What are the causes of first-degree burns?

Burns can be caused by various external heat sources, such as flames, chemicals, friction, electricity, radiation, and high temperatures. Burns can also be classified as chemical burns, electrical burns, radiation burns, and thermal burns.

Electrical Burns: The passage of electric current through the body can cause systemic electrical injuries and localized electrical burns. The "entry" and "exit" points of the electric current on the body, with the entry point usually being more severe than the exit. The entry point often gets carbonized, forming cracks or cavities. Burns typically penetrate deep into muscles, tendons, and the perimeter of bones, with the damage often being greater internally than externally.

Chemical Burns: The severity of chemical burns is closely related to the nature of the chemical, its dosage, concentration, physical state (solid, liquid, gaseous), duration and area of contact, as well as the immediate emergency measures taken. The local damaging effects of chemicals mainly involve cellular dehydration and protein denaturation, with some chemicals producing heat that exacerbates burns. Some chemicals, once absorbed, can lead to poisoning.

Thermal Burns: Usually caused by high-temperature liquids (water or oil) or gaseous steam, often resulting from skin contact with hot water taps or hot drinks spilled on the skin, also known as immersion burns, which typically occur when limbs are immersed in hot water surfaces and are a cause of burns in child abuse cases abroad. The blisters that form on the skin's surface are filled with tissue fluid, which is the skin's reaction to heat.