Introduction to minor burns
Burns can be classified as minor if they do not meet the criteria for referral in Criteria for referral of a burn to a specialist centre. Minor burns can usually be managed in the community. According to the Victorian Adult Burns Service, a minor burn is defined as:
- superficial in depth (eg painful, moist, brisk capillary return)
- less than 10% total body surface area in adults and less than 5% total body surface area in children.
Infected burns or burns that are not healing as expected may require referral for specialist management. Contact the referral centre to discuss appropriate treatment or dressings for transfer. The Australian and New Zealand Burn Association has contacts for referral centres.
The Australian and New Zealand Burn Association criteria for referral of a burns patient to a specialist centre are:
- burns greater than 10% total body surface area in adults
- burns greater than 5% total body surface area in children
- full thickness burns greater than 5% total body surface area
- burns to the face, hands, feet, genitals, perineum, major joints and circumferential limb or chest
- burns with inhalation injury
- electrical burns
- chemical burns
- burns in patients with pre-existing illness
- burns associated with major trauma
- burns at the extremes of age—young children and the elderly
- burns in women who are pregnant
- intentional burns (assault and self-inflicted).