Experts agree that the best way to treat a burn depends on the location and severity of the injury. While hand burns can be treated at home, they are sometimes very serious, especially if they are widespread. Studies suggest that you immediately cool the affected limb with cold water, then apply an aloe vera-based gel and bandage it with a sterile non-stick bandage. However, you should contact your doctor if the injury is severe, if you have inhaled smoke, or if you are unsure of what treatment to follow.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Assessing the Situation
Step 1. Get safe
As soon as you get burned, stop whatever activity you are doing. Protect yourself by putting out any flame or burner so that no one else gets hurt. If there is a runaway fire, get out of there as soon as possible and call the emergency services.
- If it's a chemical burn, stop and ventilate the room. If you can, remove the chemical from your skin. Use a dry chemical brush or put the burned area under cold water.
- If it is an electrical burn, turn off the power source and move away from cables.
Step 2. Call for help
If the fire in the house is out of control, call 115 to ask for help from the fire brigade or, if you have come into contact with a chemical substance, contact the Poison Control Center to find out how to proceed. In the event of an electrical burn, call the fire department if the current is still on or if the injury was caused by a high voltage cable or lightning.
- In case you don't know if the electric current is still on, don't touch the electric wires directly - move them with a dry non-conducting tool, such as a piece of wood or plastic.
- Anyone who suffers an electrical burn should visit because the shock received can interfere with the body's electrical activity and cause serious side effects.
Step 3. Evaluate the hand burn
Look at the burned area to assess the damage. Note the location of the lesion and examine its appearance paying attention to every detail. This will help you determine the severity of the burn. Burns are divided into first, second and third degree according to the depth of damage to the epidermis. First-degree burns are the mildest, while third-degree burns are the most severe. This determination serves to understand which method to use to cure them.
- If the burn affects the palm of your hand, see a doctor immediately. Located at this point of the limb, it can cause long-term disability.
- If you have a circumferential finger burn (a burn affecting at least one finger), seek immediate medical attention. This type of burn can restrict blood flow and, in severe cases, can result in the finger being amputated if left untreated.
Part 2 of 4: Treating a First Degree Burn
Step 1. Recognize a first degree burn
First degree burns affect only the upper layer of the epidermis. They cause mild swelling and redness, as well as being accompanied by pain. When you press on the skin, it may remain white for a few moments once the pressure is released. If no blisters or wounds form, but only redden superficially, it is a first-degree burn.
- See your doctor if your face, airways, other hand, feet, groin, buttocks, or major joints are affected in addition to one hand.
- The most common first-degree burns are sunburns, unless accompanied by blisters.
Step 2. Treat first degree burns
If you know from your appearance and symptoms that you are dealing with a first-degree burn, quickly approach a sink without fidgeting. Turn on the tap and put your hand or arm under cold water for 15-20 minutes. It will help cool the skin and relieve inflammation.
- You can also fill a bowl with cold water and soak the affected area for a few minutes. This can also cool the skin, reduce inflammation and prevent scar formation.
- Do not use ice as it can freeze burned skin if you leave it in contact with your skin for too long. Also, if the area around the burn is frozen, it can damage it as well.
- Also, don't apply butter and don't blow on the burn. It is useless, indeed the risk of infections can increase.
Step 3. Remove the jewelry
Since this injury is accompanied by widespread swelling of the burned tissue, the jewelry can tighten, obstruct blood circulation, or penetrate the skin. Take them all off, be it rings or bracelets.
Step 4. Apply aloe or burn ointment
If you have an aloe vera plant, break off one of the lower leaves near the stem. Cut the thorns, divide the leaf lengthwise and apply the gel directly to the burn. It will provide an immediate feeling of freshness. It is an excellent remedy for first degree burns.
- In the absence of the aloe vera plant, you can use a 100% pure aloe vera gel.
- Do not apply aloe to open wounds.
Step 5. Take a pain reliever if needed
Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tachipirina), naproxen (Synflex), or ibuprofen (Brufen, Moment), are all considered safe for short-term use.
Step 6. Check for the burn
The burn can get worse within a few hours. After you've rinsed and treated it, check it out to make sure it doesn't turn into a second-degree burn. If so, consider seeing your doctor.
Part 3 of 4: Treating a Second Degree Burn
Step 1. Recognize second degree burns
Second degree burns are more serious than first degree burns because they have a wider extension on the epidermis and a depth that affects the lower layers, reaching up to the dermis. This does not necessarily mean that medical assistance is required. The lesion is characterized by more intense redness, blistering, swelling, and more patches than first-degree burns. The skin is redder and may appear wet or shiny. The affected area may appear white or depigmented.
- If the burn is larger than 7 cm, treat it as if it were third degree and see your doctor immediately.
- Second-degree burns are typically caused by direct contact with hot liquids, open flames, hot bodies, severe sunburn, chemical burns, and electrical burns.
Step 2. Remove the jewelry
Since this injury is accompanied by widespread swelling of the burned tissue, the jewelry can tighten, obstruct blood circulation, or penetrate the skin. Take them all off, be it rings or bracelets.
Step 3. Rinse the burn site
Treatment for second-degree burns is almost similar to that for first-degree burns: quickly approach a sink, without fidgeting, and place your hand or arm under the tap, running cold water for 15-20 minutes.. It will help cool the skin and relieve inflammation. If blisters are present, do not puncture them as they protect the skin. Otherwise, you could develop an infection and delay healing.
Do not apply either butter or ice. Also, don't blow on the burn as you can increase the risk of infections
Step 4. Apply antibiotic cream
Since second-degree burns affect a larger portion of the skin, the risk of them becoming infected is greater. Apply antibiotic cream to the burned area before bandaging it.
Silver sulfadiazine (Sorfagen) is an antibiotic ointment widely used in case of burns. You can buy it at a pharmacy without a prescription. Apply a generous amount so that it can penetrate the skin and work for a long time
Step 5. Clean the torn bladder
If a blister opens spontaneously or by mistake, don't worry. Clean it with mild soap and water. Apply antibiotic ointment and cover the burn with a sterile bandage.
Step 6. Apply a new bandage every day
Burn dressings should be changed daily to prevent infection. Remove the old bandage and throw it away. Rinse the burn under cold water, without soaping it. Do not rub the skin. Let the water run for a few minutes, then dry with a clean cloth. Apply burn cream, antibiotic ointment, or aloe vera to the injured site to help heal. Wrap him again with a sterile bandage.
When the burn is gone or almost healed, you will no longer need the bandage
Step 7. Make honey ointment
Several studies support the use of honey to treat burns, although doctors consider it an alternative treatment. Take a teaspoon to cover the burn. Dab it on the injury. Honey is a natural antiseptic that helps keep bacteria away from wounds without damaging healthy outer skin. The low pH and high osmolarity of this substance promote healing. It is advisable to use medicinal honey instead of that used in cooking.
- According to some studies, honey is a better alternative than regular silver sulfadiazine ointment. In any case, ask your doctor for advice.
- You should change the dressing daily or even more often if the wound produces secretions.
- If there is no need to bandage the burn site, apply honey every 6 hours. It also helps to cool it down.
Step 8. Check for the burn
The burn can get worse within a few hours. After you've rinsed and medicated it, check it to make sure it doesn't turn into a third-degree burn. If so, consult your doctor immediately.
As you heal, look out for signs and symptoms of any infection, such as pus production, fever, swelling, or increased skin redness. In these cases, consult your doctor
Part 4 of 4: Treating a Third Degree and More Severe Burn
Step 1. Recognize severe burns
Any burn can be serious if it is located on the joints or covers most of the body. It is serious even if the patient has complications, alterations in vital parameters, difficulty in moving normally due to the injury. In these cases, it should be treated like third-degree burns, with immediate medical attention.
Step 2. Recognize third degree burns
If the lesion is bleeding or the skin appears black or charred, it could be a third-degree burn. Third-degree burns burn all layers of the skin: epidermis, dermis, and underlying fat. They can be white, brown, yellow or black, while the skin can appear dry or leather-like. They do not cause pain like first or second degree burns because the nerves have been damaged or destroyed. This type of injury requires immediate medical attention, so call emergency services or go to the emergency room.
- There is a risk of third-degree burns becoming infected and the skin not growing back properly.
- If the clothes stick to the burn, don't pull them off. Get help immediately.
Step 3. React promptly
If you or someone nearby has a third degree burn, call the emergency services immediately. While waiting for the ambulance to arrive, check if the other person reacts by shaking them gently. If it fails, observe her to see if she is breathing. If you are not breathing, do cardiopulmonary resuscitation if you know how to do it.
- If you don't know how to perform CPR, you can call 911 and ask someone to explain it to you and guide you on the phone. Do not try to unblock the airways or put air into the victim's lungs if you are unfamiliar with cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Instead, just focus on heart massage.
- Make sure the person lies on his back on the ground. Kneel close to her shoulders. Place your hands in the center of your chest, positioning yourself with your shoulders above your hands, keeping your arms and elbows straight. Push your chest towards the floor doing about 100 compressions per minute.
Step 4. Take care of the victim
While you wait for help to arrive, remove all clothing and jewelry that can tighten the tissues. However, avoid this if they are trapped in the burn. In this case, leave them in place and wait for the ambulance to arrive. If you remove them, you will peel off the skin causing further damage. Also, you should keep the patient warm because very severe burns can cause thermal shock.
- Don't get the burn wet as you would with minor burns, otherwise there is a risk of hypothermia. If you can, lift the burn site above heart height to reduce swelling.
- Do not give painkillers. You must not give anything that would interfere with emergency medical care.
- Avoid puncturing blisters, scratching dead skin, applying aloe and ointments.
Step 5. Cover the wound
If you have the option, try to cover the burn so it doesn't get infected. You need to use something that doesn't stick, such as light gauze or a moistened bandage. If you see him sticking to the severity of the burn, wait for help to arrive.
You could use cling film. It has been shown that, used for a very short time, it is an effective dressing. Protects the wound, avoiding contact with external organisms
Step 6. Get hospital treatment
When you arrive at the hospital, the medical staff will move quickly to treat you effectively. It could start with a drip to replenish lost electrolytes from the body. In addition, he will proceed to clean the burn - this can be very painful. He may also give you pain relievers, apply ointments or creams directly to the burn, and cover it with a sterile dressing. If necessary, it can create a warm, humid environment to promote healing.
- Your hospital nutritionist is likely to prescribe a high-protein diet to promote healing.
- If necessary, your doctor may suggest skin grafting. It involves taking a segment of tissue (dermis) from another part of the body in order to reconstruct the burned area.
- The hospital staff will teach you to change the dressing that you will have to do on your own once you are discharged and returned home; afterward, you will need to see your doctor periodically to make sure the injury is healing properly.
Advice
- If you are concerned or have questions about your burn, contact your doctor.
- The injury will most likely leave a scar, especially if the burn was severe.
