Burns are fairly common but excruciatingly painful wounds. Although the minor ones heal without special medical treatment, the more serious ones require special treatments to prevent possible infections and reduce the severity of the scars. Before taking care of a burn it is important to know the level or degree of it.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Determine the Degree of Burn
Step 1. Check for a first degree burn
This is the most common form of burn and can be caused by a slight sunburn, short contact with a hot object or the sun. The damage is limited to the outer surface of the skin. The skin may appear red, slightly swollen, and may be sore, although not always. You can treat this type of burn at home, as it does not require special medical attention. The outermost part of the epidermis is able to heal on its own, with time and the right treatments.
The first degree burn is classified as a "minor burn" and can be treated as such. Sometimes it spreads all over the body, such as in the case of a sunburn, but does not require special medical attention
Step 2. Look for a second degree burn
In this case the skin may appear patchy, blisters may form and the pain is much more intense. It can be caused by a brief contact with a terribly hot object (for example boiling water), by a prolonged contact with hot objects or by excessive exposure to the sun. Unless it is located on the hands, feet, groin or face, it can be treated as a minor burn. If blisters form, you don't need to drain them; However, if they open on their own and the liquid comes out, you must keep them clean by rinsing them with water and applying an antibacterial ointment. You can also cover the area with a bandage or other bandage to keep the ointment in contact with the skin. Make sure you change the dressing every day.
The second degree burn reaches the second layer of the epidermis. If it is larger than 10 cm, is on your hands, feet, joints or genitals, or does not heal within a few weeks, you should see your doctor for more effective treatment
Step 3. Find out if the burn is third degree
This is the most serious and requires immediate medical attention. It occurs when there has been prolonged exposure to burning and boiling objects that have crossed the three layers of the epidermis; in some cases there may also be damage to the underlying muscles, fat and bones. The burn area has a leather-like appearance and often takes on a white or black color. Pain can vary based on the level of damage to the subcutaneous nerves (sensory receptors). This type of burn can feel "wet" due to the breakdown of cells and leakage of proteins.
The third degree burn is classified as the most serious and should be treated by medical personnel as soon as possible
Step 4. Check for a cold burn
In this case the skin is exposed for a long time to low temperatures, such as snow or ice. The area appears bright red, white or black, and can cause a severe burning sensation when heated again. We speak of a "burn" even in the case of low temperatures because the cold causes damage to the layers of the skin.
- In most cases, cold burns need to be treated like third-degree burns and medical attention is required.
- Immediately after exposure to cold, the skin should be warmed in water to a temperature of 37-39 ° C.
Step 5. Recognize a chemical burn
This is a type of burn caused by skin contact with substances and chemicals that damage the layers of the epidermis. It usually causes red spots, rashes, blisters, or open sores. The first thing to do is to always establish the cause of the burn and call the poison control center immediately.
- Contact the nearest poison control center right away if you think you have a chemical burn on your skin, as every precaution must be taken to neutralize the substance and prevent it from spreading further.
- In general, chemical burns should be washed with plenty of water; however, you must avoid water if the injury was caused by quicklime or elemental metals (such as sodium, magnesium, phosphorus, lithium, etc.), as these materials react with water and cause greater damage.
Part 2 of 4: Treating Minor Burns
Step 1. Run cold water over the burn
This is the first thing to do as soon as possible to avoid further skin damage. Hold the wound under running water for 10-15 minutes or until the pain subsides. Don't use water that is too cold, though, as it could cause more damage to the surrounding skin.
The sudden shock of the jump from extremely hot to too cold temperature would only slow down the healing process
Step 2. Quickly remove tight clothing or jewelry
As soon as you can, or when rinsing the burn, you need to remove any constricting objects on the skin, as it will likely swell from the injury. If in doubt, however, remove everything you deem useful; this allows blood to flow over the painful area and facilitate healing, as well as preventing any worse damage.
Step 3. Apply a cold pack
If you can't get the wound under cold water, you can use a cold compress or wrap ice in a towel and place it on the burn. Hold it in place for 10-15 minutes, wait half an hour, and then reapply it for another 10-15 minutes.
Never place ice or cold packs directly on the burn as it will cause severe skin damage. Make sure there is always a cloth between your skin and the ice
Step 4. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever
A drug such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, aspirin, or naproxen can help you when symptoms start to bother you. If the pain does not subside after a few hours, take another dose of the drug. However, avoid giving aspirin to children and don't take it yourself if you're recovering from a recent flu or chickenpox.
Follow the instructions on the leaflet, which change according to the type of drug you have chosen
Step 5. Clean the burn area
After washing your hands, use soap and water and clean the wound to prevent possible infections. When finished, apply an antibiotic ointment such as Neosporin. Aloe vera also helps soothe the skin; look for a gel with few additives on the market. In addition, antibiotics and aloe vera prevent the bandage from sticking to the skin.
Do not squeeze the blisters while cleaning the wound, as they serve to protect the skin from infection. Be careful that they do not open and no liquid leaks out, as the body is able to heal on its own when it comes to a minor burn. If the blisters have not opened it is not necessary to apply an antibiotic ointment but, if not or if the burn is exposed, the antibiotic is important to prevent infections
Step 6. Cover the burn with a light layer of ointment and put on gauze
When it comes to a first degree burn it is not necessary to put a bandage, if the blisters have not burst or if the skin is not open. In the case of second-degree burns, however, it is important to cover the lesion to avoid infections. Gently protect it with gauze and secure it by stopping it with medical tape. Change the gauze every day.
Dressing
First the ointment:
do not apply the dressing directly to the wound. You must always put a cream or ointment on the wound before placing the gauze on it, otherwise, when it is removed, you risk also tearing the new layers of skin that are forming to heal the wound.
Remove the bandage:
remove the gauze following the direction of hair growth. If the bandage has unfortunately stuck to the wound, take warm water or a saline solution and apply it to the piece of gauze for easier removal. To prepare the saline solution, add 1 teaspoon of salt to 4 liters of water.
Step 7. Avoid using home remedies such as egg white, butter or tea
On the Internet you can find sites that describe "miraculous" solutions against burns, but there are few scientific studies that confirm the effectiveness of these remedies. Many reliable sources, such as the Red Cross, claim that these folk remedies can aggravate the situation by introducing bacteria into the wound and causing infections.
In case of sunburn, natural moisturizing products, such as aloe vera or soy, can be effective
Step 8. Check for an infection
Pay attention to whether the wound turns red, brown, or black. Also check the layer of fat under and around the burn, as it could turn greenish if there are complications. If the lesion is slow to heal it may be a sign of some problem, infection or you may have misjudged its severity. Tell your doctor if you experience the following symptoms:
Signs of Infection
Around the wound:
heat, pain to touch, hardening of the injured area
Fever body temperature over 39 ° C or less than 36.5 ° C. Both mean a serious infection and require immediate medical attention.
Step 9. Relieve itching with topical products
Itching is a typical symptom, very common in the first phase of healing from a minor burn. Topical products such as aloe vera or others containing petroleum jelly relieve the discomfort caused by itching. You can also take oral antihistamines if necessary.
Part 3 of 4: Treating Major Burns
Step 1. Call the emergency service immediately
You do not have to think about treating severe burns at home, because they must be treated by qualified personnel. Call the ambulance right away or go to the emergency room immediately.
Do not try never to treat a severe burn alone at home. The ones described below are simply measures to put in place while you wait for help.
Step 2. Move the victim away from the heat source safely
You must try to do everything possible to prevent further burns or injuries. Turn off or stop the heat source or move the victim away.
Never move or pull the sufferer by grabbing them by the burned area: you could cause further damage to the skin, with the risk of opening the wounds, not to mention the fact that the victim would feel more pain and could go into shock
Step 3. Cover the burn
Place a cold, damp cloth over the injured area to protect it until help arrives. Do not apply ice and do not immerse the burned area in cold water, otherwise you could cause hypothermia or worse damage to the area already suffering.
Step 4. Remove any chemical irritants
If the burn is of chemical origin, clean the area of any residue of hazardous substance. Run cold water over the wound or apply a cold compress while you wait for the doctors to arrive. Do not use home remedies for chemical burns.
Step 5. Raise the burned area above the victim's heart level
However, only do this if you are sure you are not causing further damage.
Step 6. Seek immediate help if the victim goes into shock
Check for the following symptoms: slow or rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure, sweaty skin, disorientation or loss of consciousness, nausea or aggression. If you notice these symptoms of a third-degree burn, seek immediate medical attention. Call the ambulance or get the victim to the hospital quickly. Shock is very dangerous, can lead to death and adds to an already serious situation.
Severe third-degree burns can actually cause shock because the body loses a significant amount of fluid when the damaged surface is extended. The body cannot function normally with a low level of fluids and blood
Part 4 of 4: Knowing Hospital Care for Major Burns
Step 1. Remove clothing and jewelry
The victim must be immediately transferred to a hospital or "major burn center" to receive adequate treatment. So it is important to get rid of clothing and jewelry because they can tighten the victim's body when edema occurs.
Burns can swell certain parts of the body very much, compressing them in a dangerous way (compartment syndrome). If this occurs, immediate hospitalization is required to reduce blood pressure, help blood circulation, and ensure nerve function
Step 2. Detect vital signs and supply the victim with oxygen
In the case of major burns, the doctor can provide 100% pure oxygen by intubation, i.e. by inserting a tube into the trachea. It is also essential to immediately detect vital parameters. In this way the current state of the victim is monitored and a specific treatment plan can be defined.
Step 3. Rehydrate the victim
It is essential to stop the loss of fluids and replenish them with an intravenous rehydration solution. The type and quantity of fluids to be administered depends on the level of burn.
Step 4. Provide antibiotics and pain relievers
It is important for the victim to take analgesic and pain relieving medications in order to better manage the pain. Antibiotics are also extremely helpful.
Antibiotics are necessary because the main line of defense against infections (the skin) has been damaged and is no longer able to effectively fight against external aggression. Medicines are therefore essential to prevent bacteria from entering the body and infecting the wound
Step 5. Change the victim's diet
At this time, the diet must be high in calories and protein. This helps provide the body with the vital energy and proteins it needs to repair cells.
Foods rich in calories and proteins
Proteins:
eggs, Greek yogurt, tuna, halibut, salmon, tilapia, red meats (leaner cuts), skinless chicken breasts, turkey breasts, dried lentils, peanut butter, walnuts, tofu, wheat sprouts, quinoa
Calories:
avocado, bananas, mangoes, whole grains, wholemeal bread, corn in moderate quantities.
Advice
- Anyone who has suffered a third degree burn must be transported by ambulance (possibly also by helicopter) to the nearest burn center or hospital.
- Wash your hands before touching or treating a burn. If you can, wear gloves too.
- Use only fresh, clean water or a saline solution, if available, as a first aid for major burns. Protect the area with sterile or very clean fabric, such as a sheet, while waiting for an ambulance to come.
- The advice in this tutorial is not intended to replace medical treatment. If in doubt, consult your doctor immediately.
- Wrap minor or even severe burns in cling film if you don't have gauze available. This also helps prevent infections while waiting to go to the hospital.
- Do not wet a chemical burn with water if you are unfamiliar with the material that caused it, as the hazardous substance may spread even more to the skin. Water could aggravate the situation if the accident was caused by certain chemicals, such as quicklime.
- Do not expose the burn to harmful substances.
Warnings
- See your doctor as soon as possible if you have a severe burn. You can't heal it yourself, because it's a wound that requires medical attention.
- Radioactive burns are very different and very serious. You must seek immediate medical attention if you suspect the burn is of this type, and you must also put in place all preventive procedures to protect yourself and the victim.
