Intense Heat Continues: Watch Out for Burns on Sizzling City Sidewalks
In the scorching heat of a heatwave, a 56-year-old man in Seattle suffered second-degree burns on his feet after walking barefoot on hot asphalt, as temperatures reached an unprecedented 42°C, 21°C above historical averages. This incident underscores the growing concern about pavement burns during heatwaves, a topic that has garnered limited direct data in various regions.
Recent studies indicate an increase in burns from contact with hot ground due to climate change. However, the incidence of pavement burns during heatwaves remains underreported or relatively rare compared to other heat-associated health effects, such as heatstroke and cardiovascular collapse.
A study conducted in Las Vegas in 2020 found that surfaces like asphalt can become dangerously hot. At an ambient temperature of 40°C, asphalt can exceed 66°C and be hot enough to cause second-degree burns in less than 35 seconds. This finding highlights the potential risk posed by hot pavement during heatwaves.
In desert conditions, surfaces such as asphalt can pose a significant threat. Almost all bilateral plantar burns involved children aged 3 years or younger, with an average burned body surface area of 2.5%. The majority of sidewalk burns in children occurred during the summer months of June to August, with the maximum ambient temperature at the time of injury being 38.9°C.
In 2023, the first cases of pavement burns were reported in the UK, on the hottest day ever recorded in the country, where temperatures exceeded 40°C in several places. These cases involved individuals with significant comorbidities.
It is essential to note that pavement burns are deeper than they initially appear and continue to worsen during hospitalization. The man from Seattle was admitted to the emergency room with open blisters, redness, and an intact blister on his feet and heels. He received analgesic treatment, wound cleaning, antibiotic treatment, and an antimicrobial foam dressing. His burns healed without complications after 18 days.
Individuals most at risk of this type of burn are homeless people, those who walk barefoot on hot pavement, those who trip or faint, those with severe diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and those under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Given the absence of comprehensive data on pavement burns incidence during heatwaves, further targeted epidemiological studies or injury surveillance across different countries would be required to gain a more accurate understanding of this issue. Current studies focus more on overall heat mortality and cardiovascular outcomes rather than specific skin injuries like pavement burns.
As the frequency and intensity of heatwaves increase globally, it is crucial to raise awareness about the risks associated with hot pavement and encourage the public to take precautions, such as wearing shoes, staying hydrated, and avoiding prolonged exposure to hot surfaces during extreme heat events.
