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EDUCATION
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FIRST AID FOR MINOR BURNS
BURNS AWARENESS MONTH
MAY 2017
CUT OUT & KEEP
A
burn 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 .
The skin has an important role to play in the fluid and temperature regulation of the body . If enough skin area is injured , the ability to maintain that control can be lost .
In South Africa , burns are the greatest cause of unnatural death among children under age five . Burns commonly result from the sun , scalding by hot liquids , fire , electricity , or chemicals . Very young children have especially sensitive skin and even a burn from a cup of coffee can prove fatal .
While minor burns on fingers and hands are usually not dangerous , burns injuring even relatively small areas of skin can cause serious complications .
It is essential to apply appropriate first aid to any burn or scald as soon as possible . This will limit the amount of damage to the skin .
WHAT TO DO :
B urns are a global public health problem , accounting for an estimated 265 000 deaths annually
WHAT NOT TO DO :
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For minor burns , including first-degree burns and second-degree burns limited to an area no larger than 7.5 cm in diameter , take the following action :
· Cool the burn . Hold the burned area under cool ( not cold ) running water for 10-15 minutes or until the pain subsides . If this is impractical , immerse the burn in cool water or cool it with cold compresses . Cooling the burn reduces swelling by conducting heat away from the skin .
· Do not use ice . Putting ice directly onto a burn worsens tissue injury and can cause a burn victim ’ s body to become too cold .
· Do not apply butter or oil to the burn as this could cause infection .
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· Make sure that the person keeps warm . Use a blanket or layers of clothing ( avoiding the injured area ) to prevent hypothermia occurring , when a person ’ s body temperature drops below 35 ° C . This is a risk when cooling a large burnt area , particularly in children and the elderly .
· 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 . If bandages are not available , cover the burn with a layer of cling film over the burn , rather than wrapping it around a limb . A clean , clear plastic bag can be used for burns on the hands or feet .
· Take an OTC pain reliever . For pain relief use aspirin , ibuprofen , naproxen , or paracetamol . Ibuprofen and naproxen will also help to prevent swelling . Minor burns with reddened skin and no blisters may be treated with a topical burn spray . Use a skin care product that protects and heals skin , such as aloe vera cream or an antibiotic ointment .
· Do not break blisters as these are more vulnerable to infection .
· Do not use fluffy cotton or other material that may get lint in the wound .
CLASSIFICATION Burns are classified based on their depth , however it is important to understand that burns are not static and may mature . In a matter of hours a first degree burn may involve deeper structures and become a second degree burn . Sun burns are a perfect example of this which may just appear red but a day later may blister . Similarly , second degree burns may evolve into third degree burns . This is what makes urgent treatment so important .
18 | MAY 2017 Pharmacy Magazine
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