Scalds from hot liquid and steam make up 35% of all burn injuries seen in U.S. burn centers.
Steam burns can happen on any exposed area of skin.
They can also affect the eyes ormucous membranesin your mouth, nose, andwindpipe.
Verywell / Emily Roberts
This article discusses the symptoms, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of steam burns.
It also looks at the steps to take after you or someone else has been burned.
Causes of Steam Burns
When water reaches the boiling point, it turns to steam.
The boiling point is 212 degrees F.
Steam is made up of superheated water molecules.
When they contact body tissues, they can scald almost instantly.
Steam can cause worse burns than hot water.
This is because when steam touches your skin, it turns back into liquid.
When this happens, it releases energy.
That energy, along with the heat itself, contributes to how bad the burn is.
Household Appliances
When water turns to steam, it expands to approximately 1,600 times its previous volume.
Steam can escape under pressure.
This means it may come out in a jet that can cause injury.
Many appliances are designed to use steam under pressure, including:
Steam can be easily inhaled.
Superheated molecules can travel deep into your nose, mouth, and throat.
This is why vaporizers can be dangerous, especially for children.
There is no evidence that vaporizers are helpful for treating viruses or other respiratory infections.
They can also cause steam burns of the skin and airways.
For these reasons, they aren’t recommended.
In microwave ovens, the water molecules in food can turn to steam.
When the steam expands, it can shoot out of solid foods.
This is why food sometimes “pops” in the microwave.
Microwaved food can sometimes cause steam burns.
Syncopeis a sudden loss of consciousness, also known as fainting.
People who have medical conditions that lead to syncope are more likely to be burned by household appliances.
This includes appliances that generate steam.
People who have conditions that lead toseizuresare at similar risk.
Risks for Children
Kids are more likely to put their hands or faces into escaping steam.
This can cause a steam burn on exposed skin.
In children, symptoms can come on quickly.
The condition can be fatal and requires immediate medical attention.
Steam Burn Symptoms By Severity
Burns are categorized on a sliding scale of severity.
This is called the"degree" of the burn.
Burns are either first, second, or third-degree.
Steam burns can be especially dangerous if the steam is inhaled.
This is true if you have been burned or if you are helping someone else who has been burned.
Turn off or stop the heat source.
Move the injured person away from the steam.
It is very important to cool down the area to stop this process.
Run cool tap water over the burned area.
The cool water will reduce the temperature of the burn.
Keep doing this until the burned area feels cool to the touch.
It is important to continue even after the patient starts to feel better.
You may need to keep flushing the injury with cool water for as long as 20 minutes.
This is the only way to completely stop the burn process and prevent the injury from getting worse.
Steam in the throat can cause swelling in the airway, even hours after the injury.
Cover and Transport
Next, cover the burn injuries with a dry, sterile dressing.
The patient needs to be taken by ambulance to a burn center.
The rule of nines can help you decide if you better call 911.
If an entire arm is covered in blisters, that’s 9%.
If it’s only half the arm, that’s 4.5%.
At the burn center, treatment may includedebridement.
This is a procedure that removes dead tissue toreduce scarring.
Intravenous (IV) pain medication may also be needed.
This is medication that is given through the veins.
A patient may spend up to two or three weeks in a burn center.
If a person with a steam burn becomes short of breath, seek immediate medical care.
It’s also important to look for signs of infection.
This may include a fever, drainage orpus, or a change in the appearance of the injury.
If you suspect an infection, seek urgent medical care.
How to Prevent a Steam Burn
In the home, most burns happen in the kitchen.
This is especially true for steam burns and other scalds.
Cooking involves heat, which makes it inherently risky.
Summary
Steam burns can be much worse than hot water burns.
Steam can cause injury when it escapes in jets.
It can also be inhaled.
The risk is particularly high for children and adults with certain medical conditions.
Steam burns can be first, second, or third-degree.
you could prevent most burns by being careful with hot liquids in the kitchen.
Keep children away from boiling water and hot appliances.
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