Burns can occur from a mistake as simple as brushing against a hot pan that’s been in an oven or being exposed to a fire. This type of injury is incredibly painful and takes time to heal. With proper care, there are ways to cope with the pain and each type of burn will heal differently. Learn more about the top four types of burns, go-to tips on what to do if you sustain a burn injury, and using premier physical therapy in Lusk and all other locations to treat the situation.

Four Types of Burns

The four types of burns are first-, second-, third- and fourth degree. Each type of burn depends on how badly the skin is affected by the burn. First-degree burns only affect the outer part of your skin. While painful, they usually only make the outside of your skin red and are irritable for a few days. Once a burn penetrates a layer into your skin, it becomes a second-degree burn. Signs of this burn include a blistering of the skin and swelling. Third-degree burns occur in extreme situations, including being exposed to fire, extremely hot liquids, or chemicals. In this case, the skin can turn a variety of colors such as white, yellow, brown, or even black. The area swells and becomes extremely dry. In some cases, the damage of a burn can be so severe so quickly that a person may not even feel pain because nerve endings become damaged. A fourth-degree burn is when a burn is so severe that it damages muscles and bones.

What to Do If You Get a Burn

Upon getting a minor burn, immediately submerge the area in cool water for up to 15 minutes. If the area blisters, be careful to not break them. If they break on their own, gently wash the area, use an antibiotic cream and use a gauze to cover it to allow it to heal. For third-degree or fourth-degree burns, it is important to call 911 or go to an immediate care or emergency room as quickly as you can. With either of these serious burns, you may have trouble breathing, or if you were in a fire, carbon monoxide and other toxic fumes may have been inhaled. Do not be afraid to call for help and have an ambulance come to you to avoid putting others in danger by trying to get to a nearby hospital. By exploring WebMD’s thermal burns treatment, you can learn more about different types of burn and what you may experience, or how to help others.

Local physical therapy is essential for a recovery from serious burns. Your physical therapist will help properly dress burns and work with you to help increase your range of motion as you recover. When working with them, the quality of the areas affected will heal quicker and will also help to reduce scarring.

If you have sustained a serious burn injury, North Platte Physical Therapy’s wound and burn care services will help you make a recovery. Contact us today to learn how we can help you or your loved one.