The ManicaPost
Dr Tendai Zuze
AS we get deeper into winter, the cold weather provides the potential for some people to get burnt.
How you deal with a burn soon after it happens is important in the long term outcome.
An important consideration is the seriousness of the burn, which is determined by its degree.
First degree burns, the least serious, are those in which only the outer layer of skin is burnt, but not all the way through. With first degree burns:
The skin is usually red
Often there is swelling
Pain is sometimes present
Treat a first-degree burn as a minor burn unless it involves substantial portions of the hands, feet, face, groin or buttocks, or a major joint, which requires emergency medical attention.
Second degree burns are when the first layer of the skin has been burned through and the second layer of skin (dermis) is also burned.
With second degree burns:
Blisters develop
Skin takes on an intensely reddened, splotchy appearance
There is severe pain and swelling.
If the second-degree burn is less than about 8cm in diameter, treat it as a minor burn.
If the burned area is larger or if the burn is on the hands, feet, face, groin or buttocks, or over a major joint, treat it as a major burn and get medical help immediately.
For minor burns, including first-degree and second-degree burns limited to an area no larger than 8cm in diameter, take the following action:
Cool the burn.
Hold the burned area under cool (not cold) running water for 10 or 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.
Don’t put ice on the burn.
Cover the burn with a sterile gauze bandage. Don’t use fluffy cotton or other material that may get lint in the wound.
Wrap the gauze loosely to avoid putting pressure on the burned skin. Bandaging keeps air off the burn, reduces pain and protects blistered skin.
Take an over-the-counter pain reliever. These include aspirin, brufen, and paracetamol. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns.
Apply burn cream such as silver sulferdiazide(SSD) or betadine burn cream.
Minor burns usually heal without further treatment.
They may heal with pigment changes, meaning the healed area may be a different colour from the surrounding skin.
Watch for signs of infection such as increased pain, redness, fever, swelling or oozing. If infection develops, seek medical help.
Avoid re-injuring or tanning if the burns are less than a year old as doing so may cause more extensive pigmentation changes.
Don’t 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.
Don’t apply egg whites, butter or ointments to the burn.
This could cause infection.
Don’t break blisters. Broken blisters are more vulnerable to infection.
Third degree burns, the most serious ones, involve all layers of the skin and cause permanent tissue damage.
Fat, muscle and even the 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.
For major burns, call an ambulance or rush to the nearest emergency unit.
Meanwhile, follow these steps:
Don’t remove burned clothing.
However, make sure the victim is no longer in contact with smouldering materials, smoke or heat.
Don’t immerse severe burns in cold water. Doing so could cause a drop in body temperature (hypothermia) and deterioration of blood pressure and circulation (shock).
Check for signs of circulation (breathing, coughing or movement). If there is no breathing or other sign of circulation, begin CPR.
Elevate the burned body part or parts. Raise above heart level, when possible.
Cover the area of the burn.
Use a cool, moist, sterile bandage; clean, moist cloth; or moist cloth towels.
Get a tetanus shot. Burns are susceptible to tetanus. If your last shot was more than five years ago, your doctor may recommend a tetanus shot booster.
Remember, these are only first aid measures, if you have concerns with any sort of burn please consult a healthcare professional.
Also remember to practice physical distancing, mask up and wash your hands often as Covid-19 is still a huge threat.
