title: Work-related burns.
abstract: Work-related upper extremity burns often occur. The cause directs the course of action. Thermal burns should be assessed for system alterations, and depth of burn should be determined. Deep partial-thickness burns and more severe burns require a specialist evaluation. Chemical burns must be irrigated and the agent identified. Some chemical burns, such as those that involve phenols and metal fragments, require specific topical applications before water lavage. Hydrofluoric acid burns can cause life-threatening electrolyte abnormalities with a small, highly concentrated acid burn. The goal with any extremity burn is to provide the patient with a multidisciplinary team approach to achieve a functional, usable extremity.
authors.affiliation: General/Trauma Surgery, Surgical Critical Care, Keesler USAF Medical Center, 81st MSGS/SGCQ, 301 Fisher Street, Room 1A132, Keesler Air Force Base, MS 39534-2519, USA. Valerie.pruitt@keesler.af.mil
authors.forename: Valerie M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Pruitt
mesh_terms: D000062:Accidents, Occupational / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001134:Arm Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D001458:Bandages; D002053:Burn Units; D002056:Burns / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D015984:Causality; D002424:Caustics / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D006858:Hydrofluoric Acid / Q000009:adverse effects; D015994:Incidence; D016272:Occupational Health; D009787:Occupational Medicine; D010348:Patient Care Team; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012837:Silver Sulfadiazine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017592:Skin Care; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014883:Water-Electrolyte Imbalance / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D002424:Caustics; D006858:Hydrofluoric Acid; D012837:Silver Sulfadiazine