Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 4: Determining the degree of the burn
• Part 2 of 4: Treating minor burns
• Part 3 of 4: Treating severe burns
• Part 4 of 4: Understanding the treatment of severe burns in the hospital
• Tips
• Warnings

Burns are a common but very painful injury. You can treat minor burns yourself without too much medical attention, but severe burns should be treated by a doctor to prevent infections and severe scarring. Before treating a burn yourself, it is important to know how severe the burn is and what type it is.

To step

Part 1 of 4: Determining the degree of the burn

1. Find out if you have a first degree burn. First-degree burns are the most common and usually result from minor burns, brief contact with hot objects, or from being in the sun for too long. First degree burns only damage the top layer of the skin. The wound will likely look red, be slightly swollen, and may be slightly painful. You can treat a first-degree burn at home, as there is usually no need to seek medical attention. The outer skin layer can repair itself with some care and time.
   • First degree burns are classified as "minor burns" and should be treated accordingly. Sometimes a large area of ​​the skin can have first degree burns, such as if you have been in the sun for too long, but you don't need to see a doctor for this.
2. Find out if you have a second degree burn. The skin may look blotchy, blisters may form, and the pain will be much more severe. You can get second-degree burns by briefly touching very hot things such as boiling water, by touching hot objects for a long time, and by sitting in the sun for a long time. You can treat the second-degree burn as a minor burn unless it is on your face, feet, hands, or in your groin. If you have blisters, don't puncture them. If the blister does open on its own, keep it clean by rinsing with water and applying antibacterial ointment. You can also cover the ointment applied to your skin with a bandage or other bandage. This dressing should be changed daily.
   • A second-degree burn is deeper and burns through two layers of your skin. Call your doctor for medical attention if the burn is greater than 7-8 centimeters, covers your feet, hands, joints, or groin, or has not healed after a few weeks.
3. See if you have a third degree burn. These are the most serious and seek immediate medical attention for treatment. Third degree burns occur when the skin comes into contact with a hot object for an extended period of time and it burns through all three layers of the skin. Sometimes this causes damage to muscles, fat and bones. The wound appears leathery and may turn white or black. The pain can vary, depending on the degree of damage to the nerves in the skin layers (pain receptors). The burns may appear "wet" due to cell rupture and protein leakage.
   • Third degree burns are always classified as very serious burns that require medical attention as soon as possible.
4. Check for frostbite. You can also get "burns" when your skin is exposed to very extreme cold for an extended period of time, such as from snow or ice. The area will turn bright red, white, or black and will have a strong burning sensation when the skin is warmed. A frost injury is also seen as a burn because the tissue in the skin layers is damaged.
   • In most cases, treat a frostbite as a severe burn and seek immediate medical attention.
   • After exposure to cold, immediately warm the skin in water at a temperature of 37-39 ° C.
5. Determine if you have a chemical burn. This is another type of burn that results from the skin coming into contact with harmful chemicals that damage the skin's layers. Burns like this often cause red spots, rashes, blisters and open sores on your skin. The first step is always to identify the substance that caused the burn. Also call the National Poisons Information Center directly.
   • Contact the National Poisons Information Center immediately if you think you have a chemical burn. The telephone number is 030 274 ​​88 88. The chemical must be neutralized and it must be ensured that it cannot spread further.
   • Rinse chemical burns with plenty of water. However, do not use water for substances such as dry lime or elemental metals such as sodium, magnesium, phosphorus and lithium. These substances can react with water and cause further injuries.

Part 2 of 4: Treating minor burns

1. Run lukewarm water over the burn as soon as possible. This prevents the skin from getting further damaged. Hold the burn under lukewarm running water for 10-15 minutes or until the pain subsides. Do not use cold water as it can damage the skin around the wound.
   • The sudden transition from extreme heat to extreme cold will only slow the healing process.
2. Remove tight clothing or jewelry as soon as possible. As soon as possible or while flushing the wound, remove anything that could get trapped if your skin swells. When in doubt, take it off or take it off. This way enough blood can flow to the wound and healing can begin. Removing tight clothing and jewelry will also prevent further damage to the skin.
3. Apply a cold compress. If you cannot hold the wound under lukewarm running water, apply a cold compress or wrap an ice pack in a towel and place it on top. Keep the compress on the wound for 10-15 minutes, wait 30 minutes and then put it on for another 10-15 minutes.
   • Never put ice or a compress directly on the wound, as this can cause damage. Instead, put a towel between the skin and the ice.
4. Take a pain reliever. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, aspirin, and naproxen can help relieve symptoms. If the pain has not subsided after a few hours, take another dose of the drug. Do not give or take aspirin to young children if you are recovering from flu or chicken pox.
   • Follow the instructions on the packaging and in the package insert. They differ per type of medication.
5. Clean the burn. After washing your hands, clean the wound with soap and water to prevent infection. When you're done, apply an antibiotic ointment to keep the wound clean. Aloe vera can also soothe the skin. Look for aloe vera with as few additives as possible. Antibiotic ointment and aloe vera can also prevent the dressing from sticking to the wound.
   • Do not poke the blisters when cleaning the wound, as blisters protect your skin from infection. Be careful not to puncture the blister or let the moisture flow out. The body is able to let small blisters heal itself. You don't need an antibiotic ointment if the blisters are still intact. However, if not, or if the wound is open, you should use an antibiotic ointment to prevent infection.
6. Cover the wound lightly with ointment and gauze. You don't need to put on a bandage about a first-degree burn, blisters that are intact, or skin that is not open. However, for minor second-degree burns, you will need to put on a bandage to prevent infection. Cover the burn lightly with gauze and secure it gently with plaster tape. Change the gauze every day.
   • Never apply gauze directly to a wound.A wound should always be covered with a cream or ointment before applying gauze. Otherwise, when you remove the gauze, all new skin will be torn off.
   • Remove the gauze in the direction of the hair growth around the wound. If the gauze is sticking to the wound, use lukewarm water or saline solution to make it easier to remove the gauze that is stuck. Make a saline solution by adding 1 teaspoon of salt to 4 liters of water.
7. Do not use home remedies such as egg whites, honey, butter, and tea. The Internet is full of all kinds of "miracle remedies" for burns, but there is not much scientific evidence that they actually work. According to many reliable sources, such as the Red Cross, they are correct bad for burns, as they contain bacteria that can lead to infections.
   • Natural moisturizers such as aloe vera and soy can help with sunburn.
8. Make sure the wound does not become infected. Keep an eye on the wound and see if it changes color to red, brown, or black. Also note whether there is a green discoloration in the fat layers under and around the wound. If the wound has not healed within a few weeks, see a doctor. Failure to heal a burn may indicate complications, infection or a more serious burn. Let your doctor know if you have any of the following symptoms:
   • Heat around the wound
   • Sensitivity
   • Hard spots in the wound
   • Fever with a body temperature higher than 39 ° C or lower than 36.5 ° C (these are signs of a serious infection and you should seek immediate medical attention)
9. Soothe itching with topical agents. Itching during the early stages of the healing process is a common complaint among patients with a minor burn. Topical agents such as aloe vera and petroleum jelly can soothe the unpleasant itchy feeling. You can also take oral antihistamines to relieve itching.

Part 3 of 4: Treating severe burns

1. Call 112 immediately. Do not try to treat severe burns yourself. These should be treated by a doctor right away. Immediately call an ambulance or go to the doctor or emergency room right away.
   • Treat a severe burn never self. The following measures are only proactive steps you can take while waiting for medical help.
2. Carefully remove the victim from the heat source. Do everything you can to avoid further burns or injuries. Turn off heat or relocate injured person.
   • Do not pull or grab the person by the burned area. Doing so can further damage the skin and potentially open the wound even further. This causes a lot of pain for the victim and can lead to shock.
3. Cover the wound. Cover the burned area with a lukewarm damp cloth to protect it until the emergency services arrive. Do not use ice or immerse the wound in cold water. This can cause hypothermia or further damage to the skin.
4. Remove chemicals. If the burn was caused by chemicals, clear the skin of residual chemicals. Hold the area under a lukewarm tap or apply a cool compress while you wait for emergency services. Do not use home remedies for a chemical burn.
5. Hold the burn over the victim's heart. Only do this if you can keep the wound elevated without causing further damage.
6. Seek immediate help if the victim is in shock. Look for symptoms of shock: weak or rapid pulse, low blood pressure, clammy skin, confusion or unconsciousness, nausea and rebellion. If you see these symptoms in a third-degree burn, call 911 immediately. Have the victim quickly transported to hospital by ambulance. This is a life-threatening situation on top of an already existing dangerous situation.
   • Severe third-degree burns can cause shock because the body loses a significant amount of fluids when a large area is burned. The body cannot function normally when it has lost so much fluid and blood.

Part 4 of 4: Understanding the treatment of severe burns in the hospital

1. Remove clothing and jewelry. The victim may be immediately transferred to a burn center for treatment. Then remove any remaining clothing and jewelry that could pinch the body if swelling occurs.
   • The burns can become so swollen that certain parts of the body are dangerously compressed (compartment syndrome). If this happens, surgery may be necessary to lower the pressure. This can also improve blood flow and nerve function.
2. Monitor vital signs and provide oxygen. For severe burns, a doctor can insert a tube into the trachea through which pure oxygen flows. This is called intubation. The vital functions are immediately monitored. For example, the patient's current condition is assessed and a targeted treatment plan can be drawn up.
3. Make up for the victim's fluid deficiency. Stop the loss of fluids and make up for the shortages through an IV. Determine the type and amount of fluid needed based on the burn.
4. Give antibiotics and painkillers. Give painkillers to help the patient cope with the pain. Antibiotics are also critical.
   • Antibiotics are necessary because the body's main defense mechanism against infections (the skin) is weakened. Medication is required to prevent bacteria in the wound from causing infection.
5. Adjust the patient's diet. It is recommended to eat a lot of calories and a lot of protein. This helps the body get the energy and protein it needs to repair all of the damaged cells from the burn.

Tips

• Someone with third degree burns or worse should be transported to the nearest hospital by an ambulance (or trauma helicopter, depending on the patient's situation) as soon as possible.
• Wash your hands before handling or handling burns. Wear gloves whenever possible.
• As a first aid for severe burns, use only clean, clean, cool water OR saline solution if possible and cover the wound with a sterile or very clean cloth, such as a sheet. Immediately call the emergency medical services.
• The advice in this article does not replace medical advice. When in doubt, search right away professional medical assistance.
• Cover minor or severe burns with cling film if no gauze is available. This stops infections on the way to the hospital.
• Do not simply submerge a burn caused by unknown chemicals, as this may allow the chemicals to spread to the rest of your skin. Water can aggravate some chemical burns, such as wounds caused by lime.
• Do not expose the burn to harmful substances.

Warnings

• Get professional help right away for severe burns. These will not heal on their own without medical assistance.
• Burns caused by radioactive material are very different and very serious. Seek immediate medical attention if you suspect radiation and take steps to protect yourself and the patient.