Burns are caused by thermal, chemical, electrical or rarely, a radiation injury.

The most common burn injury in children is scald injury that happens when hot liquid is spilled on the skin and contact burn in adults, which happens when someone touches a hot object.  Depending on the size and depth and location of the burn, medical opinions should be obtained.

 A  burn injury requires appropriate care, preferably immediately after the burn but especially within the first few days after the injury to avoid further long term disfiguring and scarring. The burn management procedure begins with the assessment of the vital functions such as breathing airways, the severity and size of the burned surface area. The procedure is then followed by treatment of the burn injuries including removal of dead tissue, applying specific dressings, fluid resuscitation, skin grafting, and more. 

Special burns such as chemical and electrical burns should always have medical consultations as the burns are often worse than they seem.