How to treat Burns and Scalds (Burns and Scalds First Aid)

Burns and Scald is a damage to the skin and/or the soft tissue, muscle and bone under the skin from contact with hear, chemical or electricity.   The longer the contact, the worse the burn may be.  A scald is a burn or injury to the skin or flesh by hot liquid or steam.


Burns are classified according to the severity of damage to body tissues:

• First degree burns  affect only the top or the first layer of the skin.  The skin can be red, dry or swollen. These burns may peel and are usually painful.  A mild sunburn or a slight scalding usually results in first degree burns

• Second degree burns affect the two top layers of skin.  The skin can be red, swollen and have some blisters.  These burns are painful and the pain may be severe. It can be fatal if more than one square inch of skin, causes a lot of blistering or is on the hand, face or groin, medical attention is required.

• Third degree burns damage all three layers of skin. They may even harm tissue, muscle, nerves, bones, white waxy, or charred black.  These burns are very painful or if the nerves are destroyed, painless.  The burned area may ooze large amounts of clear liquid.  Medical attention is required for all third degree burns.  There may be permanent scars from the burn.

Causes

• Touching a hot surface can cause burns
• Steam, hot liquids, flame and some chemicals also cause burns

Complications

• Shock (paleness), rapid breathing, cold sweat, clammy skin, drowsiness, fast pulse rate, loss of consciousness)
• Bacterial infection
• Internal damage, in case of electrical burns

What you can do?

• For small first or second degree burns

Soak the area in cool water or apply a cold, wet compress on it.  Do not use ice water, unless that is the only source of cold available, because this can increase the injury by causing hypothermia. The wet, cooling action helps stop any more burning below the skin.

Cover the burn with a clean, dry, preferably non stick dressing or cloth that covers the entire burn area.

Burned skin can itch for weeks and is sensitive to the sun for up to a year after it has healed.  Remember to apply sunscreen on the area to prevent further damage.

 Check to see whether a tetanus shot is needed

If you see any signs of infection on the burned area, call your doctor.  Infants, elderly adults and people with diabetes, kidney disease or other chronic conditions may be at  greater risk of infection.

• For severe burns:

If a person’s clothes are on fire, put out the fire with a blanket, towel, rug or coat.  Wrap it over the flames.  Press down to keep air from reaching the fire.  The person may struggle or try to run.  Make the person lie still on the floor.

 Pull away bits of clothing that may be smoldering. Leave  alone cloth that sticks to the skin but is not burning.  Emergency room workers  can take off these stuck pieces of cloth safely.

 Call emergency or, of the burn is not too large, take the person to a doctor right away. Do not let the burn victim drive.  If you cannot get him to a hospital right away, treat him for shock.

 Try to get the burn victim, If conscious and not vomiting, to  drink warm water.  The water will help replace fluids from the burn.

Check to see whether a tetanus shot is needed.

Ways to prevent it:

• Read labels of all household products and follow all precautions. Put potentially dangerous substances in safety containers.
• Wear protective clothing, gloves, and goggles when handling chemicals.
• Never store household products in food or drink containers.
• Store chemicals in safe places immediately after use, and keep them out of reach of children.

Watch this video to learn what is the First Aid of Burns and Scalds

This video will explain about first aid treatment for burns and scalds to relieve pain, to prevent or treat shock, and to prevent infection. This video will also discusses the different types of burns and demonstrates the proper treatment for each. Shows applications of appropriate bandages and cover dressings, and emphasizes the correct and prompt treatment for physical shock

 

You will know the right procedure of treating first to third degree burns on this video.