Learn about causes, symptoms, risk factors and complications of burns and how to prevent and treat them.
Diagnosis If you go to a healthcare professional for burn treatment, the health professional figures out how bad your burn is by examining your skin. You may be transferred to a burn center if your burn covers more than 10% of your total body surface area, is very deep, is on the face, feet or groin, or meets other criteria established by the American Burn Association.
Burns are injuries to the skin or deeper tissues caused by heat, chemicals, electricity, sunlight, steam or other sources. Common causes of burns at home include hot liquids, grease fires, and contact with hot surfaces, such as a stove or iron. Major burns need emergency medical help. Minor burns usually can be safely treated at home with first aid.
DEAR MAYO CLINIC: What’s the best way to treat a minor burn? At what point does a burn require medical care? ANSWER: The level of care needed for a burn depends on how extensive the tissue damage is from the burn. Minor burns often can be treated at home without seeing a health care provider. Burns considered “minor” include first-degree burns and second-degree burns that are no larger ...
To take in fewer calories than you burn, aim to cut 500 to 750 calories a day to lose 1 to 1.5 pounds (0.5 to 0.7 kilograms) a week. Add more physical activity to get to your weight-loss goals faster and maintain your weight loss. A healthcare professional, such as a doctor or registered dietitian, can help you explore ways to lose weight.