The Mechanism of Low Temperature Burn and Clinical Cases

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study was designed to better understand the mechanism of low temperature burn and to show clinical cases of low temperature burn. METHODS: The local temperature increase of electric pad was investigated at 4 different surface cooling conditions. Blocks (5x5x2 cm3) made of silicone rubber, aluminum, or urethane foam were placed on the top of the electric pad, and temperature between the blocks and electric pad was measured up to 7 hours after switching on maximally (level 7). Each block has different thermal conductivity (TC) and TC of silicone rubber (0.2 W/m.degrees C) is similar to TC of human skin (0.37 W/m.degrees C). TC of aluminum is higher and TC of urethane foam is lower than TC of human skin. Experiments were performed on two occasions with or without a blanket covering over the electric pad and blocks. RESULTS: The initial surface temperature (18degrees C) of the electric pad under the silicone rubber block was elevated to 36.5degrees C at 1 hour, 41.8degrees C at 3 hours, 44.2degrees C at 5 hours, and 45.5degrees C at 7 hours. After covering the electric pad and blocks with a blanket, the temperature of the electric pad under the silicone rubber block was elevated to 40.9degrees C at 1 hour, 51.8degrees C at 3 hours, 56.1degrees C at 5 hours and 58.1degrees C at 7 hours. Under the same conditions, surface temperatures under the urethane foam and aluminum blocks were 70.8degrees C and 50.degrees C respectively at 7 hours. CONCLUSION: The local temperature increase of electric pad was dependent on the surface cooling conditions, heating time and blanket covering over the electric pad. The surface temperature increased to 56.1degrees C at 5 hours after blanket covering over the silicone block which temperature can cause severe injuries on the human skin within a minute.