Burns

The Secret of Great Health Care

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Burns

Burns

Free Health Ebook Chapter on Burns

This section will look at minor burns. Some burns can be very serious and result in prolonged hospitalization and even death. Most burns are managed outside of the hospital. The majority of burns that occur at home result form contact with hot objects, hot liquids or flames.

Burns are classified as superficial, superficial partial-thickness, deep partial-thickness and full-thickness. Minor burns are superficial burns and superficial partial-thickness burns.

Superficial burns involve only the top layer of the skin and are red, warm, mildly swollen and painful. When these burns are touched lightly they turn white.

Superficial partial thickness burns are more serious. These wounds can often be managed at home, but more serious superficial partial-thickness burns may need a doctor’s input. They are painful to not only touch, but temperature and air. There is often blistering. They are moist and sometimes leak fluid. Like superficial burns they turn white when touched.

What causes a burn
Burns can be caused by:

Heat

Electricity

Cold

Radiation

Chemicals

Friction

This section will focus mainly on burns caused by heat. Radiation burns are most commonly caused by the sun – sunburns were already discussed. Many of the other causes of burns such as electricity or chemicals requires medical attention and are outside the scope of this section.

Who needs to go to the doctor
Many burns can be treated at home, but some need a health care provider’s input. The following is a list of patients who need a health care provider’s input.

Any electrical or chemical burn

Burn that cover over 2% of the body

Burns of the face, eyes, ears, hands, feet or groin

Inhalation burns

Individuals with diabetes or another immunocompromised state such as cancer or HIV

Burns that worsen over 1-2 days after the injury

Infection – increased pain, redness, swelling, fever, discharge and heat

Burns that have not healed in seven days

How to treat
The goals of burn treatment are to improve comfort, protect the burn, prevent scarring and infection. Burns should be watched closely because the full extent of he damage may not be apparent for a up to 2 days. Wounds that progress need to be evaluated by a health care provider.

Remove any clothing or jewelry from the area that was burned. The area may swell and make it hard to remove later. Do not remove clothing that is stuck to the skin.

When the minor burn occurs the most important step is to cool the wound by running cool tap water over it for 10-30 minutes. Do not use ice or ice water – this may cause the wound to get worse as it closes the blood vessels to the burn.

After the area has been cooled it should be cleaned with soap and water. Use a mild soap such as a baby wash. Do not use alcohol based products or hydrogen peroxide.

If the wound is weeping it should be soaked for 15-30 minutes in cool tap water 3-6 times a day. Wet burns can be protected by a cream and/or an absorbent dressing

Do not burst the blisters as they are protective. When the blisters break spontaneously the area is cleaned with soap and water 1-2 times a day and an antibiotic cream can be applied. If the blister is open and/or draining it can be covered with a non-adherent dressing.

Lotions may be applied to ease the pain. The use of aloe vera, hydrocortisone can be used for minor burns. Topical antibiotics may provide some protection against infection if the skin is broken. A lotion use as Lubriderm can be used on minor burns. Do not apply any lotions if there are scabs, open areas or fluid draining from the burn.

Any pain that is present can be treated with over-the-counter mediations such as acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen. Medications with anti-inflammatory action (aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen) may be more effective. Multiple products contain lidocaine, which is a medication that is locally applied to reduce pain. The length of time that this product works is usually less than one hour.

Superficial partial-thickness burns should be soaked in cool water for about 15 minutes. It should than be washed in soap and water and an antibiotic ointment can be used and then a dressing that does not stick to the wound can cover the area. The dressing should be changed every day.

Superficial burns heal in about 3-6 days while superficial partial thickness burns heal in 2-3 weeks. More severe burns take even longer.

Burns caused by chemicals should be rinsed well with vast amounts of clear water to remove the chemical and another substances that are in the wound. If an individual has a large burn than cold water should not be applied as it may adversely affect the person’s temperature status.

Any one involved in a fire accident should be evaluated by a health care provider, as there is high risk of smoke inhalation and damage to the lungs.