Face the Heat: Facial Burn Emergency Department Visits Over 10 Years

Abstract

Purpose: Facial burns have profound effects on patient quality of life due to scarring and disfigurement, highlighting the importance of optimizing both functional and cosmetic outcomes in facial burn treatment. As mortality rates improve, the focus of care has shifted to improve cosmetic outcomes, which are integral to the psychosocial and functional role of the face. This study analyzes 10 years of national data on facial burn mechanisms and demographics to provide a basis to inform targeted prevention strategies. Methods: The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) was queried for facial burns from 2014 to 2023. This database provides nationally representative estimates of emergency department injuries, capturing information on demographics, mechanism of injury, outcomes, and a short narrative summary. Results: Facial burn incidence and burn type remained stable over the 10-year period, with thermal and scald burns being the most common. Injury mechanism differed by age; pediatric populations were most frequently burned by cookware and tableware whereas adult burns were linked to gasoline, cooking appliances, and grills. Burn incidence increased for both minority and non-minority populations from 19.5% to 27.2% and 36.4% to 47.6%, respectively. Whereas the “Not Specified” category decreased from 37.8% to 19.3%. Male patients comprised 60% of burns with a higher likelihood of thermal burns and female patients had a higher likelihood of chemical and scald burns. Conclusions: The stability of facial burn incidence highlights a persistent gap in prevention efforts, while demographic insights offer opportunities to refine prevention campaigns and focus interventions to improve long term outcomes. These data provide a foundation for future research and development of facial burn prevention, particularly in mitigating disparities in patient outcomes and enhancing patient quality of life.