ABSTRACT
The last 50 years have seen great strides made to reduce both morbidity and mortality from burn injuries. A large burn injury will have a significant effect on the patient's family and friends and the patient's future. The importance of multidisciplinary care needs to be stressed for the adequate and effective care of the burn patient. The mechanism of burn injury varies according to age, with the extremes of age being particularly vulnerable. The majority of burns in children are scalds caused by accidents with kettles, pans, hot drinks and bath water. Recent campaigns have included highlighting the dangers of leaving hot hair straighteners near children and the slogan ‘hot water burns like fire’ in relation to the danger of scald injuries. Burns can also damage the airway and lungs, with life-threatening consequences. Inhalation injury of hot, smoked-filled air has three components, each of which can present alone or in any combination.
