Difference Between Burns and Scalds: Understanding the Key Differences and Treatment Options

Introduction

Many people know the impact and consequences of the types of burns, including first, second, and third-degree burns. People acknowledge that they can have a significant impact on the human body. However, people are still determining what scalding will cause. The recognition and prevention of scalding should be more spotlighted on the burns. Learning the difference between such injuries can help one recognize if the pain or discomfort one and their loved ones are experiencing is a scald or a burn. This can also help one decide the treatment strategies and develop the appropriate preventive measures for both injuries.

What Is Meant by Burn?

Burns are generally referred to as a complex form of skin injury. A burn is also described as the detriment or damage to the skin cells and tissues attributed to fire, electricity, chemicals, heat, radiation, friction, or light. The burns can usually occur at the superficial or the deep skin layer. However, damage to the muscle and fat within the skin tissue could result if the degree of burn is severe. The burns can sometimes reach the bone, accessing the skin and muscle layer if the burn is deep enough.

What Is Meant by Scald?

Scalding is a thermal burn resulting from heat fluids, including boiling water and steam. Scalds, in most cases, occur due to exposure to heightened water temperatures like tap water in showers, cooking hot water, water heaters, or spilled hot drinks. Scalds most commonly occur in children, particularly from the accidental or unintentional spilling of hot liquids.

What Is the Difference Between Burns and Scalds?

Scalds might generally damage only the layers of skin tissue, while burns could cause substantial and major injuries to the deep tissue. Hence, superficial, mild, and first-degree burns are known to be associated with scalds. However, scalds can be as fatal as third-degree burns and even death if considered severe enough.

Scalding usually occurs when a portion of the skin is exposed to steam air hot fluid. The effect of scald injury can also be distressing. The impact of scalding might require skin grafting and cause fatal consequences when not addressed earlier. Burn injuries from tap water result in about 1,500 people annually in the United States. Also, the reports say that around 100 deaths occur from such hospital admissions.

The following attributable factors determine the variance between the scalding injury being a minor burn or fatal.

• Temperature of substance.

• Nature of the substance.

• Scald location.

• Sustained exposure to the substance (hot fluid).

• Extend of the skin tissue scalded.

Burns can occur generally in adults and elderly people. Also, individuals of all age groups can be scalded. Nevertheless, the three age groups more likely to get scald injuries are younger children, elderly people, and those with disabilities. These age groups might be unable to express or comprehend that the water is so hot. Also, the mobility problem in these three age groups might obstruct them from moving themselves from the dangers associated with burn or scalding.

Therefore, burns and scalds are injuries resulting from exposure to different heat sources, each presenting distinct characteristics. Burns can occur from flames, hot surfaces, electricity, chemicals, or radiation, causing damage to the skin cells and tissues. They are categorized based on severity, ranging from superficial redness (first-degree burns) to more extensive tissue damage (third-degree burns). Scalds, on the other hand, specifically arise from contact with hot liquids or steam, transferring heat upon contact with the skin. Whether from hot water, beverages, or steam, scalds share common symptoms with burns, including redness, pain, swelling, and blistering. The key difference lies in the origin of the heat. Both burns and scalds necessitate appropriate first aid measures and medical attention, emphasizing the importance of understanding the unique characteristics of these injuries for effective management.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Burns and Scalds?

Burns and scalds can cause discomfort and pain ranging from mild to extremely severe degrees, depending upon the layer of tissue involved.

The associated symptoms include:

• Blisters.

• Swelling.

• Redness of skin.

• Peeling skin.

• White or charred skin tissue.

The intensity of pain one feels is not always linked to the site and severity of the burns. The most severe form of burn can sometimes be painless.

What Is the Treatment of Burns and Scalds?

Here are the first aid measures for any burn or scald.

• One must abruptly get the individual away from the source of heat. This is to stop the further degrees of burning.

• Cool the burn area with lukewarm or running water for 20 to 30 minutes.

• It is crucial not to use ice, chill water, creams, and greasy items like butter to cool the burn areas.

• Layer adhesive film over the burn after cooking the burns or scalds to cover the skin. One can also use a clean plastic bag to cover the burn.

• One can use over-the-counter medications like Ibuprofen and Paracetamol to treat the pain associated with burns or scalds.

• Keep the affected area raised to a lesser extent. This helps reduce the degrees of swelling by promoting blood circulation.

In case of any chemical or acid-related burn, seek out the emergency helpline or medical service at the earliest. Moreover, remove the chemical and contaminated clothing conscientiously, rinsing the affected skin with water.

How to Prevent Burns and Scalds?

Severe burns and scalds might affect younger children and infants. Here are some measures that reduce the likelihood of children having severe problems.

• Keep the children out of the kitchen and utility service area.

• Test the temperature of the bath water before putting the baby in the bathtub or shower.

• Keep the lighters, matches, and candles out of the sight and reach of children.

• Also, keep the hot drinks away from the reach of younger children.

Conclusion

The primary difference between the scalds and burns lies in the source of the heat or the injury. Burns always result from dry heat, while scalds result from injury from hot fluids or steam. Moreover, both the injuries vary significantly in severity and require appropriate first aid and medical care based on the extent and depth.