Content

• Steps
• Advice
• Warning

Burns are common, but painful. Mild burns can heal without much medical attention. However, severe burns require special care to fight infection and reduce serious scars. Before treating a burn, it is important to know the type of burn - or degree of burn.

Steps

Part 1 of 4: Determination of Burns

1. 

   Identify a first degree burn. First degree burns are the most common type of burns, usually resulting from rapid contact with hot objects and the sun. Damage occurs only in the outermost layer of the skin. These burns are usually red, slightly swollen, and may or may not be painful. This can be treated at home, as minor burns usually don't require professional treatment. The outermost layer of skin can heal itself over time with care.
   • First degree burns are classified as "minor burns" and are similarly treated. Sometimes minor burns also require special care, for example when the whole body gets sunburned, but does not require medical treatment.

2. 

   
   
   Determine a second degree burn. The skin may become blotchy, blistering and more painful. Second degree burns occur from quick contact with extremely hot objects (such as boiling water), long exposure to hot objects or prolonged exposure to the sun. Unless the burn is on your hands, feet, groin or on your face, treat it like a first degree burn. If there is a blister, don't break it. If it does break, keep it clean by rinsing with water and applying an antibacterial ointment. You can use a bandage or other type of gauze over the ointment area. Change the bandage every day.
   • Second degree burns damage two layers of the skin. If your second degree burn is more than 8 cm wide, either on your hands, feet, joints or genitals or does not go away for several weeks, you should see your doctor for treatment.

3. 

   
   
   Determine a third degree burn. Third degree burns are the most serious and require immediate medical attention. Third degree burns occur from prolonged contact with hot objects and three layers of skin are burned, sometimes causing damage to muscles, fat, and bones. The burn is thick, white or black by looking at it. The degree of burning pain can vary depending on the degree of nerve damage in the skin layer (pain receptors). Sometimes these burns appear "wet" due to broken cells and leaking protein.
   • Third degree burns are always classified as severe burns and require medical attention as soon as possible.

4. 

   
   
   Identify the cold burn. These "burns" occur when the skin is exposed to low temperatures such as snow or ice for a long time. The affected area is red, white or black, and has a burning sensation as the skin warms. A cold "burn" is still considered a burn because it damages the tissue layers of the skin.
   • In the majority of cases, cold burns need to be treated like a severe burn and require medical treatment.
   • Warm skin in water at 37 ° C to 39 ° C immediately after cold exposure.

5. 

   Identify a chemical burn. Chemical burns are another type of burn where the skin comes in contact with chemicals that damage its layers. Chemical burns can appear as red areas, rash, blisters and open wounds on the skin. The first step is always to determine what chemical caused the burn and to call a poison control center immediately.
   • Contact poison control immediately if you think you have had a chemical burn. These burns require care to neutralize chemicals and keep them from spreading.
   • Wash chemical burns with plenty of water. can react with water and cause additional damage.
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Part 2 of 4: Treating Minor Burns

1. 

   Let cool water run over the burn. Immediately run cool water over the burn. This will help prevent further damage to the skin. Leave the burned area under cool running water for about 10-15 minutes or until the pain subsides. Avoid using cold water as it can damage the skin around the burn.
   • The sudden switch from extreme hot to extreme cold only slows the wound healing process.

2. 

   
   
   Quickly remove tight clothing and jewelry. As soon as possible or while washing the burn, remove anything that might squeeze in the skin if the wound is swollen. Take off any doubts. This will help blood flow to the wound and start the healing process. Taking off tight clothing and jewelry also prevents further damage to the skin.

3. 

   
   
   Apply a cold compress. Although it is not recommended to use cold water, use a cold compress or ice wrapped in a towel. Apply the gauze to the skin for 10-15 minutes, wait 30 minutes, and reapply for another 10-15 minutes.
   • Never place ice or gauze directly on the burn, as it will damage the skin. Instead, put a towel in the middle.

4. 

   
   
   Take an over-the-counter pain reliever. An over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen, acetaminophen, aspirin, or naproxen can help ease the discomfort caused by the symptoms. If the pain does not relieve after several hours, take another dose. Avoid giving aspirin to young children or when you have just recovered from colds, flu or chickenpox.
   • Follow the directions on the medicine box. Instructions may vary depending on the drug you choose.

5. 

   Clean the burn. After washing your hands, use soap and water to wash off the burn and prevent infection. Apply an antibiotic like Neosporin after washing it to keep the burn clean. Aloe plant can also soothe the skin. Look for aloe products that are low in additives. Antibiotics or aloe can also help keep the bandage from sticking.
   • Do not poke blisters while washing the burn, as they actually help protect the skin from infection.Be careful not to break the blisters or leak the water inside, as the body can heal mild blisters on its own. No antibiotic ointment is needed if the blisters are not broken. But if the wound breaks, or the wound opens, you should take an antibiotic to fight the infection.

6. 

   Gently apply ointment to the wound and then cover it with a bandage. You may not need a first-degree burn, the blisters won't break, or the wound won't open. However, small second degree burns need to be covered to avoid infection. Gently apply a gauze gauze to the burn and fix it with medical tape. Change the dressing every day.
   • Do not put gauze directly on the wound. Always apply creams or ointments before applying gauze. If you don't, when you remove the gauze, the new skin will come off as well.
   • Remove the gauze in the direction of the hair growth around the wound. If the gauze becomes attached to the wound, use warm water or a saline solution to soak the affected gauze to make it easier to remove. Make a salt solution by adding 1 teaspoon of salt to about 4 liters of water.

7. 

   Avoid using home remedies such as egg whites, butter, or tea. Online is full of "miraculous" solutions to burn burns, but their effectiveness is rarely proven by scientific research. According to reputable sources such as the Red Cross, these treatments can make the condition worse because bacteria in the materials can lead to infection.
   • Natural moisturizers like aloe or soybeans can help with sunburn.

8. 

   Watch the burn for infection. Notice the wound for any color changes to red, brown, or black. Also, watch for green layers of fat around the wound. If the burn does not heal after several weeks you will need medical attention. A burn that doesn't heal can be a sign of complications, infection, or a more serious burn. Let your doctor know if you experience any of the following:
   • have warmth
   • have softness
   • stiffness in the affected area
   • fever above 39 ° C or lower than 36.5 ° C (these signs indicate a serious infection, and you need immediate medical attention)

9. 

   Relieve itching with topical medications. Itching is a common complaint that many patients complain about during the early stages of healing after a minor burn. Topical medications like aloe or petroleum based jelly can help relieve the discomfort caused by the itch. You can also take antihistamines to help relieve itching. advertisement

Part 3 of 4: Handling Severe Burns

1. 

   Call emergency services immediately. Don't try to treat a severe burn at home. Severe burns require immediate treatment by a qualified person. Call the ambulance, doctor or emergency room right away.
   • Never try to cure yourself a severe burn. The following are the simple first steps to take while waiting for an emergency:

2. 

   Separate the victim from the heat source. Do everything you can to prevent further severe burns and injuries. Stop the heat source or remove the victim.
   • Never pull or move victim by touching burned areas. If you do, you could further damage the skin and potentially open the wound, or widen the open wound. This can cause terrible pain to the victim and lead to shock.

3. 

   Cover the burn. Apply a cool, damp washcloth to the burned area for protection while you wait for emergency help. Do not use ice or immerse the burned area in cold water. This can cause a sudden drop in body temperature or cause more damage in sensitive areas.

4. 

   Eliminate all irritating chemicals. If the burn was caused by chemicals, wash off any remaining chemicals on your skin. Let cool water run over the burned area or apply a cool compress to the skin while you wait for emergency help. Do not try any of the home remedies of any chemical burns at home.

5. 

   Raise the burned area above the heart of the victim. Only do this if you can elevate the wound without causing further damage.

6. 

   Call emergency services for shock immediately. Watch for shock symptoms: rapid or weak pulse, low blood pressure, cold skin, disorientation or loss of consciousness, nausea, agitation. If you notice symptoms of shock from third degree burns, get emergency medical attention. Call an ambulance to quickly bring the victim to hospital. This is the most dangerous life-threatening situation in a already dangerous situation.
   • A third degree burn can be shocking because the body loses a large amount of fluid when a large area of ​​skin is burned. The body cannot function properly with such a small amount of fluid and blood.
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Part 4 of 4: Understanding How to Treat Severe Burns in Hospitals

1. 

   Take off any clothing and jewelry. The victim can quickly be transferred from hospital to a burn center for treatment. So take off all the clothes or jewelry on the victim if you find that they can cling to the body when the body swells.
   • The burn can become so swollen that dangerously compresses certain parts of the body (cavity syndrome). If this happens, surgery will be needed to relieve the pressure and help blood circulation and nerves work.

2. 

   Identify vital signs and give oxygen. In all severe burns, doctors can give the victim 100% oxygen by intubation. Survival signs should be monitored immediately. Thanks to that, the doctor can determine the current status of the patient and make a specific treatment regimen.

3. 

   Rehydrate the victim. Prevent fluid loss and rehydrate your body with a solution of I.V. Determine the type and amount of liquid based on the burn condition.

4. 

   Give pain relievers and antibiotics. Give pain reliever medicine so the victim can cope with the pain. Antibiotics are also very important.
   • Antibiotics are needed because the body's main immune system (skin) has been impaired, and medication is needed to prevent bacteria from entering the wound and causing infection.

5. 

   Adjust the patient's diet. The patient's diet should be rich in protein, rich in calories, so the body is provided with the essential protein and energy needed to repair the damaged cells caused by burns. advertisement

Advice

• Victims of third degree or higher burns must be transported by ambulance (or emergency helicopter, depending on distance) to the nearest burn treatment center.
• Wash your hands well before touching or caring for the burn. Wear gloves if possible.
• Use only cool, clean, pure, OR saline water if available to provide first aid for a severe burn. Protect the burned area with a sterile or clean cloth during an emergency call.
• This advice is not a substitute for medical care. If in doubt, consult a doctor right away.
• Cover the burn lightly or heavily with a wrap if the burn is not available. This will help avoid infection on the way into the hospital.
• Do not leave a chemical burn under water unless the chemical is known, as doing so may cause the chemical to spread further on the skin. Water can aggravate some chemical burns such as lime.
• Do not let the burn come into contact with toxic substances.
• Applying aloe vera can soothe the burn.

Warning

• See a doctor right away after a severe burn. Severe burns do not go away on their own and require medical attention.
• Burns caused by radioactive materials are a very different and serious kind. Get medical help right away if you have any suspicions related to radiation and take steps to protect yourself and the victim.