Burns and Scalds
Dr. Nilofer A R
Assistant Professor in OBG
College of medicine
Burns and Scalds
The First Aider should:
• Establish your own safety
• Stop the burning by rapid cooling
• Cover the injury
• Obtain appropriate medical treatment
Pages 60-61
Burns and Scalds
• The First Aider SHOULD NOT:
•
•
•
•
Touch the burnt area
Break blisters or remove loose skin
Use adhesive, dry or fluffy dressings
Apply anything (lotions, ointments etc) to the
burnt area
• Apply water under pressure
Pages 60-61
Burns and Scalds
• Types / Causes of burns
» Dry Burns
» Wet Burns
» Cold Burns
» Friction Burns
» Radiation Burns
» Electrical Burns
» Chemical Burns
Pages 60-61
Assessing Burns
Pages 60-61
Assessing Burns
Pages 60-61
Assessing Burns
Pages 60-61
Severe Burns and Scalds
Aims
•
•
•
•
•
Halt the burning process
Resuscitate if necessary
Treat associated injuries
Minimise risk of infection
Arrange urgent removal
to hospital
Pages 60-61
Severe Burns and Scalds
Treatment
• Lay casualty down – protecting
burned area
• Douse burn with copious amounts
of cold water (thorough cooling may
take 10 minutes)
• While cooling, check airway,
breathing, pulse
• Carefully remove rings watches etc
• Carefully remove burned clothing
unless it is sticking to the wound
Pages 60-61
Cooled clothing
removed, and
cool again
Burns and Scalds
Dressings
• Cover the burn with clean, non-fluffy
material to protect it from infection. The
dressing does not need to be secured.
Alternate Dressing
• To dress a burned hand or foot – you can
use a plastic bag or kitchen fil. Secure the
bag with a bandage or plaster around the
bag, not the skin.
Pages 60-61
Burns to Mouth and Throat
• Burns in this area are very serious as they
can cause swelling and inflammation of
the air passage. If necessary loosen
clothing from around the neck
Call for an ambulance immediately
Pages 60-61
Electrical Burn
• An electric shock from a low voltage
source can result in burns.
• These may occur at both the point of entry
and exit of the electric current.
Page 59
"More than 3,000 people a year experience
electric shocks in their home.* Electrocution
can cause heart failure and is potentially
lethal."
* DTI figures for 1999.
Page 59
Electrical Burns
Treatment
• Treat as per other burns.
• Position and direction of entry and exit wounds will
alert you to the likely extent of hidden injury, and to
the degree of shock that may ensue.
Call for an ambulance
Do NOT touch the casualty directly until
you are sure the current is switched off.
Pages 59, 60-61
Chemical Burn to Skin
• Chemical burns may be caused by
household agents such as oven cleaner or
paint stripper.
• The burns are serious but signs develop
more slowly than for thermal burns.
Chemical Burn to Skin
Recognising chemical burns
• Fierce stinging pain
• Redness or staining, followed by
• Blistering and peeling
Chemical Burn to Skin
Treatment
• Wash all traces of the
chemical but holding the
affected area under plenty of
running water.
• Gently remove any
contaminated clothing while
flooding the injury
• Loosely cover the burn with
clean, non-fluffy material. You
can wet the covering material
to aid cooling.
Chemical Burns
REMEMBER!
• Note the name of the substance that
caused the burn
• Wear protective rubber gloves
• Beware of fumes
• Irrigate for longer than you would for
thermal burns
Chemical Burn to the Eye
• Splashes of chemical can cause serious
injury if not treated quickly
• They can damage the surface of the eye
causing scarring or blindness
Aims
• To disperse the harmful chemical
• To arrange removal to hospital
"There are more than 120,000
accidents involving eye injuries every
year.* Many of us have experienced
having something in our eye, but the
trick is knowing which injuries you can
treat at home and which should be left
to the professionals."
*DTI figures for 1999.
Chemical Burn to the Eye
Treatment
• Hold the casualty’s head over a
basin with the “good” eye
uppermost.
• Gently irrigate the contaminated
eye for at least 10 minutes.
• Ensure both sides of eyelid are
thoroughly washed and that
water drains away from the face.
Chemical Burn to the Eye
Treatment cont’d
• You may find it easier to
use a jug to pour water
over the affected area.
• Avoid splashing the
“good eye with
contaminated water
Chemical Burn to the Eye
Treatment cont’d
• When the injured eye is thoroughly washed, cover it
with a sterile dressing. Hold the dressing in place
until you get medical aid.
• Take the casualty to hospital, OR
• Call an ambulance
Chemical Burn to the Eye
REMEMBER !
• DO NOT let the casualty touch his eye.
• The eye will be shut in spasm and pain, so
gently pull the eyelids open.
Thank you
End of Section