What to do in case of burn?

What to do in case of burn?

Burns are one of the most common household accidents. In this article, we'll tell you the most important steps to take when dealing with any type of burn.

Burns are injuries to the skin or other body parts caused by heat or due to radiation, radioactivity, electricity, friction or contact with chemicals, according to the WHO. 

These injuries destroy skin cells and their annexes, causing edema and fluid loss. They are one of the most common accidents happening at home and should be treated appropriately depending on the source. From a sunburn up to one caused directly by fire, there can be a whole range of risk situations.

 

 What are the different degrees of burns?

  • FIRST-DEGREE. They affect only the outer layer of the skin, causing pain, redness and slight inflammation. 
     
  • SECOND-DEGREE. They affect the outer as well as the underlying layer of the skin, causing the same symptoms as in the first case (pain, redness, swelling) and small clusters of lymphatic fluid known as blisters.
     
  • THIRD-DEGREE. They affect the deeper skin layers, reaching down to the fat layer, and are known as full-thickness burns. The skin becomes whitish, dark or visibly burned and may become numb. Grafts are usually required to close the wound. 

 

How to treat a burn?

When facing an injury of this kind, we will act according to whether they are:

Minor burns

  1. Soak the area in running water (not cold) for about ten minutes. If the burn is on a sensitive area (face, armpits, groin...) place a cool, damp cloth to relieve the pain.  
     
  2. In case of blistering, do not burst them. If it breaks naturally, clean the area with water and apply an antibiotic balm. 
      
  3. In the case of first-degree burns, look for a cream that helps skin regeneration and healing. For second-degree burns, you will need to prevent and treat possible bacterial infections.
     
  4. In case the blisters have broken, or the area can easily get dirty, cover the burn with a clean bandage, avoiding exerting pressure on the wounded area. If the pain persists, take an over-the-counter analgesic (ibuprofen or naproxen sodium).

Severe burns

  1. Analyze the condition of the area and the person injured. If you can help the person who was burned, remove the original cause of the burn. In case of an electrical burn, do not touch the person directly, but do it with a non-metallic object.
     
  2. Call 112, the local emergency number, or go to a medical center, depending on the condition of the person and the severity of the injury.    
     
  3. Do not attempt to remove clothing that is stuck to the burn.
     
  4. If the person is not breathing, artificial respiration and CPR should be administered.
     
  5. Cover the burn area with a sterile, dry bandage. Avoid applying creams or popping blisters. The area should be protected from any possible pressure or friction.  
     
  6. While medical help arrives, elevate the injured body part above heart level, if possible. 

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