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Posted 02/15/2022 in Hospitalists

how to treat minor burns basic first aid


how to treat minor burns basic first aid

To soothe the area, apply an antiseptic spray or antibiotic ointment. Wrap a gauze bandage around your burn. 2. Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen to relieve pain. A burn is tissue damage caused by overexposure to radiation or scalding, contact with flames, chemicals, electricity, or smoke inhalation. Is it a major burn or a minor one? For major burns, call 911 immediately or go to an emergency room. * Are deep * Make sure the skin is dry and leathery * Can appear charred, or have white, brown, or black patches * Do not exceed 3 inches (8 centimeters) in circumference or cover the hands and feet. Minor burns that don't need emergency care might involve:

 * A superficial reddishness that is similar to a sunburn * Pain * Blisters * A maximum area of 3 inches (about 8 cms) Major burns can be treated Until emergency help arrives: * Keep the person who has been burned from any further injury. As long as you are able to do so safely, ensure that the person you are helping is not in direct contact with the source. Before you approach an individual with electrical burns, ensure that the power supply is turned off. * Make sure that the person who was burned is still breathing. If you have the knowledge, start rescue breathing. * Take off jewelry and belts from burned areas, as well as the neck. The swelling of burnt areas can be rapid. * Cover the burn area. Apply a moist, cool bandage or a clean towel. * Do not immerse severe burns in water. This could lead to hypothermia (serious loss of body heat). * Lift the burnt area. If possible, raise the wound above your heart. Watch out for signs and symptoms of shock. You may experience fainting, pallor, or shallow breathing. Minor burns can be treated For minor burns:

 * Cool the burn. Keep the area covered with cool (not cold!) running water until it stops hurting. * Take out any rings or other items that may be clinging to the area. Do this quickly and gently to prevent the area from swelling. * Don't break blisters. Infection prevention is possible with fluid-filled blisters. You can clean a broken blister with water. Mild soap is not necessary. Use an antibiotic ointment. If a rash develops, discontinue using the antibiotic ointment. * Apply lotion. After the burn has cooled down, apply lotion. This will prevent dryness and provide relief. * Apply bandage to the burn. Use sterile gauze to cover the wound. It should be wrapped loosely to avoid pressure on the skin. Bandaging helps to keep air out of the affected area, reduces pain, protects skin from blisters, and prevents further injury. * Take an over-the-counter pain reliever if necessary, such as ibuprofen (Advil), Motrin IB (others), naproxen sodium [Aleve], or acetaminophen (“Tylenol”), among others. * Analgesia--Exposed nerve ends can cause pain. The pain can be reduced by cooling the area and covering it with a bandage. Although opioids may initially be necessary to manage pain, once first aid measures have been successful, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like co-dydramol or ibuprofen is taken orally will suffice. * Covering the burn--Dressings should be applied to the area and kept warm. Cling film, also known as polyvinyl chloride (cling film), is a great first aid cover. As long as you discard the first few cm of the commercially available roll, it is basically sterile. The dressing is flexible, transparent, non-adherent, and impermeable. This dressing should be applied to the wound, not wrapped. This is particularly important for limbs as swelling can lead to constriction. The blanket can be placed over the top to keep the patient warm. Cling film can not be used if a clean, sterile cotton sheet is available. To prevent hand burns from limiting mobility, a clear plastic bag can be used to cover them. Avoid using wet dressings as heat loss can be significant during a hospital transfer. Avoid the use of any topical creams at this stage. They may affect the subsequent assessment of the burn. Paramedics often use cooling gels like Burnshield. These gels are helpful in relieving pain and cooling the burn. * Specialist dressings There are many specialist dressings available. Some are made for specific situations, but all are easy to use. These are some of the most popular. * Flamazine, a silver sulfadiazine cream, is used topically to treat burn wounds. It can be used topically to treat gram-negative bacteria, including Pseudomonas. The dressing will turn green if it is infected with this bacteria. Cover the cream with gauze and apply it in a layer of 3-5mm thickness. You should remove the cream and apply it again every 2 days. Reversible leucopenia is reported to be between 3-5% and 5%. * Granulflex is an hydrocolloid dressing that has a thin, polyurethane foam layer bonded to a semipermeable membrane. This dressing is waterproof and adhesive, making it useful for areas that are difficult to reach or where other dressings may not be suitable. The 2 cm border should be used. It creates a healing environment by keeping the wound moist. It should be replaced every three to four days. However, it can be left on for up to seven days. Duoderm is also an option. * Mepitel, a flexible polyamide mesh coated with soft silicone, is a non-adhesive dressing similar to Jelonet. When easy removal is desired, it is an effective but costly alternative to Jelonet. 

Sources:

https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/injured-skin/burns/treat-minor-burns

https://www.maxhealthcare.in/blogs/first-aid-for-burns-caution-actions-home-care




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