!Burns

Minor burns
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For a minor burn, immediately pour cool water over the burned
skin for 15 to 30 minutes. This will cool and clean the skin and
help reduce the pain.

Keep the area clean with mild soap and water as it heals. Honey
or aloe vera juice speed healing of smaller burns, but should be
put on only after the burn has cooled.

Minor burns should heal in about 1 to 3 weeks.

Dangerous burns
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   Dangerous burns include:
   ------------------------
    * Deep burns (called deep partial thickness, or full
      thickness burns). They do not hurt unless pressed on
      because the nerves have been destroyed. They do not
      change color if pressed on. They may look mottled in
      color, or if deeper, they may be waxy white, leathery
      gray, or charred black.
    * Large burns. A large burn is one that covers 10% or more
      of the body. Even if not deep, a burn this large is
      dangerous. You can estimate how much of the body is
      burned based on the size of the palm of the hand of the
      burned person. Does the burn cover about the size of one
      palm? That is about 1% of their body surface. 10 palms is
      about 10%.
    * A burn that affects a joint, the face, or the genitals.
      These can scar badly and disable the person, especially a
      child.
    * Burns combined with other injuries.
    * Burns in children. Children have much more difficulty
      recovering from burns and whenever possible should be
      cared for in hospitals equipped to treat burns.

   Get help for dangerous burns. On the way to the medical
   center, give small sips of water frequently if the person is
   alert. Cover the area of the burn with a very clean cloth.
   For dangerous burns, avoid immersing the burn in cold
   water - it can make the body temperature drop too low and
   the person can become dangerously cold. Try to calm the
   person.

   Treatment
   ---------
    * Salbutamol can help a person breathe more easily if they
      inhaled a lot of smoke.
    * A person with a large or deep burn can easily become
      dehydrated because body fluids are lost as they ooze from
      the burn. Give extra fluids. It is usually best to give
      intravenous (IV) fluids, but large quantities of
      rehydration drink will work for someone who is alert and
      able to drink. Watch for danger signs of shock, that can
      come from dehydration.
    * Burns and the area around them are very prone to
      infection. Keep the burn clean and wash it each day with
      running water or by briefly soaking it in clean water. A
      little mild soap is helpful but do not use disinfectants
      or iodine - they will delay healing. Gently wipe or
      scrape away small amounts of dead tissue.
    * Cover the burn with antibiotic ointment and then with
      very clean fine mesh gauze or another very clean
      dressing. Wrap firmly to create pressure without cutting
      off circulation. Change the bandage each day and every
      time it gets dirty. A dirty bandage can cause infection.
      You may need to soak off a bandage that has stuck in
      place. Be sure to individually wrap and separate burned
      fingers and toes.
    * Give antibiotics if any of these signs of infection
      appear: increasing redness, heat, pain, swelling, bad
      smell or pus, or the person gets a fever. Make sure
      tetanus vaccinations are up-to-date.
    * If a blister has opened, keep the area clean. If the
      blister has not opened, do not try to pop it. Opened
      blisters are more likely to get infected.
    * Burns are extremely painful. Do not hesitate to give
      strong pain medicine including morphine or other opiates.
      Always give pain medicine before cleaning or changing a
      dressing on a serious burn. As burns heal they can start
      to itch. An antihistamine provides some relief.
    * Plenty of nutritious food, including extra protein, is
      needed to help a burn heal. While healing, try to eat at
      least 4 meals each day that have protein (such as
      chicken, other meats, eggs, milk, fish, beans, and nuts),
      as well as snacks.
    * Burned parts may become stiff and immobile as they heal,
      especially if the burn is on a joint. These parts must be
      moved every few hours. If the person cannot move a joint
      herself, gently help her.

   As with any serious injury, get help if the person gets
   worse or you cannot provide needed care.

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from NEW WHERE THERE IS NO DOCTOR ©
Hesperian Health Guides 1919 Addison St Ste 304 Berkeley CA 94704
1.510.845.1447 [email protected]
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