Burns

A burn is a type of injury that may be caused by heat, cold, electricity, chemicals, light, radiation, or friction. Burns can be highly variable in terms of the tissue affected, the severity, and resultant complications. Muscle, bone, blood vessel, and epidermal tissue can all be damaged with subsequent pain due to profound injury to nerve endings. Depending on the location affected and the degree of severity, a burn victim may experience a wide number of potentially fatal complications including shock, infection, electrolyte imbalance and respiratory distress. Beyond physical complications, burns can also result in severe psychological and emotional distress due to scarring and deformity. It is generally accepted that a burn affecting more than one percent of the body surface, (approximately area of the casualty's palm) should be assessed by a medical practitioner. 

  1. STAY SAFE! Do not let the rescuer get burned trying to save the victim. Wear personal protective equipment if you have it.

  2. Treating a burn begins with stopping the burning process. Cool the burned area with cool running water for several minutes. DONOT USE ICE.

    3. If an ambulance is coming, continue running water over the burned area until the ambulance arrives. 

  3. Look for blistering, sloughing, or charred (blackened) skin.

    4. Blistering or sloughing (skin coming off) means the top layer of skin is completely damaged and complications are likely. Charring indicates even deeper damage to all three layers of skin (see illustration). 

    If the damaged area is bigger than one entire arm or the whole abdomen, call 999 (UK) or 911(USA) or take the victim to the emergency department immediately. 

  4. Victims with burns to the following areas need emergency medical assistance call 999 (UK) or 911(USA): 
    1. face

    2. hands

    3. feet

    4. genitalia 

  5. Mild burns with reddened skin and no blisters may be treated with a topical burn ointment or spray to reduce pain.

    6. Cool water (not cold or warm) may also help with pain. 

    DO NOT APPLY BUTTER OR OIL TO ANY BURN! 

  6. Over the counter pain relievers like can be used for the pain of a mild burn (typically redness only). If stronger pain relief is needed, contact a physician or go to the emergency department. 

 

    Tips: 
  1. Burns cause swelling. Burns of the face and neck can sometimes swell enough to cause difficulty breathing. If that happens call 999 (UK) or 911(USA) immediately.

  2. Burns that completely circle the hands or feet may cause such severe swelling that blood flow is restricted. If swollen or tight hands and feet become numb and tingly, blue, cold, or "fall asleep," then 999 (UK) or 911(USA) immediately.

  3. While the burn is healing, wear loose natural clothing like silks or light cottons. Harsher fabrics will irritate the skin even more.

  4. Burns destroy skin and the loss of skin can lead to infection, dehydration and hypothermia (loss of body heat). Make sure that burn victims get emergency medical help if experiencing any of the following: 
    1. dizziness or confusion

    2. weakness

    3. fever or chills

    4. shivering

    5. cold sweats