Burns

Hello airclinicians and steemains 🤗

Its first aid Friday where we learn quick steps to save lives before referring them to a health expert.

last topic was NAUSEA today we are going to be talking about BURNS/SCALDS.

WHAT IS BURNS?
This is a damage to the skin or deeper tissues caused by sun, hot liquids, fire, electricity or chemicals.Its actually very common occurrence with 1.5 m cases per year in Nigeria.

The degree of severity of most burns is based on the size and depth of the burn.

Electrical burns, however, are more difficult to diagnose because they’re capable of causing significant injury beneath the skin without showing any signs of damage on the surface.

Symptoms range from a feeling of minor discomfort to a life-threatening emergency, depending on the size and depth (degree) of the burn.

Sunburn and small scalds can often be treated at home. Deep or widespread burns and chemical or electrical burns need immediate medical care, often at specialized burn units.

some burns with minor injuries you can be treated at home. Others can cause lasting damage to the skin, muscles, and bones and require long-term medical care.

COMMON CAUSES OF BURNS
Open flames are one of the most common reasons that people get burned, but there are many other causes. They include:

Friction burns
Occurs when a hard object rubs off some of the skin when this occurs one is said to have a friction burn. It’s both an abrasion (scrape) and a heat burn. These are common in motorcycle and bike accidents. Carpet burn is another type of friction burn.

Cold burns.
Also called frostbite”. cold burns cause damage to the skin by freezing it. You can get frostbite by being outside in freezing temperatures. It can also happen when the skin comes into direct contact with something very cold for a prolonged period of time.

Thermal burns.
Touching a very hot object raises the temperature of the skin to the point that the skin cells start dying. Very hot metals, scalding liquids, and flames all cause thermal burns. Steam can also cause thermal burns too.

Radiation burns.
sunburn is a type of radiation burn. Other sources of radiation eg X-rays or radiation therapy to treat cancer can cause radiation burns

Chemical burns.
Strong acids, solvents or detergents that touch the skin can cause it to burn.

Electrical burns.
If the skin comes into contact with an electrical current, It can get burnt.

HOW BAD? (DEGREE OF BURNS)
First-degree.
These burns only affect the outer layer of the skin. In a mild sunburn one example, the skin may be red and painful, but the patient won’t have any blisters. Long-term damage is rare.

Second-degree.
In this type of burn, the outer layer of the skin as well the dermis (the layer underneath) –is damaged. The skin will be bright red, swollen, and may look shiny and wet. blisters could also be seen, and the area of the skin will hurt to the touch.

If somebody has a superficial second-degree burn, only part of your dermis is damaged and there may not be scarring.

A deep partial thickness burn is more severe. It may leave a scar or cause a permanent change in the color of the skin.

Third-degree.
This is Sometimes called a “full thickness burn,” this type of injury destroys two full layers of the skin. Instead of turning red, it may appear black, brown, white or yellow. It won’t hurt because this type of burn damages nerve endings.

Fourth-degree.
This is the deepest and most severe of burns. They’re potentially life-threatening. These burns destroy all layers of your skin, as well as the bones, muscles, and tendons.

THE DO’S OF BURNS (FIRST AID).

First make sure you are safe. (In case of a spreading fire)
put the burnt area under cool running water for at least 20 minutes, but don’t use ice.
Use a hydro-gel for first aid if water is not available.
Remove any clothing near the burn that is not stuck to it.
Remove any jewelry near the burn if that is easy to do.
Take painkillers like paracetamol and anti-inflammatory tablets.
If it’s a chemical burn, take off any contaminated clothing. For dry chemicals, brush off the chemicals before putting the burnt area under water.
If the burn is to the arm or leg, raise it whenever possible to reduce swelling.
THE DONT’S OF BURNS
don’t put a child with burns into a bath full of cold water.
if blisters develop don’t pop them, visit your doctor in case they need to be removed!
don’t use any ointments or creams on a burn. They seal heat and can cause more damages.
Most small burns will heal themselves in 10-12 days. If the burn does not have any blisters or broken skin, such as sunburn, a simple moisturizer such as sorbolene is the best treatment. For all other burns seek medical treatment for appropriate dressings.

If things get worse, or if you are not up to date with tetanus injections, see your doctor.

Thanks for reading.