Health > First Aid >Burns
First aid for burns
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
First-degree burns
* Injuries are superficial / mild
* Swelling& redness of the injured area
* Pain develops
* No blisters seen
* Burned area becomes white on touch
* Takes 3-6 days to heal
Treatment
* Remove patient from heat source
* Remove the burnt clothing
* Run cool water over burnt area
* Gently clean the injured area
* Gently dry
* Apply anti biotic 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
* Burnt area may turn white on touch
* Blisters develop, that ooze a clear fluid
* Scars may develop
* Restricts movement, if injury occurs at joint
* Dehydration may occur
* Healing time varies, depends on extent of injury
Treatment
* Clean the affected area thoroughly
* Gently dry
* Apply antibiotic cream over affected area
* Make the patient lie down
* Keep burnt body part at a raised level
* 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
* Injured area does not turn white on touch
* No blisters observed
* Swelling occurs
* Skin develops 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 extent of injury
* 90% body surface injury results in death v
* 60% injury in elderly, fatal
Treatment
* Requires immediate hospital care
* Dehydration treated through intravenous fluid supply
* Oxygen is administered
* Eschars are surgically opened
* Periodically run clean cool water over burns
* Nutritious diet helps to heal quickly
* Regular monitoring essential
* Mental Depression treated by anti-depressants
Prevention
* Install smoke alarm in your home
* Employ 'children friendly' safety measures at home
* Avoid synthetic clothing while cooking
* Carry out fire drills at home and work place
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