Burns - First Aid and Emergency Treatment Guide | Medindia

Written by Dr. Reeja Tharu | Medically Reviewed by Dr. Sunil Shroff on May 07, 2010

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What are burns?

Injuries due to heat/ chemicals/ electricity/ radiation
Common heat injuries due to fire, hot liquids, steam
Burns due to heat / chemicals - through skin contact
Severe burns affect muscles, fat and bones
Older people/ children - particularly vulnerable

Burns: Children

Categories of burns

First, second and third degree
Categorization depends on severity of tissue damage
Check extent of burn before deciding self treatment
Seek help if burn is over a couple of inches in diameter, or
If it involves large sections of the hands, feet, face, groin or buttocks, or a major joint

First-degree burns

Injuries are superficial / mild
Swelling& redness of the injured area
Pain develops
No blisters seen
Burned area becomes white on touch
Takes 3-6 days to heal

Treatment

Remove patient from heat source
Remove the burnt clothing
Run cool water over burnt area

Burns Treatment: Cool Water

Gently clean the injured area
Gently dry
Apply anti biotic such as Silver Sulphadiazine
Use a sterile bandage to cover burns
Take tetanus vaccination, if required

Burns Treatment: Vaccination

Second-degree burns

Burns extends to middle skin layer, dermis
Swelling, redness and pain observed

Second Degree Burns: Pain

Burnt area may turn white on touch
Blisters develop, that ooze a clear fluid
Scars may develop

Second Degree Burns: Scars

Restricts movement, if injury occurs at joint
Dehydration may occur
Healing time varies, depends on extent of injury

Treatment

Clean the affected area thoroughly
Gently dry
Apply antibiotic cream over affected area

Burns Treatment: Antibiotic Cream

Make the patient lie down
Keep burnt body part at a raised level
Skin graft may be required
Physical therapy may be essential to aid mobility
Splints may be used to rest affected joints
Hospitalization is essential

Burns Treatment: Hospitalization

Third-degree burns

Damage occurs to all 3 skin layers
Destroys adjacent hair follicles, sweat glands, nerve endings
Lack of pain due to destroyed nerves

Third Degree Burns: Destroyed Nerves

Injured area does not turn white on touch
No blisters observed
Swelling occurs
Skin develops leathery texture
Discoloration of skin observed
Scars develop
Crusty surfaces (Eschars) develop-impairs circulation
Dehydration occurs resulting in shock

Third Degree Burns: Dehydration

Symptoms may worsen with time
Disfigurement may result
Healing depends on extent of injury
90% body surface injury results in death
60% injury in elderly, fatal

Treatment

Requires immediate hospital care
Dehydration treated through intravenous fluid supply
Oxygen is administered
Eschars are surgically opened
Periodically run clean cool water over burns
Nutritious diet helps to heal quickly

Treatment of Burns: Nutritious Diet

Regular monitoring essential
Mental Depression treated by anti-depressants

Prevention

Install smoke alarm in your home
Employ 'children friendly' safety measures at home
Avoid synthetic clothing while cooking

Prevention of Burns: Avoid Synthetic Clothing while Cooking

Carry out fire drills at home and work place

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ViratKohli_rules, India

what are 4th degree burns

jaisonJames, India

if it is good for useing cooling water for 2nd deg burns......?

swati72, India

This is written very nicely and easy to understand to younger children or elder ones..Nicely written...I am impressed

Bobby62, United States

can you apply cool water to second degree burn in immediate care before treatment

jeril, United Arab Emirates

`thanks for information

View all Comments (11)

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