Home: Burns
Burns: First Aid
Burns is termed as the wounds or injuries caused to the skin by any of the sources such as the fire, flames, chemicals, electricity, radiation, etc.
Burns can be classified into many ways:
According to the depth of the burns injury:
- Superficial – superficial partial thickness burns
- Deep-Deep partial thickness burns.
- Full thickness burns
According to the degree of the burns:
First degree burns:
It is also called as superficial burns.
The epidermis that is the outer layer of the skin is destroyed; the some portion of the dermis may be involved in the damage. The wound is usually red in colour, dry, slightly oedematous and may be painful.
It is considered to be the minor burns; not a serious one.
Complete recovery is possible; almost within a week’s duration.
Second –degree burns:
When the entire outer layer and major portion of the dermis of the skin are destroyed or burned, it is termed as the second degree burns.
There is the formation of the blisters, the area involved becomes severely painful, and moderate to severe oedema is present. The blisters may break to thus predisposing the wound area to infections. If left untreated, such wound becomes infected and may get transformed into a third degree burns which is even more complicated to treat.
If the wound is too large, immediately seek medical help; else treat it as minor burns.
Third –degree burns:
It covers the entire epidermis –dermis, subcutaneous tissues and muscular tissues may also be involved in the burns area. Bones may be involved. These are the most serious of all the burns which calls for an emergency first aid to save victim’s life.
The wound is generally dry, pale, painless and oedematous.
Due to the excessive loss of fluids from the body the person may go in the state of hypovolemic shock.
Burns can also be classified on the basis of the extent of the burns injury:
Percentage of the total body surface area involved is calculated to determine the extent of the injury using the rule of nines.
First aid management for the burns injury:
There are certain aims of the first aid treatment of the burns wound:
To prevent the infection, and further destruction, of the skin.
To preserve the safe skin, maintain its integrity.
To reduce the anxiety of the patient.
To immediately provide the medical assistance.
When you are at the site where you are witnessing the burns, you can help out the needy by managing that situation, at the scene; providing the first aid care.
Managing the minor burns (first and second degree burns):
The immediate step is to get the person out of the fire or the burns area. If the clothes have caught the fire, you can remove that clothes or instantly wrap the patient with the woollen cloth. This usually accounts for the major burns; however the basic concept is to remove the heat source. You may sometimes need to call 911 immediately.
The second important step is to cool the burns; the cool water may be poured or the area burned submerged into the cool water; this reduces the oedema and provides transient pain relief. Never directly put ice on the burned areas as it further damages the area.
After the cold application, you can wrap the burned areas using the sterile gauze bandages; take care to see that it is neither too tight nor too loose. The wounds can thus be protected against the infection.
If the chemical burns have taken place, you should splash out the area with appropriate liquids. (Acids diluted with bases.)
Provide pain relief with the over -the -counter analgesics.
Some do’s:
Call 911 immediately in case of major burns.
Assess the person’s level of consciousness; give sips of water, if conscious.
Remove the clothing, personal assets such as jewellery, etc.
Cool the area with cool water.
Always keep the burnt area covered.
Some don’ts:
Do not apply ice on the burned areas; it may cause frostbite and further damage the area.
Do not apply flour, baking soda, butter, ink or any antiseptics on the affected area;
Minimal touch is done to prevent further damage, promote wound healing and prevent the infection.
Do not disturb or break the blisters; they are vulnerable to acquire infection.
Managing the major burns:
Call 911 immediately or any other medical emergency assistance.
Better not to remove the clothing that has burned.
Such patients are prone to go in a state of shock, so it is advisable not to immerse them in the water.
Elevate the extremities to reduce the oedema or swelling.
Cover the burns areas using sterile gauze bandages, moist clean cloth or gauzes.
CPR may be performed if the airway, breathing and circulation has impaired.
Disclaimer
This site provides you with the general guidelines and information regarding the first aid measures for the various conditions or health related problems. It is not a substitute for the medical advice or the formal first aid training. It will not be responsible or liable in case one tries to make diagnosis based on the provided information. You always need to consult the doctor and emergency department in case of all the serious emergencies rather than just relying upon the supposed guidelines.
