The surface area of the skin varies from about 0.2 - 0.3 square meters for a newborn to
about 1.5 - 2.0 square meters for an adult. The outer layer of the skin or epidermis
ranges from about 0.05 nun thick in the eyelids and other body fold areas, to about I m
thick on the soles of the foot.
The dermas or inner skin layer is usually about 10 times the thickness of the
associated epidermis. Average total skin depth is 1-2 mm thick in males, thinner in
females, and thinner in newborns. The skin thickness increases into middle age, then
progressively becomes thinner. The average total body surface skin varies between 15 to 20
percent of total body weight.
The 1st degree burns are equivalent to sunburn and this rarely results in any permanent
injury. The 2nd degree burns can vary in depth from superficial dermal assault to deep 2nd
degree burns, which can sometimes evolve into 3rd degree injury.
Medium to deep 2nd degree burns causes blisters, which can provide an ideal breeding
ground for all sorts of nasty creatures, especially if the blister is punctured. Third
degree burns are full penetration and skin grafts will be required.
The 3rd degree burns destroy the sebaceous glands, nerves, sweat glands, hair
follicles, and sometimes the veins, arteries, and subcutaneous fat is injured. The muscle,
ligaments, tendons, and bones are damaged in 4th degree burns.
The victim suffers less initial pain with 3rd degree burns since the nerves are
destroyed. But greater pain with 3rd degree burns are endured in the prolonged treatment
of various excisements, grafts, and scrubs, in addition to the problems with contractures.
Burns
