First Aid for Burns: Immediate Actions and Long-term Care

Burns can happen unexpectedly and range from minor to severe, requiring immediate first aid and long-term care. MyCPR NOW acknowledges the importance of knowing how to respond promptly to burns to minimize their impact and promote effective healing. This article explores the essential first aid steps to take immediately after a burn occurs and provides guidance on long-term care for a successful recovery.

Understanding Burn Severity

1. Categorizing Burns: First, Second, and Third Degree Burns

• First-degree burns: Affect only the outer layer of skin (epidermis). Symptoms include redness, mild swelling, pain, and dry skin. Sunburn is a common example of a first-degree burn.

• Minor burns: Typically heal within about 14 days and leave minimal scarring. It is important to keep the area clean during healing to manage pain and prevent infection.

• Second-degree burns: Affect both the outer layer (epidermis) and the underlying layer (dermis) of the skin. Symptoms include intense redness, pain, swelling, and blistering. The blisters may be filled with clear fluid and can burst, leading to raw, exposed skin.

• Third-degree burns: Extend through all layers of the skin and can damage underlying tissues, including fat, muscles, and even bones. The affected area may appear white, blackened, or charred, and the skin may be numb due to nerve damage. Third-degree burns are the most severe and often require surgical intervention.

2. Assessing Burn Size

• Rule of Nines: This method is used to estimate the total body surface area (TBSA) affected by burns. The body is divided into sections, each representing 9% (or multiples of 9%) of the TBSA. For example, each arm is 9%, each leg is 18%, the torso is 36%, the head is 9%, and the genital area is 1%. This estimation helps determine the severity and necessary treatment of the burn.

Immediate First Aid for Burns

1. Removing the Source

• Safely removing the cause of the burn: Move the person away from the heat source, extinguish flames with a blanket or by having them "stop, drop, and roll," or flush away chemicals with copious amounts of water. For electrical burns, ensure the power source is turned off before assisting the victim to prevent further injury.

2. Cooling the Burn

Applying cool water: Run cool (not cold) water over the burn area for 10-20 minutes to reduce pain and swelling. Do not use ice or very cold water, as this can cause further tissue damage. Cooling the burn helps to reduce the temperature of the skin and prevent further injury to the tissues. However, care should be taken to prevent hypothermia, especially in vulnerable populations like young children and the elderly, as a person's body temperature drops below 35C (95F).

Handling Specific Types of Burns: Chemical and Electrical Burns

1. Chemical Burns

• Irrigating the area: Immediately flush the affected area with large amounts of cool running water for at least 20 minutes to remove the chemical. Avoid using a hard stream of water, as it can cause the chemical to spread to unaffected areas.

• Neutralizing the chemical: Some chemicals require specific neutralizers. Always consult safety data sheets (SDS) or seek medical advice for the correct treatment. Do not attempt to neutralize the chemical without proper guidance, as it can cause further damage.

2. Electrical Burns

• Assessing for internal injuries: Electrical burns may cause internal damage, including cardiac arrest or respiratory failure. Check for entry and exit wounds, as electrical current travels through the body, and monitor for signs of shock or other injuries.

• Providing immediate care: Ensure the person is safe from the electrical source before offering aid. Call emergency services promptly, as internal injuries may not be immediately apparent but can be life-threatening.

Dressing and Protecting the Burn

1. Using Sterile Dressings

Applying sterile dressings: Proper burn treatment involves covering the burn with a clean, non-stick sterile dressing to protect it from infection and promote healing. Do not use cotton balls or other materials that can leave fibers in the wound. Secure the dressing loosely to avoid putting pressure on the burned area.

2. Keeping the Area Elevated

• Elevating the affected limb: If possible, elevate the burned area above heart level to reduce swelling and pain. Elevation helps to decrease blood flow to the injured area, reducing inflammation and fluid accumulation.

Long-Term Care for Burns: Skin Grafts and Rehabilitation

1. Treating Blisters

• Properly caring for burn blisters: Do not burst blisters, as they protect the underlying tissue from infection. Cover with a sterile, non-stick dressing and change it daily or if it becomes wet or dirty. Seek medical advice if blisters are large, painful, or show signs of infection (redness, swelling, pus).

2. Preventing Infection

Practicing good wound care: Keep the burn clean and dry. Wash your hands before touching the wound or changing dressings. Use mild soap and water to clean the area gently, and apply antibiotic ointment as directed by a healthcare professional. Monitor for signs of infection, such as increased redness, swelling, warmth, or pus. Medical treatment may include the use of specific medications and products to assist in the healing process after receiving first aid for major burns.

Over-the-Counter Remedies for Burns

1. Topical Creams

• Using topical creams: Aloe vera gel, burn ointments, or antibiotic creams can soothe the skin, reduce pain, and prevent infection. Consult a healthcare professional before use to ensure the appropriate treatment for the burn severity.

2. Pain Management

• Using over-the-counter pain relievers: Non-prescription pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help manage pain and reduce inflammation. Follow the dosage instructions on the packaging or as directed by a healthcare professional.

Seeking Medical Attention

1. When to Consult a Healthcare Professional

• Recognizing situations that require medical attention: Seek medical help for burns larger than 3 inches in diameter, burns on the face, hands, feet, genitals, or over major joints, or if signs of infection develop. Additionally, seek help for chemical or electrical burns, or if the person experiences difficulty breathing, extreme pain, or other concerning symptoms.

2. Burn Center Referral

Understanding the criteria for referring severe burns: Severe burns may require specialized treatment at a burn center. Criteria include deep burns, burns on critical areas, burns covering a significant portion of the body, burns accompanied by inhalation injury, and burns in individuals with preexisting medical conditions. For serious burns, treatment may involve various medical interventions, including the necessity of skin grafts to cover large wounds.

Psychological Support

1. Coping with the Emotional Impact

• Providing emotional support for burn victims: Burns can have a significant psychological impact. Offer compassionate support, listen to their concerns, and encourage them to express their feelings. Acknowledge their pain and fear, and provide reassurance and comfort.

2. The Importance of Psychological Healing

Understanding the role of mental well-being in the recovery process: Psychological healing is essential for overall recovery. Burn victims may experience anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Professional counseling or support groups can provide valuable assistance in coping with the emotional aftermath of a burn injury.

In addition to psychological healing, physical and occupational therapy play a crucial role in the recovery process, especially for patients with extensive burns affecting joints. Physical therapy exercises help maintain flexibility in the skin and improve muscle strength, which is vital for overall mobility. Occupational therapy focuses on restoring the ability to perform daily activities, ensuring that patients regain their independence and quality of life.

Prevention and Burn Safety

1. Fire Safety

• Implementing measures to prevent burns from fires: Install smoke detectors in every room and check them regularly. Keep fire extinguishers accessible and ensure all household members know how to use them. Practice fire drills and have an evacuation plan in place.

2. Burn Prevention in the Home

• Creating a safe environment to reduce the risk of burns: Use caution with hot liquids, avoid overloading electrical outlets, keep chemicals out of reach of children, and use stove guards and fire-resistant materials in the kitchen. Educate children about the dangers of hot surfaces and flames.

MyCPR NOW's First Aid Training

1. Comprehensive Burn First Aid

• Inclusive first aid training covering burns and other medical emergencies: MyCPR NOW offers courses that provide detailed instructions on handling burn emergencies effectively. Training includes recognizing burn severity, administering immediate first aid, and providing long-term care.

2. Ongoing Education

• Ensuring up-to-date knowledge and skill retention: Regular training updates ensure individuals are prepared to handle burn emergencies confidently. Continuing education helps maintain proficiency in first aid techniques and knowledge of the latest best practices.

Conclusion

First Aid for Burns: Immediate Actions and Long-term Care emphasizes the crucial role of first aid in burn management. The immediate response of removing the source and cooling the burn with cool water can significantly reduce burn severity. Proper dressing and protection, as well as long-term care and infection prevention, are essential for a successful recovery. MyCPR NOW provides comprehensive first aid training that equips individuals with the knowledge and skills to respond effectively to burns and other emergencies. Psychological support plays a vital role in the healing process, recognizing the emotional impact burns can have on individuals. By implementing burn prevention measures and promoting burn safety, we can work towards reducing burn incidents. For severe burns, treatment may involve surgical interventions such as a skin graft, which involves removing burnt skin and replacing it with healthy skin taken from another part of the body. MyCPR NOW encourages individuals to be prepared for emergencies and empowered to provide immediate and effective first aid for burns, ensuring better outcomes and promoting overall safety and well-being.