Contact injuries to the skin and deeper tissues caused by exposure to flames, hot liquids or solids, radiant heat, caustic chemicals, electricity or electromagnetic (nuclear) radiation.

Every year, in the United States, approximately two million people suffer serious burns; of that total, 115,000 are hospitalized and 12,000 die. Children are most commonly burned by scalding liquids in the kitchen or bathroom. Fire is the second most common cause of burns.

Burns are classified as first, second, or third-degree according to their severity.

• First-degree burns damage only the outer layer of skin (epidermis); they cause redness, mild swelling, and stinging pain.
• Second-degree burns affect the second skin layer (dermis); they are more painful and are marked by the appearance of blisters.
• Third-degree burns destroy both the epidermis and dermis and may also damage underlying tissue; the skin appears charred or white and lifeless and may be insensitive to pinprick. Third-degree burns...