**4. Epidemiology**

various inflammatory cells are formed in the affected tissue. Angiogenesis starts into the damaged tissue. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha, prostaglandin E2 also play a role in the formation of inflammatory response in wound healing. Any damage to the formation of this response can result in scarring after the burn. The primary cytokine responsible for scar formation is transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) secretion which is released from the other inflammatory cells and myofibroblasts. Hypertrophic scar does not develop when the reticular layer is not affected in burning. As a result, inflammatory cells, fibroblasts, newly formed blood vessels,

The skin, which is the largest organ of the body, constitutes 16% of the total body weight.

organism and also acts as a sensory organ. It regulates body temperature and blood pressure by means of dermal vascular component. It synthesizes vitamin D3 with the effect of ultraviolet. Stratum corneum creates a barrier to prevent fluid and electrolyte loss and regulates transepidermal fluid passage. It provides homeostasis of the body against trauma that can be caused by various physical and chemical factors originating from the external environment [4]. Physical and chemical agents cause various damages to be formed directly, with thermal,

Dermatitis developed due to high temperature trauma is defined as burn. Burn is an acute tissue injury caused by exposure to materials, solid or liquid, hot or showing effects of hot [5]. In skin and/or subcutaneous tissues, all of the acute damage caused by exposure to heat, cold, electricity, radiation, or chemical agents is burn. Although the developed damage is in the skin and subcutaneous tissues, it is a very comprehensive trauma that affects the entire organism due to the conditions, such as the depth of the burn, the surface area, the causative agent, and the infection and metabolic circumstances that may occur in the follow-up process, that determines the prognosis with the pathophysiology it caused [5, 6]. The skin loses its functions when it is burned. Burns can spread from outer layers of skin to deeper tissues [5]. The form of occurrence and duration of exposure to the active agent (flame, liquid, gas, chemical agents, etc.) is important in planning the treatment. A more detailed evaluation of the patient should be examined about general examination findings accompanying the burn. Whether there is evidence of dry cough, hoarseness, and breathing difficulties suggesting inhalation injury should be questioned in burns that develop due to flames. The anamnesis of the burn plays an important role, especially since antidote treatment may be needed aimed to

The first written documents about burns were found 2400 years ago during the times of Hippocrates. In 1607, Hildanus had graded the burns. In 1799, Earle found that applying ice

in length in adult man. The skin is a protective covering for the

and collagen deposits develop hypertrophic scar tissue in the reticular layer [2, 3].

mechanical, and radial factors, or as a result of the reactions they create [4].

**2. Description**

18 Hot Topics in Burn Injuries

It is 6–10 kg and 1.5–2 m2

the agent in chemical burns.

**3. History**

Although the awareness level of the individuals is increasing nowadays and preventive technologies are developed, the burn is still one of the important causes of mortality and high morbidity. It is known that more than 6 million people are exposed to burns every year in the world, and that the mortality rate due to burns is 6–7%. About 75% of the deaths are due to CO inhalation and at the scene primarily [8]. Another cause of mortality is sepsis. As the total body surface area affected by burn increases, the mortality rate also increases [8]. Burns are most commonly seen in the upper and lower extremities [8, 9]. Burn traumas often result from an accident or neglect. About 80% of the burns arise from individual errors and 70% occur at home [4]. Burn epidemiology varies with age. Child age group and elderly population are more at risk. Studies show that more than half of the cases are in the child age group. About 19% are under the age of 5 and 12% are over 60 years old [1]. While boiled water and flame burns are seen most commonly, they are followed by electrical and chemical burns. While hot water burns are seen in approximately 70% of the pediatric age group, burns due to flame at home or office are seen in adults [10]. In a study conducted in Tokyo, 82% of cases were due to hot water and 11% of cases were due to flames in children under 16 years of age [11]. In the study of Aytaç et al. causes of burns were found as 68.8% hot water, 1.5% flame, 3.8% hot material contact injuries, and 1.1% chemical burns, respectively [9].
