How to treat and provide first aid in case of burns – Part I
How to treat and provide first aid in case of burns – Part I
September 30th, 2021
Source : Wikipedia
Body burns can be caused by many factors but broadly speaking the cause of burns can be broadly classified into three categories:
- Heat Burns including sub burn
- Chemical Burns
- Electric Burns
Severity of the burn will be deciding factor for medical emergency but the following First Aid Safety Tips may help the victim to avoid the deep burn to get worsened till the medical emergency is arranged. But before we discuss the the three type of burns we need to understand the severity of the burns which is also broadly categorised in three types as illustrated in the above images.
- First Degree Burns
- Second Degree Burns and
- Third Degree Burns
Though the concept can be well understood by the readers through above illustration and nomenclature of the burns yet we provide first hand information about the severity of burns and type of burns.
- As the name suggests, the first degree burns which are superficial burns only damage only the outer layer of the skin. Usually such burns heal by themselves and one can use tropical creams like Burnol etc.
- Second degree burns effect the deeper layers of the skin. If such burns are smaller in size that is surface area of the skin effected then these may not pose serious complications but if these burns are over a large surface area then such burns will require medical advice and attention.
- When the burns damage the skin deeply and penetrate the full thickness of the skin burning the muscles and other tissues then it is case of third degree burn requiring immediate medical emergency.
Causes and First Aid Tips for Heat Burns: Heat burns are generally caused by flames, fire, steam and sun burns. We need to take safety steps to minimise the burning impact due to flames, fire, steam and sun burns.
- First of all fire has to be extinguished. If the cloths of the victim have caught fire then ask him or her to stop, drop and roll on earth. Water can be used to put off the flames. It is advisable to gently remove the clothes, jewellery from the victim’s body as the same may still be hot and causing further burning of the skin. But while doing so ensure that the victim does not get injured if his or her skin is getting peeled.
- Assess the burning and if it is a first degree burn and you notice that the skin is dry, red and painful with slight swelling but skin is not broken then it may be a case of first degree burn but even in the first degree burn there may small, medium or severe first degree burns with upper limits just nearing the first degree cases.
- Do not use butter, icy or cold water on first degree burns as it can be more damaging to the effected skin area.
- However Aloe Vera gel can be gently applied on the skin to provide comfort and relief to the victim.
To learn the first aid safety tips in case of Sunburn, Chemical Burns and Burns due to electric shocks which may be even second or third degree burns, continue with How to treat and provide first aid in case of burns – Part II.
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