First Aid for Burns

Introduction

Burns

          Burns are the injuries to the skin caused by:

        a)  Dry heat of open flame or molten hot metals or electricity.

        b)  Corrosive substances – acid and alkalies.

        c)   Friction.

        d)  Radiation.

Scalds

          Scalds are the burn injuries to the skin caused by wet heat such as:

        a)  Hot water.

        b)   Steam.

        c)   Hot oils or solvents.

Types of Burns/Scalds

    a)  First Degree:        Only the outer layer of skin is affected. Its symptoms are redness, swelling and acute pain. Healing may take a few days.

    c)   Third Degree:       It is also known as full thickness burns, extend through all the skin layers into the underlying fat muscles and bone. Characteristics include white, charred or cherry red skin and dry appearance. No pain and no swelling. Healing may take quite a long time and require grafting.

Severity of Burns/Scalds

a)  Minor:

·       Less than 20% of the body surface is affected by 1^st Degree burns,

·       Less than 15% of the body surface is affected by 2^nd Degree burns,

·       Less than 2% of the body surface is affected by 3^rd Degree burn, excluding face, hands, feet, groin or major joints.

     b)   Moderate:

·       20% to 75% of body surface by 1^st Degree burns,

·       15% to 30% of body surface by 2^nd Degree burns,

·      Less than 10% of body surface by 3^rd Degree burns excluding face, hands, feet, groin or major joints.

     c)    Critical:

·       More than 75% of body surface by 1^st Degree burns,

·       More than 30% of body surface by 2^nd Degree burns,

·       More than 10% of the body by 3^rd Degree burns.

·       2^nd and 3^rd Degree burns involving the face, hands, feet, groin or major joints, all burns complicated by injuries to the respiratory tracts and other soft tissues and bones.

Causes

          The causes of burns are many and varied as:

        ·       Contact with molten metals

        ·       Splashes of hot liquids

        ·       Splashes of chemicals

        ·       Leakage of steam under pressure

        ·       Contact with hot surfaces of vessels or pipes

        ·       Ignition of clothes, Etc.

First Aid Measures

1. Dip the burn in cool or ordinary water for at least 15 minutes or till burning sensation stops which will cool the burn injury without causing further damage. This should be done within 45 minutes from the time of injury.
2. Chemical burns should be washed with water for at least 15 minutes. Never try to neutralize the chemical as this may cause more damage.
3. Dry or solid chemicals should be brushed off first before using water for washing as these may provide more heat.
4. Move the victim to safe place.
5. Do not try to remove charred clothing as this may cause more injury to the skin.
6. Remove jewelry items at the earliest, before swelling.
7. Do not break blisters.
8. Do not apply any ointment.
9. Cover the burnt skin with sterile dressing or clean cloth.
10. Get medical attention at the earliest.