BURNS - FIRST AID

 




FIRST AID FOR BURNS

First step is to determine the depth of wound or how much damage the nurn has caused. Depending on the depth of the damage it is classified to



1. First degree burns

2. Second degree burns

3. Third degree burns



First-degree burns are usually limited to redness (erythema), a white plaque and minor pain at the site of injury. It affect the top layer (epidermis) of the skin. Most sunburns can be included as first-degree burns. First-degree burns are most often caused by brief contact with either dry or moist heat (called a thermal burn) or chemicals; spending too much time in the sun (sunburn); or friction (such as by rubbing the skin against a rug or rope). When a burn is caused by hot water or steam, it is called a scald. The most common sources of heat that cause first-degree burns are hot water, cigarettes, hot grease, and hot beverages.

Skin with a first-degree burn is red, sore, and sensitive to the touch. It may also be moist, slightly swollen, or itchy. Sunburns are often accompanied by headache and low fever. When lightly pressed, the reddened skin whitens, which is called blanching. First-degree burns do not blister and do not leave a scar.



Second-degree Burns affect both the outer and the underlying layer (dermis) of skin . Symptoms are pain, swelling, red skin with blisters (fluid-filled sac). Second-degree burns involve the epidermis and part of the dermis layer of skin. The burn site appears red, blistered, and may be swollen and painful.

In most cases, second-degree burns are caused by the scald injuries,flames or skin that briefly comes in contact with a hot object. Superficial second-degree burns usually heal in about three weeks, as long as the wound is kept clean and protected. Deep second-degree burns may take longer than three weeks to heal.

Third-degree burn is referred to as a full thickness burn. This type of burn destroys the outer layer of skin (epidermis) and the entire layer beneath (or dermis).

Symptoms are dry and leathery skin / black, white, brown, or yellow skin / swelling / lack of pain because nerve endings have been destroyed

Large third-degree burns heal slowly and poorly without medical attention. Because the epidermis and hair follicles are destroyed, new skin will not grow.





FIRST AID METHODS

For minor burns, including first-degree burns and second-degree burns limited to an area no larger than 3 inches (7.6 centimeters) in diameter, take the following action:

# Cool the burn. Hold the burned area under cool (not cold) running water for 10 or 15 minutes or until the pain subsides. If this is impractical, immerse the burn in cool water or cool it with cold compresses. Cooling the burn reduces swelling by conducting heat away from the skin. Don't put ice on the burn.


# Cover the burn with a sterile gauze bandage. Don't use fluffy cotton, or other material that may get lint in the wound. Wrap the gauze loosely to avoid putting pressure on burned skin. Bandaging keeps air off the burn, reduces pain and protects blistered skin.


# Take an over-the-counter pain reliever. These include aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), naproxen (Aleve) or acetaminophen (Tylenol, others). Use caution when giving aspirin to children or teenagers. Though aspirin is approved for use in children older than age 2, children and teenagers recovering from chickenpox or flu-like symptoms should never take aspirin. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns.

Minor burns usually heal without further treatment. They may heal with pigment changes, meaning the healed area may be a different color from the surrounding skin. Watch for signs of infection, such as increased pain, redness, fever, swelling or oozing. If infection develops, seek medical help. Avoid re-injuring or tanning if the burns are less than a year old — doing so may cause more extensive pigmentation changes. Use sunscreen on the area for at least a year.

Caution

# Don't use ice. Putting ice directly on a burn can cause a burn victim's body to become too cold and cause further damage to the wound.
# Don't apply butter or ointments to the burn. This could cause infection.
# Don't break blisters. Broken blisters are more vulnerable to infection.

Third-degree burn
The most serious burns involve all layers of the skin and cause permanent tissue damage. Fat, muscle and even bone may be affected. Areas may be charred black or appear dry and white. Difficulty inhaling and exhaling, carbon monoxide poisoning, or other toxic effects may occur if smoke inhalation accompanies the burn.

For major burns, call emergency medical help. Until an emergency unit arrives, follow these steps:

1. Don't remove burned clothing. However, do make sure the victim is no longer in contact with smoldering materials or exposed to smoke or heat.
2. Don't immerse large severe burns in cold water. Doing so could cause a drop in body temperature (hypothermia) and deterioration of blood pressure and circulation (shock).
3. Check for signs of circulation (breathing, coughing or movement). If there is no breathing or other sign of circulation, begin CPR.
4. Elevate the burned body part or parts. Raise above heart level, when possible.
5. Cover the area of the burn. Use a cool, moist, sterile bandage; clean, moist cloth; or moist towels.

Get a tetanus shot. Burns are susceptible to tetanus. Doctors recommend you get a tetanus shot every 10 years. If your last shot was more than five years ago, your doctor may recommend a tetanus shot booster.


Source:

http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/toplevel/home/home.cfm

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/first-aid-burns/FA00022