Airway - may need to create a surgical airway in those with severe face and neck burns. Breathing - High flow oxygen is mandatory. Ventilation is sometimes required, especially with airway burns. Burned surfaces rapidly lose fluid. Fluid requirements are greatly increased anyway because of metabolic rate.
Regimens vary from centre to centre.
Large amounts of salt-containing fluid IV is the first line treatment. Critically ill patients can be stabilised in ICU and transferred. Generally, the inflammatory response begins to settle after 3 to 4 days. Infection is the major problem at this stage. Aggressive antibiotic treatment combined with surgery to remove dead tissue is often required.