue and avoid scar contractures. Scar massage is
usually performed two or more times a day and is occasionally combined with heat,
caster oil, and lotion to increase tissue 鍖exibility. Just remember that when your
working with heat, it can bring back negative feelings for the client, so you have to be
aware of that.
Exercise therapy is a vital part of burn rehab. As a burn survivors rehabilitation
moves forward, advanced exercises can be introduced in order to increase strength,
motion and mobility. Exercise therapy reduces swelling in the arms, hands, feet and
legs, improves joint motion and muscle strength, increases 鍖exibility, decreases the
chances of having blood clots, and increases bone density.
The most important thing to remember when working with not only a burn patient,
any patient, you have make sure you working within the clients tolerance and make
sure they are comfortable with your treatment techniques.
20. New Studies/
information/
Burns and 鍖res are the third leading cause of accidental death in the United States.
Between 1-2 million Americans seek medical attention for burns each year, most of
which occur at home, work or part of an injury from a motor vehicle accident.
Most burns that happen to children come from scalding liquids.
28 burn patients were randomly assigned to receive massage therapy or standard
treatment while in the hospital. Patients in the massage therapy group received 20
minute general body massage prior to wound cleaning once a day for 1 week.
Reported effects include decrease anxiety, decreased pulse rate, decreased levels of
cortisol, decreased pain, and improved mood.