Esthetic considerations greatest in the head and neck area. Inhalational injuries often accompany burns of the head and neck. Cutaneous or toxic ingestion Electrical Severity of burns is a function of intensity of burning agent and duration of exposure. Steam has about 4000 times the burning energy than does air. This is due to the heat of vaporization of water from liquid to gas phase.
Hot oils have greater thermal energy than does hot water because the flash point is higher.
Thus hot oils can reach temperatures into the 200oC range and still remain liquid. Duration of exposure may be related to length of time in direct contact or prolonged burning from un-neutralized chemicals. Scalds with viscous oils will be more severe than with hot water. Plastic polymers in clothing will melt onto the skin and produce severe burn injuries. Acute Management of Burn Wounds Follow the ABC's of trauma care.