Burns - Depth, Classification, and Rule of Nines

Adult Genitalia

1%

Child Genitalia

1%

Infant Genitalia

1%

Child Head

12%

Infant Left Leg

13.5%

Infant Right Leg

13.5%

Child Left Leg

16.5%

Child Right Leg

16.5%

Adult Back

18%

Adult Front

18%

Adult Left Leg

18%

Adult Right Leg

18%

Child Back

18%

Child Front

18%

Infant Back

18%

Infant Front

18%

Infant Head

18%

Adult Head

9%

Adult Left Arm

9%

Adult Right Arm

9%

Child Left Arm

9%

Child Right Arm

9%

Infant Left Arm

9%

Infant Right Arm

9%

Severe Burns

>Burns on patients younger than 5 years or older than 55 years that would be classified as "Moderate" on young adults. >Burns complicated by fractures. >Burns associated with respiratory injury (Smoke inhalation or inhalation injury) >Partial-thickness burns covering more than 30% of the body's total surface area. >Full-thickness burns covering more than 10% of the body's total surface area. >Full-thickness burns involving the hands, feet, face, upper airway, or genitalia or circumferential burns of other areas.

Minor Burns

>Superficial burns covering less than 50% of the body's total surface area. >Partial-thickness burns covering less than 15% of the body's total surface area. >Full-thickness burns covering less than 2% of the body's total surface.

Moderate Burns

>Superficial burns covering more than 50% of the body's total surface. >Partial-thickness burns covering 15% to 30% of the body's total surface area. >Full-thickness burns involving 2% to 10% of the body's total surface area (excluding hands, feet, face, genitalia, and upper airway)

Rule of nines

A system that assigns percentages to sections of the body, allowing calculation of the amount of skin surface involved in the burn area.

Full-thickness Burn

Extend through all skin layers and may involve subcutaneous layers, muscle, bone, or internal organs. Burned area is dry and leathery and may appear white, dark brown, or even charred. May not have feeling.

Superficial Burns

Involve only the top layer of skin, the epidermis. Skin turns red but does not blister or burn through. Burn site is often painful. EXAMPLE - Sunburn

Partial-thickness Burn

Involve the epidermis and some portion of the dermis. Do not destroy the entire thickness of the skin nor is the subcutaneous tissue injured. The skin is moist, mottled, and white to red. Blisters are present. Cause intense pain.