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Attention, chocolate lovers: You may not be able to help yourselves. Swiss and British scientists have linked the widespread love of chocolate to a chemical "signature" that may be programmed into our metabolic systems.
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Burns

Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors

A burn is defined as any destruction of skin or body tissue resulting from heat, chemicals, radiation, or electricity. The severity of a burn depends several factors:

the amount of body surface area, also called BSA, that is injured

the depth of destruction

the location of the burn

What are the causes and risks of the injury?

Following are some of the common causes of burns:

contact with a caustic chemical

contact with a hot object, such as curling irons, cigarettes, or stoves

electricity, such as electrical outlets or defective appliances

excess exposure to sunlight

inhalation of hot gas or steam, such as the discharge from an automobile radiator

open flames, such as matches, candles, and campfires

rapid ignition of a flammable material, such as lighter fluid

scalding from hot liquids, such as coffee or boiling water

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