First Aid - Useful for Diwali

What are burns?

• Injuries due to improper handling of crackers.
• Common heat injuries due to fire, hot liquids, steam
• Burns due to extreme heat through skin contact
• Severe burns affect muscles, fat and bones
• Older people/ children - particularly vulnerable

Categories of burns

• First, second and third degree
• Categorization depends on severity of tissue damage
• Check extent of burn before deciding self treatment
• Seek help if burn is over a couple of inches in diameter, or
• If it involves large sections of the hands, feet, face, groin or buttocks, or a major joint

First-degree burns

• Injuries are superficial / mild
• Swelling& redness of the injured area
• Pain develops
• No blisters seen
• Burned area becomes white on touch
• Takes 3-6 days to heal

Treatment

• Remove patient from heat source
• Remove the burnt clothing
• Run cool water over burnt area
• Gently clean the injured area
• Gently dry
• Apply anti biotic such as Silver Sulphadiazine
• Use a sterile bandage to cover burns
• Take tetanus vaccination, if required

Second-degree burns

• Burns extends to middle skin layer, dermis
• Swelling, redness and pain observed
• Burnt area may turn white on touch
• Blisters develop, that ooze a clear fluid
• Scars may develop
• Restricts movement, if injury occurs at joint
• Dehydration may occur
• Healing time varies, depends on extent of injury

Treatment

• Clean the affected area thoroughly
• Gently dry
• Apply antibiotic cream over affected area
• Make the patient lie down
• Keep burnt body part at a raised level
• Skin graft may be required
• Physical therapy may be essential to aid mobility
• Splints may be used to rest affected joints
• Hospitalization is essential

Third-degree burns

• Damage occurs to all 3 skin layers
• Destroys adjacent hair follicles, sweat glands, nerve endings
• Lack of pain due to destroyed nerves
• Injured area does not turn white on touch
• No blisters observed
• Swelling occurs
• Skin develops leathery texture
• Discoloration of skin observed
• Scars develop
• Crusty surfaces (Eschars) develop-impairs circulation
• Dehydration occurs resulting in shock
• Symptoms may worsen with time
• Disfigurement may result
• Healing depends on extent of injury
• 90% body surface injury results in death
• 60% injury in elderly, fatal

Treatment

• Requires immediate hospital care
• Dehydration treated through intravenous fluid supply
• Oxygen is administered
• Eschars are surgically opened
• Periodically run clean cool water over burns
• Nutritious diet helps to heal quickly
• Regular monitoring essential
• Mental Depression treated by anti-depressants

Prevention

• Install smoke alarm in your home
• Employ 'children friendly' safety measures at home
• Avoid synthetic clothing while cooking
• Carry out fire drills at home and work place