First aid for burns: do's and don'ts
Burns are injuries to the skin and tissues that most often occur due to high temperature: leaning against something hot, spilling boiling water on the skin.
But you can get a burn in other ways. Dangerous:
- Radiation. That's why we get sunburned or suffer from solarium overdose.
- Chemical substances. Therefore, household chemicals need to be put away in a safe place and worked with in protective clothing: gloves, an apron and goggles.
- Friction. Therefore, you need to carefully descend the rope.
- Electricity. This is why electrical injuries are so dangerous: they damage tissue with deep burns.
What to do if you get burned
Whatever the burn, you must act the same way.
1. Stop the burn
In first aid textbooks this is called “stop the effect of the damaging factor.” This means that you need to get a person out of a stream of boiling water or an acidic puddle, for example, as soon as possible. It seems obvious, but in a moment of panic, anything can happen.
If you are helping someone, make sure you are safe first. That is, make sure that you yourself do not fall under boiling water or stand in a puddle of acid.
2. Call a doctor if necessary
Be sure to call the emergency room or ambulance if:
- The injury occurred due to electric shock.
- Chemical burn.
- A burn of the third degree or more, that is, when the skin becomes covered with blisters, when they merge into one large one, when the skin in the burn area is brown or black, dry and insensitive.
- Burns of any degree over 10% of the body surface. To roughly determine how much this is, use the size of the victim’s palm as a guide. One palm is approximately 1% of the body area.
- A child or a person over 70 years of age was burned.
If the burn is light, but more than five centimeters in diameter, you do not need to call an ambulance. And yet to the emergency room
need to get there. And be sure to show your doctor any burns if they are on your face or genitals.
3. Cool the burn
Place the affected area under cool running water for about 15–20 minutes. The water should not be icy.
4. Apply a dry, clean bandage to the burn.
It is better if the bandage is sterile. The size needed is such that the bandage or gauze completely covers the burn. The bandage should not be applied too tightly.
5. Give painkillers
Any tablet based on paracetamol, ibuprofen or nimesulide will help the victim.
6. Give something to drink
The victim needs to drink as much as possible, because burns, even small ones, reduce the volume of circulating blood. You need to drink something warm and sweet: tea, compote.
What not to do
You should definitely not apply ointment to the affected area.
Moreover, you should not use eggs, butter, sour cream and all other means: they will only slow down healing and interfere with the doctors who will treat the wound. In addition, sour cream or butter can introduce bacteria into the wound.
Even if these methods worked for ten generations of your grandmothers and great-grandmothers, don't do it. Leave the wound clean.
If you can’t wait to treat it, treat it with chlorhexidine if the burn is shallow.
Also, do not apply ice to the surface of the wound, so as not to injure it with cold when the skin is already damaged.
When can you do without a doctor?
Minor household injuries can be treated on your own. Small - this is when there is only redness or a few blisters from the burn, and the affected area is no more than five centimeters in diameter.
In this case, you need to take painkillers, drink a lot and treat the burn with a special spray with dexpanthenol. This substance promotes rapid healing, and in spray form it is convenient to apply to a painful burn.
Category: First aid
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What not to do for burns
Very often in everyday life a person deals with thermal burns of varying degrees, in particular the first or second. First-degree burns are characterized by redness and excessive sensitivity of the burned area of skin; second-degree burns have the same consequences, only plus the formation of blisters. First degree burns usually heal without leaving scars. If a scar was formed, then it was at least second degree. How a person acts during the first few minutes after receiving a burn determines how severe the burn will be, how quickly the injuries will heal, and whether any marks will remain afterward. But it is not only necessary to act quickly, but also correctly. If you compare burns, abrasions or bruises of the same size, the former pose a more serious problem. In 30% of cases of skin damage with a first-degree burn, this is the reason for the occurrence of burn disease. A 2nd degree burn of the same size is a good reason for death. In addition, recovery is more difficult for children, unlike adults.
How to Determine the Degree of a Burn The most accurate way to assess the depth of a tragedy is the rule of nines. So, 9% of the skin surface corresponds to such areas as the head and neck, chest, arm, stomach, lower leg and foot, thigh, back (this area is 2 times 9).
Although this method is more suitable for adults, it is applicable for children only from 12 years of age. Before this age, the proportions are somewhat different, in particular the neck and head can account for 20% of the total body area.
You can also use the victim’s palm; its size approximately corresponds to 1% of the body surface. So the greater the percentage of the burned surface, the faster the victim must be taken to the hospital for assistance. Since every minute increases the risk of burn shock - pain and a large release into the circulatory system of products formed as a result of the breakdown of damaged tissue.
Hot mistakes you shouldn't make Boiling water. A burn from boiling water is not only the most insidious of all, but also the most underestimated. Such a burn causes deep heating of the deep layers of the skin for a long time, resulting in secondary damage. Within a few minutes, such a burn can be confused with the first degree, and a person may not even pay attention to it.
Oil. Whatever you say, a burn is not a momentary nuisance, but a long-term pathological process. Healthy cells are damaged not only when touching a stove, iron or borscht. Even if the traumatic agent was eliminated, the effect it initiated continues - the excess heat that was transferred to the skin area does not disappear without a trace, it spreads to the deeper layers of the skin. Oil or ointment, based on fat, applied to the burned area creates a greenhouse effect. Instead of relief, a person only gets a worsening of the overall clinical picture. So if it is 100% natural sea buckthorn oil or the “time-tested” cream “Rescuer”.
Alcohol. Why do people think that a burn should be wiped with an alcohol-containing liquid, such as cologne, vodka, lotion, brilliant green, etc. unknown. However, rubbing the affected area of skin with cotton wool or gauze is no longer the best idea, since the pain sensitivity of this area increases sharply. In addition, alcohol itself acts as a strong irritant, and also has a cauterizing effect and can attract water. Thus, it deprives the already dehydrated cells of the last liquid.
Urine. Proponents of the urine therapy method explain the “healing” properties of urine by the content of corticosteroid hormones in it, which may have an anti-inflammatory effect. However, there are very few of them in the urine, but there are much more other harmful substances that do not contribute to wound healing.
Blisters. Under the blister, the affected surface of the skin has an increased sensitivity to infectious diseases. Thus, when the blister is punctured, viruses and microbes have direct access to the nutrient medium. In addition, the healing under the blister will occur much faster than if it were trimmed or torn, and without scarring after healing.
What tactics to use for burns First of all, cool the burned area of skin by immersing the limbs or other damaged parts of the body in cool water for 15-20 minutes, and not as most victims do for 1-2 minutes. This is necessary in order to get rid of excess heat. Moreover, the lower the temperature of the water, the easier it is for the patient; the feeling of numbness in this situation will be a positive sign, not a negative one. You can also apply a dry, loose bandage to the affected area using sterile medical wipes and a sterile medical bandage. There should be no cotton wool or bandages.
What not to do for burns
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First aid for burns! What absolutely cannot be done!
First aid for burns
- Thermal (exposure to hot objects, liquids, gases, open fire)
- Chemical (due to tissue damage by various acids and alkalis).
- Electrical (in contact with a source of electrical current).
- 1 - redness, swelling
- 2 - redness and watery blisters
- 3 - blisters with cloudy or bloody contents, burst blisters and wounds
- 4 - charring and lack of sensitivity.
- Puncture bubbles
- Lubricate with oil, cream, ointments
- Remove stuck clothes
- Remove any clothing that is stuck to the burned area of the body and cut around it.
- Wash the affected area with water.
- In case of acid burn, neutralize with soda solution - 1 tsp. for 1 tbsp. water.
- For a burn with alkali - 0.5 tsp. citric, acetic or boric acid per 1 tbsp. water.
- Apply a gauze bandage.
- If chills occur, cover the victim and give plenty of warm fluids.
Use video tips on what to do if you receive a thermal burn:
We hope that you now understand how to provide first aid for burns. to the list of articles
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The following degrees of burns are distinguished:
- I degree – redness of the skin, accompanied by burning and pain;
- Stage II - the formation of blisters with liquid, the blisters can sometimes burst and the liquid leak out;
- III degree - coagulation of proteins with tissue damage and necrosis of the skin;
- IV degree - deeper damage to tissues - skin, subcutaneous fat, muscles, and bones up to charring.
The severity of the burn also directly depends on the area of skin and tissue damage. A burn always causes severe pain, and in the most severe cases the victim experiences shock. A burn can be aggravated by infection, penetration of toxins into the blood, metabolic disorders and many other pathological processes.
Burns from boiling water or steam
What can you do
- It is necessary to immediately eliminate the damaging factor (boiling water or steam);
Cool the affected area with running water;
Cover with a damp bandage;
What not to do
- Do not apply ointments, creams, butter, sour cream, etc. This may facilitate the entry of infection;
Tear off stuck clothing (in case of severe burns);
Chemical burn
What can you do
- Place the affected area of skin under running cold water and rinse for 20 minutes;
Chemicals must be neutralized. However, different chemicals are neutralized differently. In case of an acid burn, the affected area should be sprinkled with soda or washed with soapy water; in case of an alkali burn, it is better to rinse the affected area with diluted acetic acid;
After neutralization, bandage with a sterile bandage or cloth.What not to do
- Chemicals penetrate deep into the skin, and even after they are removed they can continue to act, so it is better not to touch the affected area so as not to increase the area of the burn;
Sunburn
What can you do
First aid can be provided independently, since sunburns are not severe and, according to the degree of damage, they are classified as I or II degrees.
- It is necessary to immediately leave the sun and go to a cool place, for example, in the shade;
Apply a wet, cold bandage to the affected areas to cool and relieve burning and pain;
You can take a cold shower or lie in cool water;
If you experience a headache, dizziness, or nausea, you should immediately consult a doctor. These symptoms may indicate the development of heat stroke.What not to do
- Do not treat your skin with ice cubes. This can cause the skin to die, which can lead to scarring. Do not wash damaged skin with soap, rub with a washcloth or clean with scrubs. This will increase the inflammatory response.
Do not apply alcohol or alcohol solutions to damaged areas. Alcohol contributes to additional dehydration of the skin;
Do not treat your skin with petroleum jelly or various fats. These products clog pores and prevent the skin from breathing;
During the entire recovery period, you should not sunbathe and stay in direct sunlight (only in covered clothing). You cannot drink alcoholic beverages, coffee or strong tea. Drinking these drinks may contribute to dehydration.
Hogweed burn
Hogweed is a very common plant in mid-latitudes. The inflorescence of these plants resembles dill, and the leaves resemble burdock or thistle. Sosnowski's hogweed, named after the scientist who discovered it, is especially famous for its poisonous properties. It is distinguished by its gigantic size and during the flowering period in July-August it can reach 5-6 m in height. Hogweed produces a special phototoxic sap, and when it comes into contact with the skin, the effect of sunlight increases several times. This action can be compared to a magnifying glass collecting the sun's rays, which leads to skin burns or ignition of dry objects, such as paper. Even one drop of hogweed can cause a skin burn, especially if it is exposed to the sun.
Symptoms of a hogweed burn include redness, itching and burning of the skin. And if you don’t wash your skin in time and stay in the sun, you can get a severe burn. At the site of redness, blisters with liquid later appear.
What can you do
- First of all, you need to wash off the hogweed juice with soap and water and treat the skin with baking soda;
Apply a bandage to the affected area of skin with syntomycin ointment, ointment with dexpanthenol;
If large areas of skin are affected, severe allergic reactions, headaches, or fever, you should consult a doctor.WHAT NOT TO DO IN CASE OF BURNS
What not to do in case of burns: mistakes when providing first aid
DO NOT APPLY OIL TO THE BURN
There is an opinion that a thermal burn must be lubricated with sunflower, sea buckthorn or olive oil. Doctors are unanimous in their opinion that this action does not cure burns and does not alleviate the condition. As a result, a fatty film forms on the damaged area, which aggravates the healing process. Therefore, refrain from treating the wound with any oil. This also applies to dairy products: kefir, sour cream, fermented baked milk, as well as animal fats.
DO NOT TREAT A BURN WITH MEDICINAL HERBS BOTTINGS
No matter what medicinal properties a medicinal plant has, its use in case of a burn is unacceptable. Doctors do not recommend trusting traditional methods for severe skin lesions. If the skin is damaged by an acid or alkali, then exposure to an alcohol tincture or decoction may increase the area of damage.
DO NOT USE ANTIBACTERIAL OINTMENTS
In the first minutes after a burn occurs, the use of ointments and creams is unreasonable. If fat is present in the composition of these medicines, then the effect is identical to that of oils: the wound is covered with a layer of fat that does not allow air to pass through. As a result, the burn takes longer to heal or weeping areas appear.
DO NOT USE ALCOHOL SOLUTIONS
Doctors warn that using alcohol on an open wound leads to severe damage to damaged tissue. Refrain from treating the burn with alcohol-containing solutions, vodka, and even hydrogen peroxide. These manipulations are carried out with open wounds, cuts, but not with burns.
DO NOT PUNCH BUBBLES
After a burn, blisters filled with ichor often form on the damaged area. To avoid infection and aggravation of the situation, do not pierce them under any circumstances. After some time, this bubble will gradually decrease.
DO NOT SPREAD THE BURN WOUND WITH POWDERED SUBSTANCES
Try not to trust traditional methods when treating burns. Some people, when burned by a hot object, begin to sprinkle the wound with soda, starch, flour, talc, baby powder or other powders. Doctors do not recommend using these remedies in first aid and consider them ineffective.
HOW TO PROPERLY TREAT BURNS: FIRST AID FOR DOMESTIC INJURY
First of all, try to stop contact with the hot object that caused the burn. Then place the damaged area under a tap or in a bowl of cold water. The duration of the cooling process is at least 15 minutes. This will help stop the process of tissue destruction. Then apply a damp bandage to the sore spot and provide rest to the victim. After a couple of days, when the wound begins to gradually heal, you can use tea tree or calendula essential oils. These products will prevent the formation of scars and scars.
If you find that the damage is large or takes on a blue tint, seek medical help immediately.
Remember that following safety precautions will prevent burns and keep you healthy.