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Third-Degree Burns: |
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Third-degree, or full-thickness burns, are the most serious, resulting from contact with hot liquids or solids, flame, chemicals, or electricity. The skin becomes dry and leathery; charred blood vessels are often visible. The skin is a mixture of colors: white (waxy- pearly), dark (khaki-mahogany), and charred. The patient feels little or no pain, because the nerve endings have been destroyed. Hair pulls out easily with no pain. The burn extends through all dermal layers and can involve subcutaneous layers, muscles, organs, and bone. Third-degree burns are considered minor if they occur on less than 2 percent of the body surface. Moderate burns involve 2 to 10 per- cent of the body surface. Third-degree burns are classified as critical if they occur on more than 10 percent of the total body surface, if there is any involvement of the face, hands, feet, or genital area, or if the burns are caused by chemicals or electricity. Third-degree burns that cover large areas usually require skin grafting and take months or years to heal completely; small areas require weeks. |
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Hypothermia |
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Hypothermia is not an illness that strikes only mountaineers. Some people can become sick from hypothermia in temperatures in the low 50s. Prevention is the best medicine.
• Wear a synthetic pile or wool sweater. These materials keep you warm even when wet. In addition, the synthetic materials dry very quickly.
• The worst material is cotton, which loses all of its warmth when wet.
• If wind or rain is a factor, make sure to bring a shell along.
• And if you expect temperatures below 40 or so, you should probably consider taking a down parka with you.
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