<p>BURNS</p><p>-Skin is only about as thick as a paper towel -When damaged, nearly every body system reacts, though BURN: Tissue damage and cell death caused by intense heat, electricity, UV radiation (sunburn), or certain chemicals (acids)</p><p>-When skin is burned and cells are destroyed, two life threatening problems results</p><p>1. Body loses its precious supply of fluids containing proteins and electrolytes as these seep from burned surfaces -This can lead down to shutdown of kidneys and circulatory shock – inadequate circulation of blood caused by low blood volume (Fluids must be replaced immediately) To determine how much body surface is burned, use RULE OF NINES</p><p>RULE OF NINES: Divides body into 11 areas, each accounting for 9% of total body surface area, plus an additional area surrounding genitals representing 1%.</p><p>2. Infections becomes most important threat and is leading cause of death in burn victims (Burned skin is sterile for about 24 hours so this time frame is important)</p><p>BURN CLASSIFICATION</p><p>PARTIAL-THICKNESS BURNS – Regeneration possible 1ST DEGREE: Only the epidermis is damaged; area becomes red and swollen; normally heal in 2-3 days</p><p>2nd DEGREE: Involve injury to epidermis and upper region of dermis; skin is red & painful and blisters appear</p><p>FULL-THICKNESS BURNS – Regeneration not possible 3RD DEGREE BURNS: Destroy entire thickness of skin; burned area is red and blanched; not painful (WHY?)</p><p>BURNS ARE CONSIDERED CRITICAL IF: 1. Over 25% of body has 2nd degree burns 2. Over 10% has 3rd degree burns 3. Third degree burns of face, hands, and feet (WHY?) SKIN CANCER: -Most common type of cancer in humans -Most are benign and do not metastasize but overexposure to UV light could cause cancerous tumors</p><p>TYPES: 1. BASAL CELL CARCINOMA: Least malignant and most common skin cancer (Face) -Appear as shiny, dome-shaped nodules that later develop a central ulcer -Cells of stratum germanitivum are altered so can no longer produce keratin – this affects dermis and subcutaneous layer</p><p>2. SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA: Arise from Strat. Germ. but not those cells in contact with basement membrane -Lesion appears as scaly reddened papule (small, rounded elevation) -Scalp, ears, lower lip</p><p>3. MALIGNANT MELANOMA: Cancer of melanocytes -Appears as spreading brown or black patch -American Cancer Society suggests examining skin often and use ABCD RULE</p><p>(A) Assymetry: Two sides of pigmented mole don’t match (B) Border Irregularity: Borders of lesion aren’t smooth; have indentations (C) Color: Spot has diff. colors (D) Diameter: Spot larger than 6mm in diameter</p>