Chemical, thermal, sunburn of the skin of the feet: degrees, first aid, how to treat

A burn is an open skin lesion caused by external factors. A burn can occur on any area of the skin, including the leg.

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Causes foot burn

The main factors that provoke a foot burn are the following:

• Thermal – open fire, contact with hot objects or hot liquids, friction.
• Electric – an arc arising from high-voltage current, low-voltage currents in electrical appliances, lightning discharge.
• Cold – severe frost, contact with metal objects in severe frost, contact with cold gases (liquid oxygen).
• Chemical – household chemicals (bleaches, acid, alkali, etc.)
• Radiation burns – burns caused by prolonged exposure to the sun; prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays; exposure to radioactive radiation.

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Risk factors

Factors that contribute to the occurrence of leg burns are:

• Childhood.
• Lack of supervision of children.
• Low socio-economic culture.
• Bad habits (smoking, alcohol or drug addiction).
• Quality, age of residential or office premises.
• Faulty electrical appliances.
• Presence of open fire sources.
• Work in hot shops, welding work, production related to food preparation, construction work, etc.
• Use of water with a temperature above 50 degrees.

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Pathogenesis

Pain impulses in burns lead to a change in the regulatory function of the nervous system with a change in the activity of the respiratory and vascular systems. The consequence of which is a decrease in vascular tone, a decrease in capillary permeability with a decrease in plasma volume, blood thickening, hypoproteinemia, and hypochloremia.

Denatured protein enters the bloodstream, leading to intoxication of the body. Then purulent poisoning of the body develops, caused by pathogenic microflora with the accumulation of toxins.

In patients with severe lesions, all types of metabolic processes are disrupted, leading to the development of hypoproteinemia, azotemia, hyperkalemia, and disruption of the acid-base balance.

General manifestations depend on the area of the lesion. With burns up to 10% of the lesion, only local manifestations occur, with a short-term reaction of the body - pain in the affected area, hyperthermia, cephalgia, leukocytosis, deterioration of health.

If the burn surface covers an area of up to 30% of the body surface, quite severe manifestations of burn disease may occur.

In percentage terms, burn damage to both legs of an adult is equivalent to 38% of the entire body.

If the burn is superficial and covers an area of > 10% of the human body in adults and 5% in children, and in case of deep lesions from 5% in adults and up to 2.5% in children, after providing first aid, mandatory medical assistance with subsequent hospitalization is required. Such burn injuries lead to a deterioration in the general condition, pose a threat to the patient's life and may require surgical intervention.

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Symptoms foot burn

The first symptom of a burn is severe pain and swelling in the affected area. Depending on the agent that caused the burn, blisters or erosive, ulcerative lesions are formed. In severe cases, tissue necrosis occurs. Burns are divided into deep and superficial. The course of burn disease is closely related to the area and depth of tissue damage. Today, it is customary to classify burns based on pathological changes in the affected tissues.

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Stages

Burns of the legs, as well as other parts of the body, are divided into the following degrees:

• First degree leg burn. The first degree of injury is characterized by redness and swelling of the area of contact with the substance or object that caused the burn. Small blisters containing liquid may be present.
• Second degree burn of the leg. Characteristic signs are redness, swelling, blisters of various sizes that burst, dry crusts (scab) on the ulcerated surface.
• 3rd degree leg burn. Signs of 1st and 2nd degree may be present at the same time. The characteristic sign is a deep lesion affecting the skin, muscle fibers and bones with the formation of a scab. Burns of this category are divided into 3-a and 3-b degrees.
• 3rd degree - serious damage to the skin, but not throughout its entire thickness. The deep layers of the skin, sweat and sebaceous glands, and hair follicles retain their viability.
• 3-b degree - necrosis of the skin with the formation of a necrotic scab.
• A fourth-degree burn of the leg is considered the most severe of burns, accompanied not only by the death of the skin, but also by the necrosis of muscle fibers, tendons and bones.

Taking into account the peculiarities of treatment of leg burns, they are divided into two groups:

• the first includes light superficial burns of the 3rd degree, the characteristic feature of which is the death of the upper layers of the skin. These burns can be treated with conservative methods;
• The second group includes 3-B and 4 degree burns, the treatment of which is impossible without surgical methods.

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Forms

The type of burn directly depends on the cause that provoked its appearance.

Thermal burns of the legs are caused by contact with various heat sources - hot liquids, flames, steam, hot objects.

According to statistics, flame burns rank first.

The cause of sunburn of the leg is ultraviolet radiation of long and medium waves (type A or B). In the affected area there is: itching, redness, swelling, blisters of different sizes, skin infection.

Signs of such a burn can appear within half an hour. Typical symptoms develop within the first day. Secondary infection of the affected surface occurs, accompanied by pain. Itching appears a few days after the lesion, and peeling begins after 4-6 days.

A burn on the leg from boiling water is a type of thermal burn. The degree of damage depends on the location. A burn on the foot will heal faster than a burn on the thigh. A burn on the thigh is more dangerous because the damage will be deeper even with short-term exposure to hot water. If less than 3 hours have passed since the burn, the burned leg should be held under a stream of cool water (do not apply ice).

Leg burn by fire. Thermal burns of the extremities occur due to careless handling of open fire, contact with hot objects, or when extinguishing a fire without special clothing. If a leg burn occurs as a result of contact with open fire, it is necessary to first extinguish the flame, carefully free the patient from the remains of clothing, but do not remove the flaps of fabric from the wound surface. Deliver the victim to a medical facility as soon as possible if he has deep tissue damage or an extensive wound surface.

A burn from welding on the leg can be obtained with any type of welding (gas or electric arc), due to the fact that they all emit heat. During welding, a person is exposed to other types of radiation (infrared, ultraviolet).

Professional welders know what happens when safety rules are not followed. There are circumstances when even professionals can get burns. If the work is performed by amateur welders, they often neglect protective equipment and wear only a protective mask. It should be noted that during these works, not only the eye area is damaged, but also other parts of the body.

Burns resulting from welding work may be of the following origin: thermal, light, chemical or complex. Any part of the body not protected by special clothing may be injured during welding work.

Chemical burn of the leg. If the burn is caused by contact with an acidic or alkaline solution, a scab will appear in the affected area. It will be soft and loose, whitish in color, and not distinguished by its borders against the background of healthy tissue. When acid comes into contact with the skin, the burn will be superficial, and when alkalis come into contact, it will be deeper.

When exposed to acids of different chemical compositions, the affected areas are colored differently. Based on this, it is possible to determine which acid caused the burn: nitric acid produces a yellowish-green, brownish-yellow color; acetic acid - dirty brown; hydrochloric acid - yellowish; concentrated hydrogen peroxide - gray; when in contact with carbolic acid, the damaged area first turns white and then brown. In the case of a chemical burn of the legs, it is important to note that even when the provoking agent is eliminated, the body continues to absorb toxic substances for some time. Given the above, it is impossible to accurately determine the danger of a burn during the first hours. It is possible to correctly diagnose the severity of the lesion and establish an accurate diagnosis within a week. After this time, a characteristic sign of a chemical burn will be suppuration of the crust. The severity of the burn is associated with the vastness of the lesion surface and its penetration into the underlying tissues. The deeper and larger the affected area, the more dangerous the burn is for human health. First aid for a chemical burn consists of washing the affected area with cool running water for half an hour. The exception is chemical burns with quicklime and/or aluminum compounds. In these cases, contact with water is avoided.

Gasoline burn of the leg. According to statistics, in 50% of cases, burns received by people are caused by exposure to flames of a fairly high temperature. This is a campfire, a stove flame, careless handling of a torch during a fire, ignition of gasoline or its vapors. A gasoline burn of the leg occurs when a container with a flammable liquid is accidentally knocked over near open sources of fire. In this situation, it is necessary to quickly extinguish the flame. In no case should you run quickly, because the flame will flare up stronger. It is necessary to pour water on the burning area. If there is no water, you can cover the limb with a thick cloth or blanket to block the access of oxygen to the fire. The degree of the burn depends on the speed of first aid. If it is a I-II degree burn, you should wash the affected area with water for 20 minutes and make a sterile, loose bandage. In case of a severe burn, the victim should be taken to the hospital.

Concrete burns on feet. When preparing and working with concrete mixtures containing chemicals, safety precautions and anti-burn precautions should be observed, and poisoning should be prevented. Do not allow people with skin damage (abrasions, scratches, irritations) to work in order to avoid complications with these lesions and burns. Some novice builders work barefoot. This is strictly prohibited, because concrete mixtures may contain lime and alkaline additives that can cause severe burns to the feet. Therefore, when preparing concrete mixtures or laying concrete, workers must wear special clothing, protective glasses and rubber boots.

Leg burn with grass. Quite often, when relaxing in the forest, park, or summer cottage, you can come across a plant such as nettle. It differs from other grasses and weeds in that it has the ability to cause burns to legs, arms, and other parts of the body not protected by clothing or shoes.

A nettle burn causes unpleasant sensations, and in people with increased sensitivity, allergic reactions. There are about 45 species of this herbaceous plant. The distribution area of nettle is latitudes with a moderate warm climate. It is also called zhaluga, strekanka, kostarka.

The sting of this plant occurs because the nettle contains stinging cells in its structure, which contain knedocili (special hard bristles). Touching them causes the cell to explode and the coiled stinging threads straighten out and hit the victim, injecting a poisonous substance. The upper part of such a cell contains silicon salts, and inside there is formic acid, choline and histamine. It is when these substances penetrate the human body that a sharp burning sensation occurs.

To help a victim of a nettle burn, it is necessary to cool the burn site using cool water or ice. Then lubricate with cooling ointments (Fenistil, Psilobalsam). If an allergic reaction occurs, it is necessary to take antihistamines Zodak, Loratadine, etc. according to the instructions. If severe allergic reactions occur (for example, Quincke's edema), you should immediately go to the nearest hospital.

Another plant that can cause burns to the leg and other parts of the body is hogweed. There are about 70 species of this plant of the umbelliferous family. It grows along the banks of rivers, roads, and wastelands. All parts of the plant are poisonous. Unlike nettle, which causes immediate burns upon contact, the body's reaction to the toxic substance furocamarin contained in hogweed does not occur immediately, but after about a day. The area of the body affected by the burn can be quite large with ulcerated areas. Severe burning appears only after sunlight hits the areas of the body that have come into contact with the plant's juice. A corresponding photochemical reaction occurs, provoking an allergy.

To provide first aid before the doctor arrives in such a situation, it is necessary:

• wash the affected area with soap and water;
• disinfect with alcohol or a weak solution of potassium permanganate, furacilin;
• lubricate with panthenol;
• give the victim an antihistamine;
• Do not expose burned skin to sunlight.

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Complications and consequences

Burns of varying degrees can cause complications. Superficial burns are mild, heal quickly within one to three weeks, and have little effect on overall health. Burn disease is most severe if deep tissues are injured. Tissue damage of more than 10% in adults and 5% in the elderly and children is accompanied by changes in the functioning of the body. Severe pain and a large burn area lead to overexertion, exhaustion of the nervous system, which affects the functioning of systems such as the cardiovascular, immune, hemodynamic, etc. Patients experience disturbances in oxidation-reduction and metabolic processes.

During the course of burn disease, the following stages are distinguished: shock (severe disruption of body functions), toxemia (blood poisoning), septicotoxemia (wound suppuration), and convalescence (recovery).

The shock stage is the body's reaction to an intense pain stimulus, leading to disruption of hemodynamic processes, the functioning of the nervous system, and metabolism in the patient's body. This period manifests itself in burns, the area of which occupies > 10-15% of the surface of the entire body. The duration of this stage is 1-4 days.

Burn toxemia. Appears on the 2nd or 3rd day after injury and lasts 7-8 days. This period is characterized by severe intoxication due to toxic substances coming from decomposing burnt tissues, bacterial toxins, and protein breakdown products. The severity of this period is affected by the nature of tissue damage (dry necrosis is easier, while wet necrosis is more severe due to intense wound suppuration). The end of this stage coincides with the appearance of suppuration in the wound.

Septicotoxemia period. Its onset is considered to be the 10th-12th day of the disease. This period is characterized by: development of infectious and putrefactive lesions in the wound surface, absorption of microorganism toxins and decay products of dead tissue into the bloodstream. The burn wound surface can be infected by: the patient's skin and clothing, hospital-acquired infection.

The recovery stage, like the above-described periods, does not have a precise time frame. Skin convalescence, normalization of mobility and performance of the lower extremities serve as the beginning of the recovery stage.

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Diagnostics foot burn

Diagnostic measures for a leg burn include a visual examination and a detailed anamnesis.

During a conversation with the patient, it is necessary to establish the type and duration of contact with the agent causing the burn, take into account the reasons that can increase or decrease the strength of the reaction, the age and gender of the patient.

During the examination, the doctor pays attention to: the color of the skin; the presence and type of edema; the nature of the blisters; impaired blood flow; the presence of dead tissue and its condition.

Some of these features are determined visually, others by the results of diagnostic tests.

Pain sensitivity is assessed by: needle pricks, touching the wound surface with cotton or gauze swabs soaked in alcohol solution, and pulling out hairs. The examination takes into account the patient's level of consciousness and the possibility of decreased sensitivity due to the use of anesthetic drugs.

To determine the area of damage, specialists use various methods:

• Rules: "nines" and "palms";
• Methods – Dolinin, Land and Browder, Ariev, Vilyavin’s Scheme.

The depth of damage depends significantly on the temperature of the agent that caused the burn and its exposure.

Instrumental methods are widely used to diagnose leg burns:

• Needle pricks. The affected areas of the skin are touched alternately with the blunt and sharp ends of the injection needle to determine whether the patient feels a difference in touch. If the leg burn is of the 2nd degree, sensitivity will be increased (when touched with the blunt part of the needle, the patient will experience pain). If the lesion is of the 3rd degree, sensitivity will be decreased. With a deep skin burn, there is a greater expression of sensitivity disorders, pricks on the entire thickness of the skin do not cause pain.
• Using dyes. To determine the depth of the lesion, a special agent is applied to the wound. In this case, the places of the burn of the 1st and 2nd degrees are colored pinkish, if the lesion is deep, the color becomes yellow. With a 3rd degree lesion, intermediate shades of coloring are obtained.
• Scintigraphic method. Its principle is similar to the one described above, but radioactive isotopes are used instead of dyes.
• Impedancemetry (registration of alternating current resistance of different frequencies and fixation of the polarization coefficient). In the presence of destructive phenomena in tissues, the polarization coefficient decreases, which allows determining the depth of damage.
• Thermography, performed using a thermal imager, makes it possible to distinguish between deep and superficial burns.
• IR probing is based on obtaining and recording the reflected light flux of the infrared spectrum and makes it possible to differentiate the depth of the burn.

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Differential diagnosis

Burn damage to the skin must be differentiated from other diseases, and the degree of the burn must be accurately determined, because the treatment tactics depend on this.

Diagnosing 3rd and 3rd degree burns is quite difficult and becomes possible at a later stage, namely, when the rejection of dead tissue occurs.

It is quite difficult to carry out an accurate differential diagnosis of deep burns in the initial stages; it is of a presumptive nature.

Differential diagnostics should be based on the assessment of local clinical manifestations. The origin of the agent and the conditions in which the burn was sustained should be taken into account. The absence of a pain response to needle pricks, epilation test, disappearance of vasamotion after brief finger pressure, etc. indicate that the burn is at least grade 3b. If a pattern of thrombosed subcutaneous veins is visible under a dry scab, then the lesion is deep (grade 4).

In chemical burns, the wound contours are clear and streaks often form. The appearance of the burn depends on the type of chemical.

Red spot on leg looks like a burn

If red spots are found on the lower extremities, it is necessary to determine the cause of their occurrence in order not to miss the onset of a serious disease.

The spots can be located in different places - on the shins, knees, thighs, etc.

The outlines and sizes may vary. Sometimes round spots appear, occupying a large area, and sometimes a small rash appears. The borders of the neoplasms can be either blurred or clearly defined, convex, smooth, flat.

Colour: from pinkish to crimson.

Itching and/or burning are of concern.

The body temperature is elevated, chills or fever appear.

Deterioration of general condition.

The causes of the formation of red spots on one or both limbs can be:

• allergic reactions,
• viral diseases,
• fungal infections,
• blood flow problems,
• irritation due to mechanical and chemical influences,
• diabetes mellitus,
• hemangioma.

If a red spot (or spots) similar to a burn may form on one or both legs, it is quite possible that this is a benign neoplasm. Hemangioma does not cause itching or discomfort. It is formed due to the intertwining of blood vessels and, in addition to aesthetic problems, does not cause harm to the human body.

Treatment foot burn

The outcome of a leg burn depends on the adequacy of medical tactics throughout the entire period of the disease.

For first-degree burns, it is enough to cool the affected area and disinfect it (Iodinol, Panthenol). Recovery occurs in 3-5 days.

For second-degree burns, the wound is treated with analgesics (promedol, etc.). The wounds heal within two weeks.

Patients with 3rd and 4th degree burns require hospital treatment. All victims with deep extensive burns require infusion-transfusion therapy. Ringer's solution, plasma, hemodez, etc. are used to conduct anti-shock treatment and cleanse the body. In case of burn shock, drugs are administered that act to relieve pain and prevent oxygen deficiency. Antibiotics are used for treatment. Surgical procedures may be performed if indicated.

Help for a Burnt Leg

In case of a leg burn, the sequence of first aid is as follows:

• it is necessary to create conditions that stop the access of the agent that caused the burn (extinguishing the flame, freeing the victim from the effects of the current, etc.);
• remove any pieces of clothing that are outside the burn wound;
• clarify the circumstances under which the leg burn was sustained
• For all burns, except chemical ones (caused by lime or alkali), it is necessary to hold the injured limb under cool water (10-20 minutes), then apply a dry sterile bandage;
• in case of burns to the legs with a large area of damage, it is necessary to immobilize the limb with a splint or improvised means;
• in case of burns covering a large area, burn shock may occur. In this situation, it is recommended to give the victim plenty of fluids (water, tea, fruit drink, etc.). A large amount of liquid will help relieve intoxication that occurs when toxins that occur during the breakdown of skin, muscles, and cellulose enter the bloodstream.
• severe pain can be relieved by using analgesics (analgin, ibuprofen, nurofen, paracetamol, etc.);
• In case of deep and extensive burns of the legs, it is necessary to call an ambulance; if this is not possible, then take the victim to the nearest hospital by any means of transport.

Antibiotics for a Burnt Leg

In case of burns to the legs, in order to prevent the spread of infection through the bloodstream throughout the body, treatment with antibiotics is carried out.

To prevent complications caused by bacterial infection, patients are treated at the stage of burn shock, toxemia, septicotoxemia. At these stages, medications are used that have both local and systemic effects.

Antibiotics are selected taking into account the characteristics of the patient's body and the processes occurring in the affected area. The most commonly used agents are those containing silver sulfadiazine, applications or dressings with a 1% iodovidone solution, aquasept, gels and ointments containing chloramphenicol. The selection of antibacterial therapy agents that have a systemic effect is carried out strictly individually and in most cases is recommended for patients with deep lesions and an area of 10% of the body surface. If the consequences of the infection are mild, then intramuscular injections of antibiotics are used, and in severe cases, intravenous infusions are used.

In case of damage to bone tissue, doctors recommend using lincomycin. During treatment of leg burns, putrefactive infection may be detected. Metronidazole is used to eliminate it. Mycotic microflora may also be detected. Nystatin or fluconazole is prescribed to combat fungal infection.

An infectious process that appears in a wound can cause serious complications:

• systemic inflammatory reaction when foreign microorganisms enter the blood (sepsis);
• purulent inflammation of the joint;
• lymphadenitis;
• lymphangitis;
• inflammation of the urinary tract.

In the fight against the spread of infection in leg burns, the main place is given to antibacterial treatment, which involves weekly microbiological monitoring. Severe progression of the disease requires the use of combined antibiotic therapy with the simultaneous prescription of 2 or 3 drugs.

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Vitamins

Taking vitamins of groups A, B, C, B is recommended for foot burns.

Vitamin E promotes skin healing without scarring. In addition to internal use, it can be applied directly to the wound after cooling the burnt surface. An oil solution of vitamin E should be applied to the burnt surface. Dosage: children - 100-300 units, adults 200-800 units. This amount of vitamin is recommended for daily use until the recovery stage.

Vitamin A is necessary for the absorption of vitamin E. Recommended doses are 25,000-50,000 U per day.

Vitamin C. To relieve stress, reduce infection and stimulate the restoration of damaged tissue, it is recommended to take 100-1000 mg of vitamin C.

B vitamins have a calming effect. The daily norm is 10-50 mg B, B2 and B6.

Physiotherapy treatment

Physiotherapeutic methods are included in the complex of therapeutic measures for burns of the legs. Physiotherapeutic impact makes it possible to:

• inhibit the vital activity of microorganisms;
• accelerate the process of restoration of epithelial tissues;
• increase blood flow at the site of impact;
• to prevent post-burn scars;
• stimulate the immune system.

UV irradiation is used for first- and second-degree burns of the legs.

• Diadynamic currents. These procedures are used for pain relief.
• Electric light baths in combination with aeroionization by negatively charged particles are recommended during open therapy.
• Paraffin-oil wraps promote rapid tissue regeneration. Take one part of cottonseed oil or fish oil and three parts of paraffin. Apply the heated mixture to the burn wound. Then cover with gauze and bandage. Leave for several days. The procedure promotes rapid wound healing due to the thermal and compression effects.
• UZT (ultrasound therapy). Used to increase the body's resistance and to dissolve post-burn scars.
• IR irradiation stimulates blood circulation by creating a thermal effect. This therapy reduces inflammation and promotes tissue regeneration.
• Radon and hydrogen sulphide baths are used to dissolve scars and contractures.
• Massage. In the acute stage, segmental-reflex massage is recommended, which has an analgesic effect, relieves swelling, and reduces tissue acidosis. Massage of a burn wound is recommended during the period of scar formation. After oil-paraffin baths or applications, rubbing, stroking, stretching, sawing, and shading are used. The duration of the procedure is from 5 to 20 minutes. Frequency - every day or every other day.
• Shower massage improves blood and lymph flow, increases immunity, has a tonic effect, reduces pain, which is necessary during the recovery period of a burn injury.

Folk remedies

Folk remedies are especially effective for thermal household burns. In order for such a burn to heal faster and not leave marks on the skin, timely adequate assistance is necessary.

For mild thermal burns, potato starch can be used. Apply a thick layer of starch to the affected area, cover with cotton wool and bandage loosely.

Fresh cabbage leaves are effective for burns of the feet from boiling water. Apply them to the damaged area and bandage it to the limb. The pain will gradually go away.

Folk remedies help not only in reducing pain. They are also effective in that they prevent swelling and blisters from developing. To prevent blisters, apply a thick layer of toothpaste to the burned skin three times a day for 60 minutes. In addition to toothpaste, tooth powder diluted with water to a creamy state is also suitable. If the burn on the leg was small, the result will be noticeable after the first application.

Grated raw potatoes are effective for burns to the foot caused by boiling water. Apply the gruel to the affected area and secure with a bandage. Change when the mass is heated.

Propolis and St. John's wort have a positive effect on shallow burns of the feet. Cool propolis (20 g) until solid and crush, pour 1 tbsp. 96% medical alcohol. Infuse for 10 days, shaking daily. Strain after the process is complete. Pour 2 tbsp. sunflower oil (unrefined) 4 tbsp. St. John's wort flowers. Leave the mixture in the sun for two weeks, remembering to stir the mixture. Combine propolis tincture with St. John's wort oil. Apply the product to a sterile cotton cloth, secure with a bandage. Change the bandage after 4 hours.

An effective remedy for burnt feet is onions with dandelion flowers. Finely chop a medium onion, add 20 pcs. dandelion flowers. Pour unrefined sunflower oil over the mixture. Boil for 20 minutes at a low boil and strain. Store the resulting remedy in the refrigerator. Apply to damaged areas every hour.

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Homeopathy

For burns on the feet, homeopathic doctors recommend effective preparations based on herbal ingredients such as:

• Arnica 30 and Aconite 30 Complex. Provides the greatest effect on first-degree burns.
• The complex Arnica 30, Aconite 30, Cantharis 30 promotes rapid healing of second-degree burns and blisters.
• Opium 1M is suggested for use if the patient is in shock and is not sensitive to pain.
• Sulfuricum acidum 30 is an excellent remedy for burns from household chemicals.

Surgical treatment

In case of severe deep burns of the legs, the following types of operations can be used as part of the therapy:

• necrotomy;
• necrectomy;
• limb amputation;
• skin grafting.

Necrotomy is the excision of the resulting scab in case of deep damage. Necrotomy is performed urgently to restore the blood supply to the tissues. Such intervention makes it possible to thoroughly clean the wound and minimize the risk of suppuration, which will subsequently help speed up recovery.

Necrectomy. This intervention is performed in several stages for extensive and deep burn wounds. It is a gentle method, because the tissues that have lost their viability are removed over several operations.

Amputation of the limb is an extreme method of treating severe leg burns. It is recommended if a positive therapeutic effect has not been achieved using other methods or necrosis with irreversible changes in tissues has begun.

The described types of interventions are the first stage of surgical treatment. After that, they move on to the next stage - skin transplantation.

Skin transplantation is necessary to close wounds that have a large area. The most common procedure is autoplasty - transplantation of the patient's own skin flap from other parts of the body.

Skin transplantation is necessary to close a large wound. Most often, autoplasty is performed, i.e. the patient's own skin is transplanted from other parts of the body. In the modern world, the following transplantation methods have become widespread:

• plastic surgery with adjacent tissues, which is suitable for deep burn wounds of small size. In this case, small areas of skin are taken from adjacent healthy areas and used to cover the wound surface;
• Free skin plastic surgery is performed for large wounds. Using special equipment, a flap of skin is excised from a healthy part of the patient's body (abdomen, buttock) and the damaged area is covered with it.

Prevention

Preventive measures for burns on the feet include the following:

• compliance with safety rules with fire sources, caution when preparing food, with household appliances containing hot water;
• use of properly functioning electrical appliances, electrical wiring, and do not allow young children to play with electricity;
• in order to prevent injuries at work, it is necessary to strictly follow safety rules when working with flammable, hot, chemical substances, electrical appliances, etc.;
• storing chemicals in tightly closed containers in special rooms; household chemicals should be stored in places inaccessible to children.

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Forecast

The prognosis of the outcome of a burn injury depends on the timeliness of pre-hospital and medical care, treatment tactics, the presence of concomitant diseases, and the body's immune forces. A comprehensive assessment of the patient's condition with a leg burn will allow for adequate treatment to be prescribed, and the risk of complications to be prevented or reduced. The favorableness of the prognosis depends on the area and depth of the leg burn. The smaller the area and depth of the lesion, the faster the patient will be able to return to normal life.