How to Treat Burns

Burns are a minor injury that can happen to anyone, and unfortunately, they can sometimes be very serious. Major burns can be fatal. A burn injury is typically brought on by heat, but frostbite, acid burns, and other cold-related burns can also be brought on by chemicals.

Burning heat sources include fires, cooking equipment, Kelly Kettles, fireworks, and other similar items. Blisters can also be brought on by friction from new shoes or walking boots, which can result in blisters or rope burns from sailing, climbing, or horseback riding. Sunburn is another factor to think about, and this blog goes into greater detail about it.

How is a Burn classified?

Burns are typically categorized into degrees: first, second, and third degrees are based on the depth and scale of the burn, but their definitions can be difficult for laypeople to understand. Therefore, we prefer to simply classify burns as Minor or Major.

Minor Burns Minor burns are smaller, shallower, and do not occur in an important area that could lead to additional complications.

Before it becomes dangerous, a surface burn that does not blister can grow quite large. Sunburn is a classic example, affecting a large portion of the body but not deep enough to be cause for concern. We apply the 5% rule in this instance:

What exactly is the 5% burn rule?

About one percent of a person's total body surface is covered by the palm of their hand. Any burn that covers more than five palms would be considered to have consumed more than five percent of its surface area, so it should be considered cause for concern. Children can use this scale as well.

A burn will blister, split, or break the skin in some way if it affects the skin more deeply than just the surface. Again, we use the size of the burn to determine how serious the situation is in this instance. Medical attention should be considered if a burn with broken or blistered skin is larger than a large coin, such as a 50p piece.

Major Burns Major burns are, therefore, those that are deeper, larger, or located in an area that has the potential to result in additional complications. Burns that circulate a digit or limb (where circulation could be compromised) and burns to the genitals or face (particularly around the mouth or airway) are examples of these. Any chemical or acid burn should also be considered serious, and medical attention should be sought in all of these instances.

Major burns can sometimes be very bad and cause death right away. They require immediate medical attention because they can be extremely traumatic experiences for both the victim and any bystanders.

First Aid for Burns

As with any first aid situation, the first step is to ensure you and any bystanders are safe and won't be burned.

Jewellery

Be quick to remove any jewellery, including rings, bracelets, watches, and so on. The removal of jewellery before significant swelling caused by burns can assist in preventing circulation issues.

Running Water

We treat any size of burn by flushing it with cool running water for at least 20 minutes—or longer if the injury is still painful after being removed from the water. This is done when the burn is safe. This would suggest that the flesh still has heat and needs to be cooled down further.

Moving water or running is important because it removes heat from the injury. However, the water need not be icy. Warm it up a little if the cold is becoming uncomfortable. We can drink tepid water, but we don't want to put too much heat on the injury.

Additionally, this treatment is effective for up to three hours after the injury, according to recent studies. Therefore, if you do not immediately have access to a source of running water, simply try to locate one as soon as possible.

Apply a Dressing

After applying cool water, cover the injury with a non-adherent dressing, especially if the skin is broken. This guarantees that it will remain clean and safe while you seek medical attention.

To apply a dressing, you may need to remove any clothing that is involved in the injury in the event of a more severe or extensive burn. Do not attempt to remove the clothing from the burn itself. Clingfilm can effectively protect the injury if you do not have a sufficient dressing. Before applying a bandage to hold the injury in place, place clingfilm over it; wrap it loosely in case of swelling.

After care

It's important to keep an eye on it, clean it, and seek medical attention if necessary. Dressings should be changed as needed, especially if they get dirty from daily activities. When removing or checking a dressing, avoid pulling any skin off. As the skin underneath heals, the dressing ought to come off.

Seek medical attention if the burned area still has some pain. Here, a doctor, pharmacist, or small injury clinic might be of assistance. For more severe burns, go to A&E. Some people find it surprising that even minor burns seem to get worse over time. Most of the time, this is because you didn't cool it down as soon as it happened. This is why the recommended 10 minutes of water flushing has been changed to 20 minutes recently. We must put an end to cooking!

Treatment of Serious Burns

If the burn is more severe and needs to be cooled down for a long time, you can try to cool it down with cold water-soaked towels or clothing while the victim is taken to the hospital.

Treatment for a burn that is severe enough to necessitate an ambulance is the same as for a burn that doesn't, but in this case, irrigation and making sure the victim's airway is safe are more important.

Patients with more severe burns should also be treated for shock, as fluid loss can result in additional complications.

Questions frequently asked:

How can a minor burn be treated?

Run under cool, running water for at least 20 minutes to treat burns. The water should not be frozen or iced, but it can be tepid. This treatment ought to continue until the injury's pain is gone completely. This works for up to three hours after the burn.

Should a blister be popped?

No. Blisters are the body's natural response to minor trauma and ought to be preserved. This ensures that the wound remains clean and free of infection. Blister pads are best. Here, you can learn more about blister first aid.

Can I apply cling film to a burn?

Yes, cling film can be a useful tool for preventing the bandage or dressing from adhering to a burn where the skin has broken. Wrap loosely; instead, carefully place a small sheet over the wound before covering it with a bandage to keep it in place.