First Aid – Handling an Emergency

Burns and Scalds

The very thought of a burn, however small, runs shivers down the spine. Burns can be very painful and often too dangerous to be ignored. Medical attention in case of a burn becomes a priority. Of course, being a little extra careful, especially when there are children around the house, making sure the appliances and the necessary tools that are used daily in the kitchen are all well maintained and the fire sources are placed properly will certainly help preventing a few accidents. However, one can never be careful enough. Burns and scalds are commonplace in most kitchens. Minor burns however can be treated at home and in most cases heal naturally. Find out how to distinguish between a minor and a major emergency. How to seek and give help when there is a burn emergency in your home to the keep the damage to the minimum.

Many burns need medical attention because there is a risk of infection and shock. A young child or the elderly should always be taken to a doctor.

Minor or first degree burns.

1. If the size of burn or scald is smaller than a 50ps coin and is very painful then chances are that it is a superficial burn and will in most cases heal naturally.

2. If possible remove rings, wrist or constricting clothing from the burnt before the area begins to swell.

3. Put the area under slow running water for about 10 minutes or longer if the pain continues. If the burnt or scalded area is a limb then it is simpler to keep it immersed in a tub or bucket of tap water till the pain subsides.

4. A clean sterile cloth or soft non fluffy cloth may be used to cover the burn may help.

2nd degree burns

1. You can recognise a second degree burn. It will have the characteristics of first degree burn, like the redness, swelling. pain, in addition to those, the skin will appear blotchy and blisters may form on the skin and the pain will be much more intense. These are generally the result of a very hot liquid spilling on someone or skin coming in contact with a hot item like a pan or hot iron etc. Second degree burn is called so because the burn penetrates into the second layer of the skin.

2. Remove any clothing, jewellery etc. that is close to the skin. DO NOT peel of any clothing that is stuck to the skin, 3. If the burn area is smaller than

3 inches in size treat it the same way as you would a first degree burn. Cool the burn area and bandage it loosely. Bandaging keeps air off the burn reduces pain and protects blistered skin.

4. Take a over the counter pain reliever.

5. Give small sips of water to replenish any lost body fluids.

3rd  degree burns

The most serious burns involve all layers of the skin and cause permanent tissue damage. Fat, muscle and even bone may be affected. These require immediate medical attention. These occur when extended exposure to a very hot object burns through all three layers of your skin, sometimes causing muscle, fat, and bone damage. 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. Seek medical immediately.

1. Don’t remove burned clothing. However, do make sure the victim is no longer in contact with smouldering materials or exposed to smoke or heat.

2. Don’t immerse large severe burns in cold water. Doing so could cause a drop in body temperature (hypothermia) and deterioration of blood pressure and circulation (shock).

3. Check for signs of circulation (breathing, coughing or movement). If there is no breathing or other sign of circulation, begin CPR.

4. Elevate the burned body part or parts. Raise above heart level, when possible.

5. Cover the area of the burn. Use a cool, moist, sterile bandage; clean, moist cloth; or moist cloth towels.

Some home remedies for first and some second degree burns:

1. Use cool water or cold compress. Remember, do not use Ice.

2. Use a salt solution. Help to heal your burn and keep it clean by rinsing it every hour with a salt solution. Mix one tablespoon of salt with an 8oz cup of warm water and allow it to cool. Then, slowly pour the solution over your burned skin.

3. Try using black tea. Black tea contains tannic acid, which helps to draw heat from the deepest part of your burn. It therefore speeds the healing process and may remove some of your pain. Soak a few tea bags in some luke- warm water. Cool and use.

4. Honey, Non-fat milk and Aloe Vera gel or Vinegar relieve pain in minor burns too

5. Do not use butter, egg whites or other ointments that might trap the heat inside the wound and slow down healing process.

6. Never, remember never prick or pop open a blister or try to peel burnt skin. This might lead to infection.

7. Seek medical help immediately for any kind of electric or chemical burns. Also if the injured person is, above 60 years old, less than 5 years old, is pregnant, shows symptoms of a shock, has difficulty breathing.

- Veena ShyamRaja