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Physical Causes — Heat, Cold and Other Atmospheric Factors

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Handbook of Occupational Dermatology

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Abstract

Burns result from exposure to extremes of heat. The lowest temperature at which a burn can occur has been estimated to be 44 °C (111 °F) (Moritz and Henriques 1947). Burns may be of industrial, domestic or environmental origin. Industrial burns are common (Moritz and Henriques 1947; Cason 1981) and may have characteristic occupational patterns (Renz and Sherman 1994; Woods et al. 1996). Apart from direct contact with hot objects or radiation heat [infrared radiation (IR)], accidental exposure to laser energy may cause thermal destruction through absorption by skin chromophores such as melanin and haemoglobin, well known from the therapeutic application of different lasers in dermatology. Classification of burns is based on the depth of the burn as first, second, or third degree (Table 1) (Burke and Bondoc 1993).

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Authors
  1. W. Uter
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  2. L. Kanerva
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Section of Dermatology, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Topeliuksenkatu 41 aA, 00250, Helsinki, Finland

    Lasse Kanerva M.D., Ph.D.

  2. Department of Occupational Dermatology, Karolinska Hospital, 117 76, Stockholm, Sweden

    Jan E. Wahlberg M.D., Ph.D.

  3. National Institute for Working Life, 117 76, Stockholm, Sweden

    Jan E. Wahlberg M.D., Ph.D.

  4. Klinik für Hautkrankheiten, Klinikum der FSU Jena, Erfurter Straße 35, 07740, Jena, Germany

    P. Elsner

  5. School of Medicine, University of California, Box 0989, Surge 100, 94143-0989, CA, San Francisco, USA

    Howard I. Maibach M.D.

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© 2000 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Uter, W., Kanerva, L. (2000). Physical Causes — Heat, Cold and Other Atmospheric Factors. In: Kanerva, L., Wahlberg, J.E., Elsner, P., Maibach, H.I. (eds) Handbook of Occupational Dermatology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-07677-4_18

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-07677-4_18

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  • Online ISBN: 978-3-662-07677-4

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