Small area burns
After a minor burn, apply cold compress immediately, the faster the better. You can use clean water to rinse slightly above the scalded area. Do not boil the water too much, and rinse continuously for more than ten minutes. This not only relieves pain, but also prevents burns from extending deeper.
Judging the severity of burns based on their area
The severity of burns is closely related to their area and depth. Therefore, a correct understanding and estimation of burn area is one of the important criteria for judging injury severity and treatment. In the first aid and subsequent treatment of burns, a quick and accurate estimate of the burn area must be made. Generally speaking, in the overall surface area, the head and neck of adults account for 9%, the upper limbs each account for 9%, the trunk and perineum account for 3 x 9%, and the buttocks and lower limbs account for 5 x 9%+1 (46%). The characteristic of children is that their head is large and their legs are small, and attention should be paid to estimating the burn area. Due to the many factors involved in the prognosis of burns, if not handled properly, mild symptoms can also become severe. Therefore, if conditions permit, burn patients should go to the hospital for diagnosis and treatment. When the burn area reaches 20% for adults and 10% for children, emergency medical attention should be sought.
Large area burns
To save time and prevent blistering, you can wear clothes (if the coat is very dirty, you can take off the coat first) and rinse with water to cool for 5-20 minutes. Then, gently remove the clothes and wrap the wound with clean gauze. There is no need to worry too much about a first degree burn, but if the burn area is large, it must be taken to the hospital for treatment. Burn areas are prone to infection, so be sure to wrap them with clean gauze. For larger areas, wrap them with clean sheets. Burns can cause dehydration and decreased blood pressure, which can lead to shock, so it is necessary to slightly raise the limbs.
Judging the depth of burns based on their symptoms and experience
In real life, there is a significant difference between mild localized burns and life-threatening severe burns. Therefore, it is very important to correctly grasp the standards for judging the depth of burns in order to adopt emergency methods and treatment measures.
Grade I local erythema and burning sensation
All will recover in a few days
Reason: Long exposure to direct sunlight, burns from hot water, etc
Shallow Grade II blisters, thin blister skin, base flushing, and severe pain
It will take at least 2 weeks to improve
Reason: Long exposure to direct sunlight, burns from hot water, etc
Small deep second degree blisters, thick blister skin, redness at the base point, bleeding points, and pain
Healing takes 3-5 weeks, and if secondary infection occurs, it can progress to grade III
Reason: Caused by hot pot oil, high-temperature metal, etc
Third degree local skin is leather like, grayish white or even burnt black, dry, and pain disappears
After 3-5 weeks, the scab falls off and granulation wounds appear, which usually require skin grafting to heal
Reason: Burns caused by drugs such as strong acids and bases
Chemical burns
Some chemicals will react with water and release heat, so for this type of burn, it is necessary to rinse with a large amount of cold water, wipe it clean, wrap it with gauze, and go to the hospital for treatment. For burns caused by acidic or alkaline chemicals, immediate medical treatment is necessary.
Chemical burns to the eyes
Place the injured side’s face downwards, the healthy side’s face upwards, and flush water from the nose towards the cheek on the injured eye side. Be sure to use a shower and do not turn on too much water. If the chemical is solid, it can be removed with a cotton swab, wrapped and sent to the hospital.
Facial burns
You can use a basin filled with water to soak your face in water and wash it, or cover your face with a damp towel and apply a cold compress for 15 minutes. If blisters appear, be careful not to break them. Wet towels should be replaced several times.
When clothes are burning
When clothes are on fire, take them off quickly. In emergency situations, you can also pour water while wetting the ground. The injured can roll on the ground to extinguish the fire. When underwear, shoes, socks, etc. cannot be taken off in time, you can use water to burn the fire. If hair is on fire, you can place it under the shower, faucet to flush water, or use a wet towel to extinguish the fire.
Burns in the cold season
You can cover the hospital with a cold or wet towel. Note that the degree of cold compress should not be excessive, and other parts should be kept warm. If rinsed with cold water for too long, it can lead to a decrease in body temperature and cause other diseases. The most basic emergency treatment for burns is to pay attention to cleanliness to prevent infection; Next is the insulation in cold compress, especially for children and the elderly.
Always be careful to prevent children from getting burned
1. When taking a bath in the bathtub, be careful not to fall and get burned.
2. Places with flammable materials, gas, and heaters should not be accessible to children.
3. Do not play with matches and lighters for children.
4. Hot water bottles should be placed out of reach of children.
5. When cooking in an oil pot, do not let children stay next to you.
6. Educate children from an early age to develop good habits of self-protection in daily life.
7. Family members should learn and master the principles and methods of initial treatment for burns.
