Eating hot pot: Beware of scalding the baby
In winter, with low temperatures, hot pot has become a popular delicacy among people. But this season, there are also many babies who have been scalded or burned by hot pot. So, when eating hot pot, be sure to take care of children, and adults should also pay attention to safety. Do not add fuel with fire. After eating hot pot, unplug the power in a timely manner.
Shower water: not the hotter the better
When parents give their babies a bath, if they first pour hot water into the bathtub and then add cold water, when the mother turns to take cold water, the child may reach into the bathtub to play with the water or jump into it, causing burns. Therefore, before bathing a child, be sure to put cold water first and then hot water to avoid scalding.
Hot water bag: “covering” deep wounds
Be wary of being covered by warm heating appliances. Electric heating cakes and hot water bags are mostly covered with cloth to keep the contact surface warm at 50-60 degrees Celsius. Covering them overnight can also burn the skin.
This type of burn is mainly caused by a temperature of around 50-60 degrees Celsius acting locally for too long, and heat slowly penetrating into soft tissue. It is different from burns caused by open flames, hot water, etc. On the surface, the burn area appears to be small, but the wound is deeper and can cause tissue necrosis. Surgical methods such as excision of necrotic tissue and skin transplantation are often used for treatment.
In addition, the rupture of hot water bags is the main cause of burns in winter. When the water temperature is too high and the water is filled too full, it can turn the hot water bag into a “ball”, which is prone to cracking when stepped on or squeezed.
Mini information: The heavier the deep burn, the less painful it is
Burns first damage the skin, with mild cases resulting in swelling, blistering, and pain; In severe cases, skin, blood vessels, nerves, tendons, etc. are also damaged. Due to the fact that winter burns often occur on the feet, coupled with prolonged sagging of the lower limbs and insufficient supply of fresh blood containing oxygen and nutrients, bacteria and other pathogens are prone to grow and multiply here, leading to infection and even triggering systemic infections. We classify burns into three levels:
*First degree burn: Red spots appear on the skin, similar to those exposed to the sun.
*Second degree burn: The skin immediately blisters, and after the blister ruptures, the muscle base appears pale with red spots.
*Third degree burn: At this time, the skin appears waxy white or yellow, with necrotic skin adhering to the muscle base and unable to tear off. The entire affected area lacks elasticity, like leather.
Both grade II and above should seek medical attention. It is worth noting that deep burns can damage the nerve tissue in the skin and muscles, and the heavier the burn, the less painful it is. I often see a second degree injured person shouting there, but the third degree injured person next to me doesn’t feel it. So don’t think it’s okay if you don’t feel pain. After a burn, you should promptly assess your condition and seek treatment.
Mild: can be flushed with cold water
If it is a mild burn, the burned area can be gently rinsed with tap water for about half an hour to about an hour, or soaked in cold water for about 10 minutes. Cold compress can also be considered until the injured area no longer feels pain. These measures can prevent the expansion of the scalded area and the aggravation of damage. Professor Chai Jiake, Director of the Burn and Plastic Surgery Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of the People’s Liberation Army General Hospital, pointed out that early cold water treatment after burns and scalds has great benefits for wound healing. It can reduce deep tissue damage caused by pain, edema, and residual heat, and reduce some of the toxicity of the wound. Moreover, if early treatment is timely and appropriate, the wound healing of the injured person will be faster and the scars will be lighter. You can also apply some drugs to prevent and treat infections, promote wound healing, and promote the healing of the injured area.
Experts also remind that if the injured area includes clothing, shoes, socks, etc., it is best to wait until the injury is not very painful before carefully removing the clothing to avoid aggravating the injury and causing swelling, etc. If it is a hand or foot injury, the injured area needs to be raised to reduce swelling. If conditions permit, a small hole can be punctured with a disinfectant needle to slowly drain the blood and water inside. But to avoid infection, it is best not to pick out blisters or blow air on the injured area on your own. Small blisters can be absorbed on their own, while larger blisters are best handled by professionals at the hospital.
Severe: Patients drink less water
If it is a severe burn, with a large area and deep degree, it is necessary to lay the injured person down as soon as possible, elevate the injured area, carefully inspect the injured person for any other injuries, maintain unobstructed respiratory tract, and if necessary, cut open clothes and pants. At this time, do not rinse with water. Treating with cold water may worsen systemic reactions and increase the chance of infection. Use disinfectant gauze or clean cloth to cover the wound, protect it, and seek medical treatment as soon as possible. It should be reminded not to apply any ointment or medication at this time.
After severe burns, the injured often feel hot and thirsty all over, and want to drink water. However, experts remind that if the burned area is on the face, head, neck, perineum, etc., to prevent shock, the injured person can drink some diluted saline water. But never give the injured person a large amount of plain water, mineral water, beverages, or sugar water in a short period of time. Otherwise, excessive drinking may lead to complications such as cerebral edema or pulmonary edema, and even endanger life.
Reminder: First aid, do not use local methods
Vegetable oil, sesame oil, soy sauce, vinegar, rice wine with yellow sugar, egg white, aloe vera juice, toothpaste, and other traditional methods for treating burns involve applying various strange things to the affected area. In fact, this will make it difficult for doctors to judge the condition of the wound, and there is a possibility of aggravating the wound infection and even leaving scars.
Don’t panic if you get a burn. If exposed parts such as hands and feet are burned, the burned area should be checked immediately. If the scope of the burn is very small and the skin is slightly reddened, the best way is to take “cold therapy”, which involves washing the burned limb under flowing tap water or soaking it in a large basin. If there is no tap water, the limb can be immersed in well water or river water. Cold therapy can lower local temperature, alleviate wound pain, prevent further damage from heat, and reduce exudation and edema. The duration of cold therapy is usually based on the cessation of severe pain on the wound, approximately 15-20 minutes.
If there are blisters or peeling on the burned area, immediate surgical treatment should be sought, and the blisters should not be punctured by oneself. Before seeking medical treatment, cold therapy is also essential. In addition, it is necessary to use clean towels, pillowcases, or even clothes to loosely wrap the wound area, reducing the risk of wound contamination without preventing heat dissipation.