What may increase your risk for problems from a burn?
Content provided by Healthwise
What may increase your risk for problems from a burn?
Many conditions, lifestyle choices, medicines, and diseases interfere with your ability to heal or fight infection. You may be at risk for a more serious problem from your symptoms if you have any of the following. Be sure to tell your health professional.
Conditions
- Very young or advanced age
- Babies and children age 3 and younger are at higher risk for problems from burns because of loss of fluids from the body. Nonaccidental burns may be a sign of child abuse.
- Older adults also may be at higher risk for problems from burns because of loss of fluids from the body and circulation problems. Older adults are more likely to have other health problems that may affect their ability to fight infections and recover from a burn.
- Pregnancy
- A problem or condition present since birth (congenital defect)
- Previous burn injury
- Previous surgery to injured area
- Previous surgery to remove the spleen
Lifestyle choices
- Alcohol abuse or withdrawal
- Drug abuse or withdrawal
- Smoking or other tobacco use
Medicines
- Blood-thinning medicines, such as warfarin, heparin, and aspirin
- Corticosteroids, such as prednisone
- Medicines to prevent organ transplant rejection
- Medicines used to treat cancer (chemotherapy)
- Radiation therapy
Diseases
- Cancer
- Chronic edema
- Chronic skin disease
- Diabetes
- Heart failure
- Hemophilia
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection
- Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Lupus
- Malnutrition or an eating disorder such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia
- Multiple sclerosis
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Sickle cell disease
- Vascular disease, such as venous insufficiency or peripheral arterial disease
Credits
| Author | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Editor | Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine |
| Last Updated | February 2, 2007 |
| Last updated: | February 02, 2007 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Reviewed By: | William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine |
| Editors: | Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC, Tracy Landauer |
© 1995-2007, Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. By using AOL Body, you indicate that you have read, understood, and agreed to our Terms of Service, and AOL Body Advertising Policy. Read more about our content partners.
Search
Where Does it Hurt?
If you're experiencing aches and pains we can help you find answers. Find out what your symptoms mean for your health.
