Accidents happen and sometimes that includes minor burns. Whether it’s from a cooking or a run-in with a hot surface, knowing how to properly treat minor burns is essential for everyone. While it’s always a good to seek medical attention for severe burns, many minor burns can be managed to give first aid treatment at home with the right techniques.
In this guide, we will explore various methods and remedies for first aid treatment for minor burns, empowering you with the knowledge to provide immediate action.
What is BURNS?
Burns is an injury to the skin or other organic tissue primarily caused by heat or due to radiation, radioactivity, electricity, friction or contact with chemicals. Burns can be minor medical problems or life-threatening emergencies.
Classification of burns
1. First degree burn
These burns that only affect the outermost layer of the skin (epidermis). They are characterized by redness, pain and mild swelling.
2. Second degree burn
These burns extend beyond the epidermis and affect the underlying layer of the skin (dermis). They are characterized by very red, blistering, severe pain and swelling. A second degree burn may typically be treated as a minor burn if it is less than 2-3 inches (7 cm) in length.
3. Third degree burn
These burns are full-thickness burns that extend through all layers of the skin. In this stage it should require medical attention. They are characterized by white, charred, or leathery and can cause permanent tissue damage.
DO’s
- Gently cool the burn by placing the affected area under a stream of cool (not cold) running water for 10 minutes. In the case of a facial burn, soothe the area by applying a cool and damp cloth until the pain subsides. To ease the pain of a mouth burn caused by hot food or drink, apply ice cube in your mouth for few minutes. This can provide temporary relief and help alleviate discomfort.
- Remove carefully and immediately any objects or clothing from the burned area before swelling occurs.
- Keep blisters intact as it helps to protect against infection. If a blister does happen to break, gently clean the area with water and apply an antibiotic ointment.
- Apply a lotion, such as one containing cocoa butter oraloe vera, after the burn has cooled. This relieves the discomfort of drying.
- Wrap the burn area with clean bandage. Ensure that the bandage is wrapped loosely to avoid exerting pressure on the burned skin. Bandaging helps to minimize the pain, shields blistered skin, and prevents air exposure.
- Take a painkiller if necessary like as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), naproxen sodium (Aleve) or acetaminophen (Tylenol, others).
- If the person seems dehydrated, make sure to drinkplenty of liquids, preferably drinks containing with electrolyte.
DON’TS
- Avoid the application of ice as it may potentially lead to additional harm or damage to the skin
- Avoid using any butter, ointments, or other home remedies on the burn, as it can make worse the condition by trapping heat in the tissue.
- Don’t rupture the blisters and let allow it to blow up of its own.
- Do not postpone seeking for medical attention if the burn is bigger than the size of the victim’s palm.
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Source:
https://ameriburn.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/burnfirstaid.pdf
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12063-burns
https://www.healthline.com/health/first-aid-with-burns#minor-burns