Burns - First Aid and Emergency Treatment Guide

 What are burns?

  • Injuries due to heat/ chemicals/ electricity/ radiation
  • Common heat injuries due to fire, hot liquids, steam
  • Burns due to heat/chemicals - through skin contact 
  • Severe burns affect muscles, fat, and bones
  • Older people/ children - particularly vulnerable


Categories of burns
  • First, second and third degree 
  • Categorization depends on the severity of tissue damage 
  • Check extent of burn before deciding self-treatment
  • Seek help if a burn is over a couple of inches in diameter, or
  • If it involves large sections of the hands, feet, face, groin or buttocks, or a major joint
 
First-degree burns
  • Injuries are superficial/mild
  • Swelling& redness of the injured area 
  • Pain develops
  • No blisters are seen
  • The burned area becomes white on touch
  • Takes 3-6 days to heal
 
Treatment
  • Remove the patient from the heat source
  • Remove the burnt clothing
  • Run cool water over a burnt area
  • Gently clean the injured area
  • Gently dry 
  • Apply antibiotic such as Silver Sulphadiazine
  • Use a sterile bandage to cover burns
  • Take tetanus vaccination, if required

 Second-degree burns
  • Burns extends to middle skin layer, dermis 
  • Swelling, redness, and pain observed
  • A burnt area may turn white on touch
  • Blisters develop, that ooze a clear fluid 
  • Scars may develop
  • Restricts movement, if an injury occurs at joint
  • Dehydration may occur
  • Healing time varies, depends on the extent of an injury
 
Treatment
  • Clean the affected area thoroughly
  • Gently dry
  • Apply antibiotic cream over the affected area
  • Make the patient lie down
  • Keep burnt body part at a raised level
  • A skin graft may be required
  • Physical therapy may be essential to aid mobility 
  • Splints may be used to rest affected joints 
  • Hospitalization is essential

 Third-degree burns 
  • Damage occurs to all 3 skin layers
  • Destroys adjacent hair follicles, sweat glands, nerve endings 
  • Lack of pain due to destroyed nerves
  • The injured area does not turn white on touch
  • No blisters observed
  • Swelling occurs
  • The skin develops a leathery texture 
  • Discoloration of skin observed
  • Scars develop 
  • Crusty surfaces (Eschars) develop-impairs circulation 
  • Dehydration occurs resulting in shock 
  • Symptoms may worsen with time 
  • Disfigurement may result 
  • Healing depends on the extent of the injury 
  • 90% body surface injury results in death 
  • 60% injury in elderly, fatal 
 Treatment 
  • Requires immediate hospital care 
  • Dehydration treated through the intravenous fluid supply 
  • Oxygen is administered 
  • Eschars are surgically opened 
  • Periodically run clean cool water over burns 
  • A nutritious diet helps to heal quickly 
  • Regular monitoring essential 
  • Mental Depression treated by anti-depressants 
 Prevention
  • Install a smoke alarm in your home
  • Employ 'children friendly' safety measures at home
  • Avoid synthetic clothing while cooking 
  • Carry out fire drills at home and workplace


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