The skin is the largest organ in the body and is essential for survival.
Skin is made up of two layers, the superficial epidermis and the deeper dermis layer.
It controls temperature and fluid loss as well protecting the body from infection. Burn injuries, whether they are the result of heat, cold, chemicals or electricity can cause severe problems and can be challenging to treat. Small or minor burns can often be treated in an outpatient setting however larger or burns of complex areas are best treated in a specialized unit such as the Burnett Burn Center at Kansas University Medical Center. Burns are classified as being first degree, second degree, third degree or fourth degree. First-degree burns involve only the uppermost cells in the skin and cause redness and peeling of the skin.