What are the complications of burns?

What are the complications of burns?

Third-degree burns that are deep and affect a large portion of skin are very serious and can be life-threatening. Even first- and second-degree burns can become infected and cause discoloration and scarring. First-degree burns don’t cause scarring.

Potential complications of third-degree burns include:

• Arrhythmia, or heart rhythm disturbances, caused by an electrical burn.
• Dehydration.
• Disfiguring scars and contractures.
• Edema (excess fluid and swelling in tissues).
• Organ failure.
• Pneumonia.
• Seriously low blood pressure (hypotension) that may lead to shock.
• Severe infection that may lead to amputation or sepsis.