How to treat burn

How to Treat a Burn

Burns are a very common injury. Minor burns will heal without much medical attention, but severe burns require special care to prevent infection and reduce the severity of scarring. So, it is important to understand what kind of burn you have in order to determine the best treatment. Burns are classified according to severity.

Steps

Classify the Burn Before Treatment

Determine the severity of the burn. The severity of the burn will determine what treatment is best.^[1]

1. 1
   

   First-degree burn: This is the least severe burn, where the skin will look somewhat red and the burn will be painful.
   First-degree burn: This is the least severe burn, where the skin will look somewhat red and the burn will be painful. This kind of burn only involves the outer layer of skin (the epidermis). Sunburns are an example of first-degree burns.

   
   

2. 2
   

   Second-degree burn: Second-degree burns are much more painful than first degree burns and are usually accompanied swelling and blisters.
   Second-degree burn: Second-degree burns are much more painful than first degree burns and are usually accompanied swelling and blisters. A bad sunburn or a sunburn on someone with very light skin can be considered a second-degree burn. The blisters are often the blisters are yellow in color and will pop on there own with new skin developing underneath (after the layer of crackly film breaks off). Second-degree burns related to the sun may or may not swell. Second degree burns occur when the epidermis has been burned through and the second layer of skin (the dermis) has also been burned.
3. 3
   

   Third-degree burn: A more severe burn, the skin may appear stiff and leathery in appearance.
   Third-degree burn: A more severe burn, the skin may appear stiff and leathery in appearance. Sometimes a third-degree burn will appear waxy white. Damage to the nerves can also occur and numbness can develop in the area. This is one of the most severe type of burns, third-degree burns occur when all the layers of the skin are burned through and the burn has reached the underlying tissue.
4. 4
   

   Fourth-degree burn: Depending on the extent of nerve damage, there may be no pain at all and the area will look blackened or charred.
   Fourth-degree burn: Depending on the extent of nerve damage, there may be no pain at all and the area will look blackened or charred. This is the most severe form of a burn which reaches beyond the underlying tissue into the muscle, nerves and bones.
5. 5
   

   Chemical burn: Most chemical burns are caused by the common acids and alkali used in industry.
   Chemical burn: Most chemical burns are caused by the common acids and alkali used in industry. The burn appears gray to brown in color, due to the chemically broken down protein on the skin. Chemical burns are deeper than they first appear which indicates ongoing injury. Also, the degree of tissue damage takes longer to identify due to an increase in depth after 13 to 24 hours.

Treatment of Minor Burns

First degree and second degree burns that are fewer than three inches in diameter are generally considered minor burns.^[1] These types of burns usually heal quickly with minimal care. Follow these steps to administer first-aid for minor burns.

1. 1
   Cool the burn by running cool (not cold) water over the area for 10 to 15 minutes.^[1] Immerse the burn in cool water if running water is not available. Do not put ice directly on the burn, as this can cause further damage to the skin.
2. 2
   Do not put on a bandage. Bandages will cut off air, making the wound take longer to heal.
3. 3
   Take an analgesic (pain reliever). Any of the common over-the-counter pain relievers will work. These include aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen or naproxen.
4. 4
   Wrap the wounded area loosely with clean dry gauze. The gauze protects the burn from air, debris, dirt and contamination. Use a non-stick dressing to prevent sticking to the injury on a second-degree burn.
   • You should change the dressing every day, wash the wound gently and reapply lotion or aloe as needed to prevent infection. Wash your hands before treating the burn.
5. 5
   Look out for signs of infection. Infection is uncommon with burns of this type, but is possible if blisters

Treatment of Major Burns

Second-degree burns covering a larger area, third or fourth-degree burns and any significant burns on the face, hands, feet, groin, or a large joint (e.g., knee or elbow) should be treated as major burns.^[1] With all major burns, seek medical help as soon as possible. Follow the steps below to care for these burns until you can get the injured person into the care of a doctor.

1. 1
   Call for emergency services immediately.
2. 2
   Do not remove any embedded charred clothing or material. Removing clothing from burned areas is likely to cause bleeding.^[2] However, if not stuck to the burn, you should remove jewelry and unburned clothing if may constrict the burned area.^[3]
3. 3
   Apply cool, wet compresses to the burned area for a very brief period of time.^[3]. This will reduce body temperature somewhat. However, do not use ice or immerse the affected area in cold water for extended periods of time.
4. 4
   Be prepared to treat the burn victim for shock. Look for shock symptoms: weak, rapid pulse, clammy skin, disorientation or unconsciousness, nausea, combativeness.
5. 5
   Cover the burned area with cool, moist, sterile bandages.^[1]
6. 6
   If possible, elevate the burn above the heart. This procedure will assist in reducing the likelihood or severity of shock.
7. 7
   Stay with the victim until help arrives.

Treatment of Chemical Burns

1. 1
   Use a brush to sweep off any powder or dry chemical if present.
2. 2
   Use cool, running water to flush chemicals off your body.
3. 3
   Remove any jewelry or clothing that has had contact with the chemical.
4. 4
   If there is continued burning of the skin, continue with water flushes until it is relieved.
5. 5
   Wrap the burn with a clean cloth or a dry, sterile bandage.

When to See a Doctor

1. 1
   A second-degree burn that is equal to or larger than 3 inches in diameter.
2. 2
   For third or fourth-degree burns.
3. 3
   For burns that cover large portions of the hands, feet, face, groin, buttocks or a major joint on the body.
4. 4
   If there is difficulty in breathing or if the burn affects the airway.
5. 5
   Burns accompanied by smoke inhalation.
6. 6
   If there is uncontrolled pain, weakness or illness.
   

How to treat burns and scalds on children

Causes of Burns

Burns occur when the skin is exposed to temperatures greater than 140 degrees F (60 C). Exposure to various substances and elements can cause burns. The following lists the many causes of burns.[1]

• Fire
• Hot liquid or steam
• Hot objects like metal or glass
• electricity
• radiation from cancer treatments or diagnostic equipment like X-ray machines
• ultraviolet light from tanning beds or the sun
• chemicals like acids, alkalis, gasoline, paint thinner, and others
• friction such as a rug burn

Tips

• Only use clean, pure, cool water OR saline solution if available as first aid for major burns and protect the area with a sterile or very clean cloth, such as a sheet (but keep the person warm in cold weather) and seek immediate medical attention.
• Wash your hands before touching or treating burns. Wear gloves if at all possible
• Never pop or burst any blister caused by a burn.
• This advice should not be substituted for medical attention. If in doubt, consult a physician immediately.
• Note that there are also fifth and sixth-degree burns, but these terms are typically used only by medical professionals.
• Anyone burned to the third-degree or above needs to be transported by ambulance (or LifeFlight, depending on distance) to the nearest trauma center.

Warnings

• Do not treat major/serious burns using lotion, cream, oil, shortening (grease), butter or any other ointments.
  • Such first aid slows down medical treatment because it will need to be removed when proper medical care begins on the damaged areas.
• See a doctor as soon as possible for any severe burns. These will not heal on their own and will need medical attention.
• Burns from "radioactive" material are a whole different matter.

Things You'll Need

• Cool water, not very cold
• Analgesic
• Sterile bandages

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