Hot Air Sauna Burns (HASB)

 

Risk groups:

(1) pregnant women

(2) middle age male with heart disease

(3) alcohol intoxication

(4) other cause for loss of consciousness

(5) alone in the sauna

 

The burns are often third degree (full thickness) involving a large percentage of the body surface area. The distribution may be affected by covering such as a towel or contact with a bench.

 

Common complications include:

(1) rhabdomyolysis with myoglobinuria and renal failure.

(2) dehydration

 

Management needs to be aggressive and may require:

(1) amputation of limbs

(2) excision of necrotic skeletal muscle

(3) flap coverage using pedicled flaps

 

Differential diagnosis - other forms of sauna burns:

(1) scald

(2) contact

(3) steam

(4) flame