Scald Burn Injuries Caused by Showers Among the Adult Population in the Southwest Region

Extract

To the Editor:

Maximum household hot water temperatures are typically 60–65.6°C.¹ Exposure at this temperature may cause full-thickness burns in as little as 2 seconds.² Approximately 85% of hot shower scalds occur at the extremities of age and in those with disabilities.³

Retrospective data were collected for all scald injuries caused by a domestic hot water sources presenting to the Bristol adult burns unit from 2007 to 2015.

Thirteen patients presented with hot shower scalds were identified with a TBSA ranging from 0.5 to 24% (mean of 5.8% ± 6.9% SD), with the right lower limb and trunk being most commonly affected areas 18.5% each.

92% occurred in the patients own home.

In three patients, the contributing factor appeared to be unsafe appliances/plumbing; in three patients, accidental injury was felt to be the cause and in one patient the injuries were deliberate self harm.

Six patients had associated comorbidities: two were diabetics, two had cerebrovascular accidents, one was a known epileptic, and one had dementia.