Condition Lookup

First-degree burns (superficial)

Category: Burns and Thermal Injuries

Symptoms:
redness; pain; swelling; dry skin; peeling after a few days

Root Cause:
The epidermis (outer layer of skin) is damaged by heat, UV radiation, or chemicals, leading to inflammation and pain.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosis is typically based on clinical examination, considering the burn depth and appearance.

Treatment:
Cool the burn with running cold water for 10–15 minutes, apply moisturizing lotion, and over-the-counter pain relievers. Usually, no medical intervention is necessary unless symptoms worsen.

Medications:
Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen , which are non-prescription analgesics (pain relievers) and anti-inflammatory drugs.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
First-degree burns are the most common type of burn injury, particularly in everyday accidents such as sunburns.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Prolonged sun exposure, contact with hot surfaces or liquids, exposure to chemicals or flames.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Heals within 3 to 5 days with no scarring, although temporary redness and discomfort may persist.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Rare, but can include infection if the skin becomes broken or if proper wound care is not followed.

Second-degree burns (partial-thickness)

Specialty: Trauma and Injuries

Category: Burns and Thermal Injuries

Sub-category: Burn Classifications

Symptoms:
blistering; severe pain; red or white skin; swelling; wet or weeping skin

Root Cause:
The epidermis and part of the dermis (second layer of skin) are damaged, causing fluid leakage and blistering.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosis is made through clinical examination, with attention to blister formation and the depth of the burn.

Treatment:
Immediate cooling of the burn, wound cleaning, sterile dressing, pain management, and in some cases, topical antibiotics to prevent infection.

Medications:
Pain management with oral analgesics such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen , topical antibiotics like silver sulfadiazine (a cream used for burn wounds), and sometimes opioid analgesics for severe pain. Silver sulfadiazine is classified as a topical antibiotic.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Second-degree burns are common in cases of scalding, flash burns, and accidents involving hot objects.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Exposure to hot liquids, flames, chemicals, and electrical burns.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Healing typically occurs in 2 to 3 weeks, but scarring and pigment changes can result. Complications like infection can prolong healing.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Infection, scarring, and fluid loss, particularly if large areas are affected. Hypertrophic scarring or keloid formation is possible.

Third-degree burns (full-thickness)

Specialty: Trauma and Injuries

Category: Burns and Thermal Injuries

Sub-category: Burn Classifications

Symptoms:
charred or white skin; no pain at the burn site (due to nerve damage); severe swelling; blisters that may not form or break open

Root Cause:
Both the epidermis and dermis are completely destroyed, and underlying tissues like fat, muscle, and bone may be affected, leading to irreversible damage.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosis is made through physical examination, often supported by imaging in cases where deeper structures are involved.

Treatment:
Emergency medical treatment is required, including intravenous fluids to prevent shock, wound debridement, skin grafting, and sometimes surgery to repair the affected areas.

Medications:
Intravenous pain relievers such as morphine (an opioid analgesic) for severe pain, antibiotics like vancomycin or cefazolin for infection control, and tetanus vaccination if necessary. These medications fall under the classifications of opioids, antibiotics, and vaccines.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Third-degree burns are less common but are extremely serious when they do occur, often resulting from serious accidents or large-scale fires.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
High-energy accidents, fire, electrical burns, chemical exposures, or contact with hot objects or liquids for prolonged periods.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Significant scarring and potential functional impairment. Long-term rehabilitation may be required, and recovery can take months to years. Mortality rates can be high if large areas are affected.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Infection, sepsis, organ failure, and shock. Severe scarring and contractures can limit mobility, and psychological trauma such as PTSD may occur due to the severity of the injury.

Electrical burns

Specialty: Trauma and Injuries

Category: Burns and Thermal Injuries

Sub-category: Special Burn Types

Symptoms:
burn marks on the skin; tingling or numbness; muscle contractions; cardiac arrhythmias; respiratory distress; burns on internal tissues

Root Cause:
The electrical current passes through the body, causing tissue damage due to the high heat generated, and can disrupt the normal electrical functioning of the heart and muscles.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosis involves physical examination, assessment of burn severity, ECG to monitor cardiac function, and imaging if internal injuries are suspected.

Treatment:
Immediate treatment includes stabilizing airway, breathing, and circulation, cooling the burn, treating cardiac arrhythmias, and addressing any internal injuries. Pain management and wound care are critical.

Medications:
Analgesics (e.g., opioids or non-opioid pain relievers for pain control), antiarrhythmic drugs (such as lidocaine or amiodarone for cardiac arrhythmias), and antibiotics (to prevent infection in the burn wound).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Electrical burns are relatively rare compared to thermal burns, but they are particularly common in industrial settings and electrical accidents.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Direct contact with high-voltage power sources, working in high-risk occupations (e.g., electrical workers), lack of safety precautions.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Can range from mild to severe, depending on the voltage and extent of the burn; severe cases may result in long-term complications or death.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Cardiac arrhythmias, respiratory failure, tissue necrosis, organ damage, and long-term neurological effects.

Chemical burns

Specialty: Trauma and Injuries

Category: Burns and Thermal Injuries

Sub-category: Special Burn Types

Symptoms:
pain or burning sensation; redness or blisters on skin; swelling; chemical odor; nausea or vomiting; breathing difficulties (if inhaled)

Root Cause:
Contact with caustic or corrosive chemicals leads to tissue damage through chemical reactions, often affecting the skin, eyes, and respiratory system.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosis involves a thorough history of exposure to chemicals, physical examination, and possible laboratory tests (e.g., blood work or eye examination if chemicals were in contact with eyes).

Treatment:
Immediate removal of the chemical, flushing the area with water, decontamination procedures, and treating the burn. Wound care, pain management, and sometimes specific antidotes or neutralizing agents.

Medications:
Pain relief with NSAIDs or opioids if necessary, topical antibiotics for prevention of infection, and corticosteroids for reducing inflammation if appropriate.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Chemical burns are not as common as thermal burns but are still significant in certain industries like manufacturing and laboratories.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Exposure to hazardous chemicals in industrial settings, poor safety practices, improper storage, and handling of chemicals.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Prognosis depends on the severity of exposure; prompt treatment leads to better outcomes, while severe burns can result in permanent scarring or organ damage.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Infection, scarring, loss of function, organ damage (especially if inhaled), and in some cases, long-term disability.

Inhalation injuries (smoke inhalation)

Specialty: Trauma and Injuries

Category: Burns and Thermal Injuries

Sub-category: Special Burn Types

Symptoms:
coughing; difficulty breathing; wheezing; soot or carbon particles in the mouth or nose; hoarseness; chest pain; confusion or loss of consciousness

Root Cause:
Inhalation of smoke or toxic gases during a fire leads to damage to the respiratory tract, particularly the lungs and airways, and can also cause carbon monoxide poisoning.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosis is based on symptoms, history of exposure, physical examination, pulse oximetry, and chest imaging (X-ray or CT scan). Blood tests for carbon monoxide levels are also used.

Treatment:
Immediate treatment includes oxygen therapy, airway management, nebulized medications to reduce inflammation, and sometimes mechanical ventilation for severe cases.

Medications:
Oxygen therapy (as the primary treatment), bronchodilators (such as albuterol ) for airway constriction, corticosteroids for inflammation, and in some cases, hyperbaric oxygen therapy for carbon monoxide poisoning.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common in house fires or industrial accidents, though it often occurs alongside other burns and trauma.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Proximity to fire or hazardous environments, lack of proper ventilation, smoking, and pre-existing respiratory conditions like asthma.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Prognosis varies widely depending on the severity of the injury and the promptness of treatment. With early intervention, many patients recover fully, but prolonged exposure can lead to permanent respiratory damage.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Chronic respiratory issues (e.g., pulmonary fibrosis), airway obstruction, carbon monoxide poisoning, and in severe cases, death due to asphyxiation.

Partial or complete amputation of limbs or digits

Specialty: Trauma and Injuries

Category: Burns and Thermal Injuries

Sub-category: Traumatic Amputations

Symptoms:
severe pain at the site of injury; bleeding; loss of function of the amputated body part; shock symptoms (e.g., pale skin, rapid breathing, weakness); emotional distress or trauma

Root Cause:
Loss of a limb or digit due to trauma, resulting in the destruction of blood vessels, nerves, muscles, and bones. Often caused by accidents, explosions, or severe burns.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Physical examination to assess the injury and loss of body part. Imaging tests (X-rays, CT scans) to check for bone fractures and damage to the surrounding tissue. Assessment of blood supply to determine if reattachment is feasible.

Treatment:
Immediate wound care to control bleeding (e.g., tourniquet application, hemostatic dressings). Surgery to remove damaged tissue or perform replantation of the amputated part (if possible). Pain management (e.g., analgesics, nerve blocks). Psychological support to address trauma. Rehabilitation and prosthetic fitting after healing.

Medications:
Pain relievers (Analgesics) such as opioids (morphine ) for acute pain management and NSAIDs (ibuprofen ) for inflammation. Antibiotics like cefazolin to prevent infection if there's open tissue. Tetanus immunization may be required if the injury is caused by a contaminated object.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
This type of injury is relatively rare but can occur in traumatic accidents or natural disasters. Approximately 2 million Americans live with limb loss, with traumatic amputations accounting for a significant proportion.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
High-risk occupations (e.g., construction, military). Traffic accidents. Exposure to explosions or industrial machinery. Severe burns.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
The prognosis depends on the extent of the amputation, the speed of treatment, and the success of replantation if attempted. Individuals may require long-term rehabilitation.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Infection at the amputation site. Phantom limb pain. Psychological distress (e.g., depression, anxiety). Complications from replantation (e.g., graft rejection, insufficient blood supply). Permanent disability or loss of function depending on the location and severity of the amputation.

Prosthetic management and rehabilitation

Specialty: Trauma and Injuries

Category: Burns and Thermal Injuries

Sub-category: Traumatic Amputations

Symptoms:
difficulty with mobility or using the prosthetic device; residual limb pain or discomfort; skin irritation or pressure sores from the prosthetic; psychological challenges (e.g., body image concerns, coping with disability)

Root Cause:
The need for artificial limb replacements after amputation to restore mobility, function, and appearance.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Evaluation of the residual limb to determine the suitability for prosthetic fitting. Functional assessment to identify the most appropriate prosthesis based on the patient’s needs and lifestyle.

Treatment:
Prosthetic fitting and adjustment to match the patient’s anatomical needs. Physical therapy to train patients to use the prosthetic effectively. Psychological counseling to support adjustment to life with a prosthetic. Ongoing prosthetic care and maintenance, including repairs and replacements as necessary.

Medications:
Pain relievers such as NSAIDs (ibuprofen ) for residual limb discomfort. Antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications (e.g., sertraline , fluoxetine ) for psychological support. Topical treatments for skin irritation, such as corticosteroid creams or hydrocortisone .

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Approximately 500,000 people in the United States use prosthetics, with millions more globally. Prosthetic management is essential for those who have experienced traumatic amputations.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Traumatic amputation or limb loss due to accident, disease, or congenital malformations. Limited access to specialized care or rehabilitation services.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
With appropriate rehabilitation and prosthetic management, many individuals can regain significant mobility and independence. The success of rehabilitation depends on factors such as age, mental health, and the level of amputation.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Difficulty in adjusting to the prosthesis, leading to limited use. Skin irritation, pressure sores, or infections from prolonged use of prosthetics. Mechanical failure of the prosthesis. Emotional or psychological challenges related to body image and loss of limb function.