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Burn Evaluation
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Lab Tests

Burn Evaluation

A burn evaluation is a clinical assessment used to determine the depth and extent of a burn injury to guide appropriate treatment and predict healing.

Overview

Burns are tissue damage caused by heat (thermal), chemicals, electricity, radiation, or friction. A burn evaluation estimates the degree (depth) and extent (percentage of body surface area) of the injury to determine if care can be managed at home or requires a hospital or specialized burn center.

What happens during a burn evaluation?

The evaluation involves two primary steps:

1. Determining the Degree of the Burn

  • First-degree (superficial): Damages only the epidermis. Symptoms include pain, redness, and mild swelling.
  • Second-degree (partial thickness): Damages the epidermis and dermis. Symptoms include pain, deep redness, blisters, and a wet/glossy appearance.
  • Third-degree (full-thickness): Destroys the entire thickness of the skin. Symptoms include dry, leathery, or charred skin (white, brown, or black) and potential loss of pain sensation in the affected area.

2. Estimating the Extent of the Burn

Providers estimate the percentage of the body affected by second-degree or deeper burns using methods such as the "rule of nines," the Lund-Browder chart (most accurate for children), or the palmar surface method (where the patient's palm equals approximately 1% of their body surface).

When to Seek Medical Help

While minor burns can often be treated at home, you should seek medical attention if a burn:

  • Appears deep, is larger than 3 inches, or looks leathery/dry.
  • Shows signs of infection (fever, pus, or increasing pain).
  • Is caused by chemicals or electricity.
  • Affects the face, hands, genitals, buttocks, or joints.
  • Involves the inhalation of smoke or hot gases.
  • Occurs in children under 5 or adults over 70.

Frequently Asked Questions

Clean the area gently with mild soap and water, apply a thin layer of antibiotic ointment, and cover with a non‑adhesive dressing. Do not pop blisters; they protect underlying tissue. Change dressings daily, watch for increased redness, warmth, or drainage, and seek medical help if infection signs appear.===
First‑degree burns affect only the outer skin layer, appearing red and painful but without blisters. Second‑degree burns involve the dermis, showing blisters, a wet or glossy look, and intense pain. Third‑degree burns destroy all skin layers, appearing pale, charred, or leathery, often with little or no pain due to nerve damage. Clinicians use these visual cues, along with patient history, to classify burn depth.
The rule of nines assigns a percentage of body surface area to each body region (e.g., head 9 %, each arm 9 %, each leg 18 %, torso 36 %). By adding the percentages of affected areas, you can estimate the total burn area. For children, the Lund‑Browder chart is more accurate, but the rule of nines is a quick bedside tool for adults.
Burns on the face, hands, genitals, or joints, even if second‑degree, warrant prompt medical attention because they can impair function, vision, or breathing. Seek care if the burn is larger than 3 inches, shows signs of infection (redness, pus, fever), or if you notice swelling that could affect airway or joint mobility.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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