!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:
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* 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
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* 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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