Facial Burns

Facial burns contribute significantly to the loss of function of facial muscles, to corneal ulceration and to distorting features depending on the degree of burn. Facial burns, like any other burn type, are classified into first, second, third and fourth degree burns depending on the severity or depth of the burn and the facial areas involved. First degree burns affect the epidermis, which is the upper layer of the skin, causing redness without blistering. Second degree burns are associated with painful blisters and involve deeper layers of the skin. Second degree burns can heal in 3 weeks. Third degree burns usually involve significant scarring and fourth degree burns are extremely deep and are associated with muscle and bone injury After the burn, the affected facial area usually swells due to its rich blood supply. Facial swelling normally subsides in approximately 48 to72 hours after the burn. As such, initial management of first and second degree burns involves cooling the area with running water for 20 minutes, irrigating chemical burns with copious volumes of water and irrigating the eye with copious volumes of water or normal saline. It is essential to avoid hypothermia of the burnt areas by avoiding any ice applications. Additionally, gel burn products are not recommended as a first aid measure. Handling Facial Burns at an Emergency Setting: Marlene Shehata, Fady Youssef and Alan Pater

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Last date updated on April, 2024