Burns

A burn is a type of injury to skin, or other tissues, caused by heat, cold, electricity, chemicals, friction, or radiation. Most burns are due to heat from hot liquids, solids, or fire. Females in many areas of the world have a higher risk related to the more frequent use of open cooking fires or unsafe cook stoves. Alcoholism and smoking are other risk factors. Burns can also occur as a result of self harm or violence between people.

Burns that affect only the superficial skin layers are known as superficial or first-degree burns. They appear red without blisters and pain typically lasts around three days. When the injury extends into some of the underlying skin layer, it is a partial-thickness or second-degree burn. Blisters are frequently present and they are often very painful. Healing can require up to eight weeks and scarring may occur. In a full-thickness or third-degree burn, the injury extends to all layers of the skin. Often there is no pain and the burn area is stiff. Healing typically does not occur on its own. A fourth-degree burn additionally involves injury to deeper tissues, such as muscle, tendons, or bone. The burn is often black and frequently leads to loss of the burned part.

Types of burn

Scald – caused by a hot liquid
Friction – caused by rough surfaces, e.g: carpet
Radiation – eg sunburn
Electrical – will have an entry burn and an exit burn
Chemical
Dry – touching hot objects, e.g: a cooker.

Burn degrees

First-degree burns are considered mild compared to other burns. They result in pain and reddening of the epidermis (outer layer of the skin).

Second-degree burns (partial thickness burns) affect the epidermis and the dermis (lower layer of skin). They cause pain, redness, swelling, and blistering.

Third-degree burns (full thickness burns) go through the dermis and affect deeper tissues. They result in white or blackened, charred skin that may be numb.

Treating Burns

Major burns:

Do not apply ointment, butter, ice, medications, fluffy cotton, adhesive bandages, cream or oil spray. These can interfere with the healing process.
Do not allow the burn to become contaminated. Avoid coughing or breathing on the burn.
Do not touch or peel blistered and dead skin.
Do not give the victim anything to ingest if he/she has a severe burn.
Do not immerse a severe burn in cold water or apply cold compresses. This can cause shock.
Do not place a pillow under a victim’s head if he/she has an airway burn because the airway could close, blocking the flow of air into the lungs

Call emergency assistance immediately if:

The victim has a severe or extensive burn
The victim has a chemical or electrical burn
The victim shows signs of shock are present
Airway burn has occurred

Minor Burns

First, calm and reassure the person who is burned.

If clothing is not stuck to the burn, remove it. If the burn is caused by chemicals, take off all clothes that have the chemical on them.

Cool the burn:

Use cool water, not ice. The extreme cold from ice can injure the tissue even more.
If possible, especially if the burn is caused by chemicals, hold the burned skin under cool running water for 10 to 15 minutes until it does not hurt as much. Use a sink, shower, or garden hose.
If this is not possible, put a cool, clean wet cloth on the burn, or soak the burn in a cool water bath for 5 minutes.

Sunburn

What to do if someone gets a sunburn:

Immediately remove the person from the sun.
Place the person in a cool (not cold) shower or bath, or apply cool compresses several times a day. Do not wash burned skin with harsh soap.
Avoid creams or lotions that may hold heat inside the skin or may contain numbing medication (i.e. benzocaine or lidocaine). Aloe gel can be used.
Offer the person extra fluids for the next two to three days.
If needed to relieve pain, give the person ibuprofen or acetaminophen, as directed. Do not give aspirin to children.
Make certain all sunburned areas are fully covered to protect the person from further sun exposure.

Get immediate medical attention if the person has:

sunburn that forms blisters or is extremely painful
facial swelling
nausea, fever or severe chills
pale, clammy or cool skin
rapid pulse or rapid breathing
headache, confusion or a feeling of faintness or dizziness
signs of dehydration (increased thirst, dry eyes and mouth, no urine output)
signs of skin infection (increasing redness, warmth, pain, swelling, or pus)
eyes that hurt and are sensitive to light
What to do if someone gets heat illness:

If you have any heat illness symptoms during extreme heat, move to a cool place and drink liquids right away. Water is best.