Burns are an area of effect injury caused by heat, electricity, chemicals, light, radiation, or friction. They are usually classified by degree of severity and the area they cover. The immediate management and first aid may very based on the cause, though many of these cases require grafting to replace skin lost.

Burns covering an area greater than 10% in children or 15% in adults are life-threatening. For large burns, time is of the essence since they are complicated by bactericemia, fluid loss, and uncontrolled inflammation that can imminently result in shock and organ failure.

For the rest of their lives, burn trauma potentially affects a people in many aspects including aesthetic appearance, relationship with others, psychological, social, and physical functioning. The scars that form can be extremely disfiguring, may impede movement, and interfere with sensation.