Live Life Team
External burns are damages that happen to the tissues of the skin due to direct contact with hot things like fire. It can also happen when the skin tissues come in contact directly with heat radiations from sources like sun. Even electricity, friction and some chemicals cause burns.
Scalds are defined as those burns which occur due to steam or hot liquids.
Burns can be categorised into three based on the severity of the burns:
First degree burn or superficial burn is a condition where the epidermis, the topmost skin layer, gets damaged. The skin turns swollen, painful and red.
Second degree burn or partial thickness burn happens when the dermis as well as the epidermis is damaged causing the skin to become purple or dark red in colour. The skin becomes weeping, blistered, painful and swollen.
Third degree burn or full thickness burn is a condition where in the sub cutis, dermis and the epidermis get damaged leaving the skin completely burnt. The tissue will be completely blackened or pale.
Treatment
First aid to the burns must be administered to prevent a high level of damage. The points mentioned here will help in times of first aid:
The process of burning must be put to an end as soon as possible. This includes the removal of the person form the location of the burn, extinguishing the fames using water as well as covering the affected area with blanket to put off the flame.
Any jewellery of clothes, if present, near the affected part must be removed immediately.
Do not remove any substance that has been stuck to the burnt area.
Use tepid or cool water to cool the burns down. Doing it within 20 minutes of the occurrence of the incident is better.
Do not use iced water, ice or any greasy materials like butter or even creams.
Use a blanket or a layer of clothes to cover the body of the injured person warm to keep him or her warm. The affected part must be avoided. This is done because a condition called hypothermia may develop in elderly people as well as children.
Use a cling film layer to cover the affected area. One can use a clear and clean plastic bag that to cover the affected area of the burns which will suit the burns, if they are on the hands.
The injured person can be administered ibuprofen or paracetamol to relieve him or her from the pain that has occurred due to the burn.
Medical attention is required if:
- there are blisters
- the burn if very large or deep
- there if infection at the affected area
- the person has inhaled fumes
- the burn is due to electricity or a chemical
- the person has lung, or heart diseases, immunosuppression or diabetes.
- if the pain is uncontrollable.
Recovery
Superficial burns take 14 days to heal.
Once a dressing is done on the burns, it is checked for infection. If there is no infection, the dressing needs to be changed only after 48 hours. This process is repeated after every three to five days till the wound completely heals.
