What is a scald?

What is a scald?

• A. A burn caused by a chemical
• B. A burn caused by a hot liquid
• C. A burn caused by prolonged exposure to a heating pad
• D. A burn caused by an electrical appliance

Answer: (B)

A scald is a burn caused by hot liquids or steam. When the skin is exposed to liquids at high temperatures—like boiling water, hot coffee or tea, hot soup, or steam from a kettle—the rapid heat transfer can damage the skin quickly. This is different from chemical burns, which come from corrosive substances; or burns from an electrical source; or a burn from prolonged contact with a hot object like a heating pad, which isn’t liquid-based. Scalds are especially dangerous for young children and older adults because their skin is more sensitive and they can be burned more easily.

A scald is a burn caused by hot liquids or steam. When the skin is exposed to liquids at high temperatures—like boiling water, hot coffee or tea, hot soup, or steam from a kettle—the rapid heat transfer can damage the skin quickly. This is different from chemical burns, which come from corrosive substances; or burns from an electrical source; or a burn from prolonged contact with a hot object like a heating pad, which isn’t liquid-based. Scalds are especially dangerous for young children and older adults because their skin is more sensitive and they can be burned more easily.