[Burns].

Abstract

In the Netherlands, an average of 92,000 patients with burn injuries are seen annually by a general practitioners. A burn injury is defined as skin damage caused by heat, radiation, electricity, and/or chemical agents. It is crucial to make an accurate assessment of the severity of the burn. The severity is primarily determined by the size (also referred to as the total burned body surface area, or TBSA), the depth of the burn, as well as the location, any associated injuries (such as inhalation trauma) and patient factors such as age and comorbidities. What initial measures do you take, what should you pay attention to, what treatment do you administer and when is it necessary to contact one of the three burn centers? This article will provide more clarity on these questions.