What degree of burns covering 10% or more of total body surface area (TBSA) is classified as a trauma alert?

The classification of burns that trigger a trauma alert is based on both the degree of the burn and the extent of body surface area affected. For burns covering 10% or more of total body surface area (TBSA), second and third degree burns are critical.

Second degree burns can cause significant tissue damage, leading to complications such as infection, fluid loss, and scarring, which necessitates advanced medical management. Third degree burns represent a more severe injury where all layers of the skin are damaged, often requiring surgical intervention such as skin grafts.

In terms of degree, first degree burns are usually minor, affecting only the outer layer of skin (epidermis), and while they can be painful, they are generally managed with basic first aid and do not normally meet trauma alert criteria. Fourth degree burns involve destruction of all layers of skin and underlying tissue, extending to muscle and bone, and while they are severe, the classification related to trauma alerts typically highlights the second and third degree burns due to their more common presentation and management requirements in trauma situations.

Thus, burns classified as second or third degree covering 10% or more TBSA are recognized as requiring a trauma alert due to their potential for severe complications and the need for specialized medical intervention