d. Uncomplicated second degree burns covering 10 to 20 percent of a child's
body surface.
e. Minor burns that have complicating factors.
3-13. THERMAL BURNS: MINOR
Burns like the following are classified as minor.
a. Second-degree burns covering less than 15 percent of the body in an adult.
b. Second-degree burns covering less than 10 percent of the body of a child.
c. First-degree burns involving less than 20 percent of the adult or child.
3-14. ADDITIONAL FACTORS IN THERMAL BURN ASSESSMENT
Consider these factors when assessing the criticality of a burn:
a. Irregular Burn Distribution. To estimate burns that are irregularly
distributed, use the fact that one surface of a casualty's hand represents about one
percent of his body surface.
b. Burns Over 15 Percent of the Body surface. Patients with burns of more
than 15 percent of the body surface typically require some resuscitative treatment.
These patients are best cared for in a hospital.
c. Location of the Burn. Burns of the face, hands, feet, or genitalia need
immediate treatment. Small burns on these areas may require hospitalization, even if
these limited areas are the only sites of burn injury. Transport such patients to a
medical treatment facility.
d. Configuration of the Burn. A burn which surrounds a body part may
completely cut off circulation due to tissues swelling. For example, neck burns can
result in airway obstruction and chest burns can cause breathing difficulty.
e. Complicating Medical Problems. Circulatory problems such as diabetes
and peripheral vascular disease affect burns.
f. Patient Age. Young adults tolerate thermal injury best. Those under four
years and over 60 years of age have more complications and a greater mortality rate for
the same extent of burn that a young adult survives.
MD0576
3-19