What to do in case of sustaining burn wounds

Be sure to know how to help your loved ones in case of a burn wound.

November 10, 2015

Quinton Boucher 3 minutes read

First degree burns caused by boiling water. (Photo sourced.)

Did you know one in every eight households experience a cooking related fire every year?

According to a press statement from Fedhealth, more fires start in the kitchen than in any part of the kitchen.

The majority of these fires are caused through food being left on the stove unattended. People suffering burns are unfortunately a common side effect of a house being engulfed in flames.

As burns can be extremely painful, it is imperative to be able to distinguish between serious and minor burns.

To aid residents, here is a guideline to help people know the fundamentals of what to do in the event of a burn accident:

First-degree burn:

This means only the outer layer of skin is burned. The skin is usually red, often with swelling, and pain sometimes is present.
First degree burns are considered minor burns, unless they involve substantial portions of the hands, feet, face, groin, buttocks or a major joint. If this is the case call for or get emergency medical attention.

Second-degree burn:

Here the first layer of skin has been burned through and the second layer of skin (dermis) is also burned.
Second-degree burns manifest through blisters developing and the skin will take on an intensely reddened, splotchy appearance. There will also be severe pain and swelling.
Second-degree burns no larger than 7.6 centimetres in diameter are also classified as minor burns.
However, if the burned area is larger or if the burn is on the hands, feet, face, groin, buttocks or over a major joint, treat it as a major burn and get medical help immediately.

Third-degree burn:

This is the most serious kind of burn and involves all layers of the skin and causes permanent tissue damage. Fat, muscle and even bone may be affected.
Areas may be charred black or appear dry and white.
Difficulty inhaling and exhaling, carbon monoxide poisoning, or other toxic effects may occur if smoke inhalation accompanies the burn. This is a serious burn; call for or get emergency medical help.

Treating minor burns:
1. Cool the burn by holding the burnt area under cool (not cold) running water for 10 or 15 minutes or until the pain subsides. If you do not have running water you can submerge the burnt area in cool water or cool it with cold compresses. Cooling the burn reduces swelling by conducting heat away from the skin. Do not put ice on the burn.

2. Cover the burn with a sterile gauze bandage. Wrap the gauze loosely to avoid putting pressure on burned skin. Bandaging keeps air off the burn, reduces pain and protects blistered skin. Avoid using fluffy cotton or other material as you do not want lint in the wound.

3. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever. These include aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), naproxen (Aleve) or acetaminophen (Tylenol, others).

4. Minor burns usually heal without further treatment. There may be some discolouration on the burnt area, however, if the pain increases or redness, fever, swelling or oozing occur this means it has become infected and burn victims should seek medical assistance.

5. Avoid re-injuring or tanning if the burns are less than a year old, as this can cause more extensive discolouring or pigmentation changes. Use sunscreen on the area for at least a year.

Knowing what not to do with after suffering from a burn is almost as important as knowing what to do. Different levels of burns often need to be treated differently.

For instance, submerging a minor burn under cool water is good, however, doing this to a severe burn could cause a drop in body temperature (hypothermia) and deterioration of blood pressure and circulation (shock).

1. Do not use ice. Putting ice directly on a burn can cause a person’s body to become too cold and cause further damage to the wound.