Burns — Uganda (General Adult population)
1st Degree Burns
Superficial epidermal injury. No blisters. Main sign: redness (erythema), tenderness. Do not count for TBSA calculation.
2nd Degree (Superficial Partial Thickness)
Blisters present. Pink moist wound, painful. Thin eschar. Heals in 10–14 days.
2nd Degree (Deep Partial Thickness)
No blisters. Wound is pale, moderately painful. Thick eschar. Heals in >1 month, may require surgical debridement.
3rd Degree (Full Thickness)
Full thickness skin destruction. Leather-like rigid eschar. Painless on palpation or pinprick. Requires skin graft.
4th Degree Burns
Full thickness destruction of skin, fascia, muscles, or bone. Lifeless body part.
Severity — Minor/Mild Burns
Adult: <15% TBSA. Child/Elderly: <10% TBSA. OR Full thickness burn <2% TBSA with no serious threat to function.
Severity — Moderate Burns
Adult: partial thickness 15–25% TBSA. Child/Elderly: partial thickness 10–20% TBSA. No serious threat to function, no cosmetic impairment of face, ears, hands, feet, or perineum.
Severity — Major/Severe Burns
Adult: partial thickness >25% TBSA OR full thickness >10% TBSA. Child/Elderly: partial thickness >20% TBSA OR full thickness >5% TBSA. Any age: burns of face, eyes, neck, ears, hands, feet, perineum, major joints; chemical, high voltage, or inhalation burns.
TBSA Estimation
Small areas: patient's open palm = 1% TBSA. Large areas: "Rule of Nines" or Lund-Browder chart. Exclude areas with erythema only.
Related Clinical Tools
