Burns are the most common injuries in everyday life and at work. Depending on the type of agent, its volume, time of exposure and area of damage, burns can be of different severity. The article will discuss the methods of providing first aid for various types of burns and what absolutely cannot be done in the event of an injury.
Types of burns:
- thermal is the result of careless handling of fire, hot water and steam;
- chemical can be caused by caustic alkalis, strong acid solutions and concentrated substances harmful to human health (a chemical burn of the esophagus with vinegar belongs to this type);
- radiation - the result of exposure to ultraviolet, ionizing and infrared radiation;
- electrical - tissue damage due to the effect of electrical discharges on the body.
There is a certain classification of burns depending on the depth of tissue damage. According to it, the first two stages (the stage of erythema and the stage of bubbles) are classified as light, and the next two (the stage of skin necrosis and the stage of necrosis of deeper tissues) are severe and belong to deep burns. Scars after the healing of a severe burn, as a rule, remain for life.
Providing pre-medical care
Eliminating the source of damage is the primary task of first aid. If clothing is on fire, it is necessary to remove it as quickly as possible or throw a blanket (blanket) over the victim. So you will block the access of oxygen to the fire. The second stage is to free the damaged areas from clothing. It should be done easily, without effort.
Cooling the affected area. It is relevant for mild burns. This should not be done during the provision of first aid for a deep burn with hot steam.
Closing (isolating) the burn surface. This can be done with the help of a gauze bandage. It should be applied as easily as possible to avoid wound irritation and increased pain.
Pain relief is provided by tablets and injections.
Hospitalization. The victim must be taken to a medical facility as soon as possible. Especially when it comes to burning the cornea of the eye by welding.
What absolutely cannot be done:
- treat the surface of the burn with improvised means;
- treat the wound without anesthesia and sterile dressing materials;
- cannot puncture blisters from burns;
- use a tourniquet;
- peel off stuck clothes.
On our website www.dobrobut.com you will find more specific recommendations for first aid, including what to do for adults with scald burns in child
Treatment of burns
Therapy of burn wounds can be carried out by open and closed methods. Open is carried out in a chamber with a laminar flow of air, heated to 30 degrees. For the same purpose, a chamber with infrared heat sources is used. A closed method is the use of bandages with solutions of antiseptics and antiseptic ointments. Treatment of thermal skin burns of various degrees is carried out in both ways.
Features of providing assistance to children
Burns in children, unfortunately, happen often. When providing assistance to parents, some points should be considered:
- when cooling the affected surface, the baby should be wrapped in a blanket to avoid general hypothermia of the body;
- sterile bandage should be applied as easily as possible;
- you can use Panthenol spray, which helps against sunburn and household burns;
- under no circumstances should you puncture a blister that has formed at the site of a burn;
- the baby should be given soothing drops and antihistamines.
After providing first aid, an ambulance should be called. Many parents are interested in the question: "Is it possible to smear a burn with Levomekol?". Doctors recommend applying the ointment twice a day for two weeks.
Hot oil burn
Thermal damage will be more severe than with boiling water. This is explained by the high boiling point of oil (about 500 degrees), its high heat transfer and density. How to treat a hand burn with hot oil? Pre-medical and medical care is the same as for thermal injuries.
Burn of the tongue and oral mucosa: treatment
In most cases, timely help will help to avoid serious complications. Doctors recommend rinsing the mouth with cold water when the tongue and mucous membrane of the mouth are burned. If the cause of the burn is a chemical liquid, then the mouth must be additionally rinsed with a weak solution of citric acid or diluted vinegar. For acid burns, a solution of baking soda is used.
Upper respiratory tract burns: treatment
First of all, the victim should be removed from the affected area and provided with fresh air. If the patient is unconscious, put him in a semi-recumbent position. Place the unconscious victim on his side with his head raised. Before the arrival of the ambulance, it is necessary to monitor the pulse and breathing of the patient. The consequences of burns of the upper respiratory tract largely depend on the degree of damage.
Chemical eye burns: treatment
Medical care consists of washing the eyes abundantly with running water for 10 minutes and applying a gauze bandage. To avoid complications, an ophthalmologist's consultation is necessary. Consequences depend on the type of substance, its concentration, volume and aggressiveness.
Important: correct and timely qualified care for burns will help the patient recover the affected skin areas as quickly and painlessly as possible. Contact the medical center. Specialists will help in any situation and tell you what to do when red spots appear, similar to burns from borscht. You can make an appointment for a consultation on the website and at the above phone numbers.
Related services:
Dermatologist consultation
Emergency call
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