Types of Burns

A chemical burn occurs when your skin or eyes come into contact with an irritant, such as an acid or a base. Chemical burns are also known as caustic burns. They may cause a reaction on your skin or within your body. These burns can affect your internal organs if chemicals are swallowed.

Electrical burns may be caused by a number of sources of electricity, such as lightning, stun guns and contact with household current. You may treat minor electrical burns as you would other minor burns.

Another serious burn that may need treatment is an electrical burn, like from a power cable. These types of burns may cause internal damage, even if the burn does not leave a mark on the skin. These types of burns may cause internal damage, even if the burn does not leave a mark on the skin.

Radiation Burns. Radiation burns are caused by exposure to radiation. Radiation burns can cause harm to skin and other body tissues, depending on the severity of the burn. Radiation burns differ from other types of burns, as the cell structure can be altered as the body responds to the radiation, causing cell mutations and cancer in some cases.

All thermal burns (from fire or flame) cause an injury to the different layers of the skin. The type of burn and the severity of the burn depends on the number of layers of skin affected. Traditionally burns were described using the word degrees (first, second, and third).