The photograph above shows a superficial, partial thickness (second-degree) burn suffered when hot water was spilled onto this person's hand. Note the wet appearance of the wound and the pink dermis, which is alive. Such wounds typically heal without grafting in 7 to 10 days. Because this burn involved the hand, it technically met the criteria for referral to a burn center. However, video consultation with the burn surgeon was sufficient. The patient was instructed about wound care, and follow-up was performed at the burn center a few days later.
From: Vercruysse GA, Alam HB, Martin MJ, et al. Western Trauma Association critical decisions in trauma: Preferred triage and initial management of the burned patient. J Trauma Acute Care Surg 2019; 87:1239. DOI:
10.1097/TA.0000000000002348. Copyright © 2019 American Association for the Surgery of Trauma. Reproduced with permission from Wolters Kluwer Health. Unauthorized reproduction of this material is prohibited.
