Distinguish between burn and scald.

Burn and scald are both types of injuries caused by exposure to heat, but they differ in the source of the heat and the type of damage they cause.

Burn:
- A burn is an injury to the skin or other tissues caused by heat, electricity, chemicals, or radiation.
- Burns can be caused by contact with flames, hot objects, steam, or hot liquids.
- Burns can cause damage to the skin, underlying tissues, and organs, and can range in severity from minor to life-threatening.
- Symptoms of a burn may include redness, blistering, swelling, and pain.

Scald:
- A scald is a specific type of burn caused by contact with hot liquids or steam.
- Scalds are most commonly caused by spills of hot liquids such as water, coffee, or soup.
- Scalds typically affect the skin and can cause redness, blistering, and pain.
- Scalds are often less severe than other types of burns, but can still cause significant pain and discomfort.

In summary, burns can be caused by a variety of sources of heat, while scalds specifically refer to burns caused by hot liquids or steam. Both types of injuries can cause damage to the skin and underlying tissues, but scalds are more specific in their cause.

Burn

- Definition: Tissue damage caused by direct contact with heat or a hot object.
- Cause: Thermal energy
- Characteristics:
- Dry, charred skin
- Painful
- Blistering may occur
- Examples: Fire, hot metal, hot liquid

Scald

- Definition: Tissue damage caused by contact with a hot liquid or steam.
- Cause: Moist heat
- Characteristics:
- Red, moist skin
- Swelling and pain
- Blistering often occurs
- Examples: Boiling water, steam from a shower or kettle

Key Differences

| Feature | Burn | Scald |
|---|---|---|
| Cause | Dry heat | Moist heat |
| Appearance | Dry, charred | Moist, red |
| Blistering | May or may not occur | Often occurs |
| Pain | Painful | Painful, but may not be as intense as a burn |
| Severity | Can range from minor to severe | Usually less severe than burns |