How to Treat Burns
There are many ways people can get burned. You can get
burned by accident by walking too close to a candle, or you
get burned while you are cooking dinner. Someone in your
home can get burned and you need to know what to do in case
you are called upon to treat a burn. Every mom and dad
needs to know how to treat burns. The first rule of thumb
in how to treat burns is not to panic.
If you are caring for someone who has been burned be
reassuring. The one rule of thumb in how to treat burns is
to cool the burn. Panicking is the last thing you want to
do, because the victim needs to believe you know how to
treat burns. People who are burned may be very irritable;
try to be their source of comfort. Don't ask them if they
are in pain; you know they are. Burns hurt. The only burns
that don't hurt are third degree burns, which are medical
emergencies. If you are the person to take charge of a
situation where someone is burned, assess the situation and
act accordingly. If the burn is severe enough to warrant
emergency care, dial 911.
How do you know the severity of a burn?
Part of knowing how to treat burns is knowing how to judge
the severity of the burn injury. You will need to know how
to classify what degree of a burn you are treating. First
degree burns red and there may also be swelling present.
The skin is not broken; only the top layer of skin is
burned. There is no blistering in a first degree burn.
Second degree burns are more serious than first degree
burns because there is blistering. The epidermis (outer
layer) and the dermis (inner layer) of skin are burned.
Fluid leaves the cells of these layers and collects between
the two layers which cause blistering. A second degree burn
is characterized by blistering and severe pain. A large
area of skin involved in a second degree burn is serious
enough to need emergency care. Part of knowing how to treat
burns is realizing when outside medical care is necessary.
Calling 911 for emergency medical care is the first step in
how to treat third degree burns. Get help on the way and
then deal with the victim. Be calm yourself and do not do
or say anything to upset the victim any more than he/she
already is. Watch for signs of shock. If the victim looks
pale and becomes cold and clammy shock is setting in. Get
the victim to the floor and elevate his/her feet and legs
above the heart. Shock is a medical emergency and treating
shock is an important part of how to treat burns.
With third degree burns the victim may be alert and
oriented, and he/she may say they are not hurting. The
victim may fight against going to the hospital because of
the absence of pain. You must follow through with getting
emergency care for this victim. Explain to the victim there
is no pain with third degree burns. Place cool moist towels
over the burned area, or pour cool or tepid water over the
burn if possible. Continue cooling the wounds until
emergency medical personnel come to take over.
----------------------------------------------------
Wilfred Ball is a writer and owner of
http://www.tipsonfirstaid.com Please feel free to stop by
and browse our website. We offer plenty of quality
information on first aid and CPR through articles, ebooks,
news feeds, videos and first aid products. Don't forget to
pick up your free ebook too!
No comments:
Post a Comment