Burns and Scalds - First Aid

[Music] Burns and scalds are injuries resulting from contact with fire electricity friction steam or boiling liquids they are classified by the degree of injury to the body tissues the seriousness of a burn or scald depends on the size of the area affected as well as the depth of the damage to the tissues first deegree burns are the least serious they involve only the outer skin which is rened accompanied by slight swelling second degree burns affect the UND skin and result in blisters third degree burns are Burns in which the skin is destroyed and the tissues underneath are damaged in severe cases muscles nerves and blood vessels may be destroyed and the whole area charred when a large portion of the body is covered by second degree burns death may occur but a much smaller area injured by third degree burns can also cause death physical shock is chiefly responsible for deaths that occur during the first day or two after the injury and when burns are extensive and shock is severe death frequently occurs in the first few hours first remove all clothing from the injured area unless it is stuck to the skin if it is cut away the clothing around it first aid treatment for burns and skulls is aimed primarily at excluding air from the affected area relieving pain minimizing and treating for shock and preventing infection cover Burns or scalds as soon as possible with a clean cold moist dressing made from gauze or bandage material that has been dipped in cold water or into a solution of 3 tblspoon of baking soda per quart of water if available use four to six layers of loosely applied gauze and cover the entire area of the burn with the dressing keep the patient covered since there will be a tendency to chill and treat him for shock which can be severe in the case of burns no grease or oil should be applied as these make it necessary to clean the affected area with solvents before medical treatment can begin water soluble preparations may be used provided they have been approved by a physician be careful when dressing Burns in skulls because they are subject to infection the same as open wounds do not break blisters in the burned area and never permit burned surfaces to come in contact with each other apply several layers of dressing which have been soaked in a water and baking soda Solution on the wounds to separate these surfaces bandages and cover dressing should be loose enough to prevent pressure on the burned surfaces and they should be checked frequently to see that they don't become too tight in case of swelling a severely burned person needs fluids if medical help is going to be delayed give him a half glass of a water salt and soda solution this this is prepared with one level teaspoon of table salt and 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda per quart of water if medical help is immediately available do not give him fluids by mouth again treat the injured person for physical shock the eyes are particularly sensitive to a variety of chemical substances such as lime cement costic soda acids and alkaly when a person has been burned by chemicals wash the area thoroughly with clean water to dilute the chemical do not use a neutralizing solution in the eye keep a continuous stream of water flowing over the burned area from a spet or container for 5 minutes or more then give the same first aid treatment as for any other burn for extensive Burns and all other burns on the body follow the three fundamental steps one remove clothing from the burned area of the body except where stuck to the skin two apply a cool moist dressing of gauze or other bandage materials Loosely over the burns to separate skin surfaces from contact with one another three apply an outer dressing near using triangular or cette bandages cover the dressing in the same manner that you would a wound or bleeding of the same area as in the treatment of all serious injuries the victim must be treated for physical shock and medical help should be obtained immediately prompt proper treatment is important it can often mean the difference between life and death