Don’t you know that Burns if not treated immediately may cause your life?
Accidents can happen everyday despite how we tried to be cautious in our day-to-day activities. But in as much as possible we have to be alert whatever may happens.
Fire is one major accident that we always encounter. Another are road accidents involving mobile cars, etc… and this sums up to one problem – BURNS.
Burns are caused by direct contact with fire/flames, hot liquids (coffee, etc…), hot oils, hot surfaces, or by other sources of high heat to include chemical burns or electrical burns.
We are sharing here informative posts from the Department of Health which discusses about Burns – which was classified into three degree of damage, Its symptoms and treatments.
Types of Burns:
1. First Degree Burns
Involves the top layer of the skin. Sunburn is considered as a first-degree burns.
Symptoms:
Includes reddening of skin and usually painful to touch. It shows mild swelling of skin.
Treatment:
Take immediate action, apply cold compress and cover the burn area with bandage. Do not use or apply ointment. Take over-the-counter pain reliever and seek medical attention if large area of body is affected.
2. Second Degree Burns
Damage of the two layers of skin is involve
Symptoms:
Deep reddening of skin, painful and blisters are visible. There are glossy appearance from leaking fluids and a possible loss of some skin.
Treatment:
- Apply cool compress or immerse in cool water continuously for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Dry with clean cloth and cover with sterile gauze but do not break blisters
- Do not apply ointment or butter on burns since it may cause infection
- Elevate burned arms or legs
- To prevent shock – lay the victim flat, elevate the feet for about 12 inches and cover the victim with a coat or blanket. However, do not put in a shock position if a head, neck, back or leg injury is suspected, or if the victim feels uncomfortable.
Warning: Do not attempt to treat serious burns if you are not a trained health professional.
3. Third Degree Burns
Damage penetrate the entire thickness of skin and permanently destroy tissue
Symptoms:
Includes loss of skin layer and is often painless, since pain is caused by patches of first-and-second degree burns which often surround third degree burns.
Skin is often dry and leathery and skin is possibly charred or with patches that appear white, brown or black.
Treatment:
- Cover burn area lightly with sterile gauze or clean cloth, avoid using material that can leave lint on burn.
- Do not apply ointment or butter to burns since thes can cause infections.
- Take necessary steps to prevent shock – lay the victim flat and elevate the feet for about 12 inches
- If the Face is burned, let the victim sit up and monitor closely for possible breathing problems.
- Elevate burned area higher than the victim’s head when possible. Keep the victim warm and comfortable as much as possible.
- Do not place a pillow in the victim’s head if the person is lying down and there is an airway burn since this may close the airway.
Very Important Warning:
Immediate medical attention is required for serious cases like this. Do not attempt to treat serious burns unless you are a trained health professional.
Source: Department of Health
Philippine Health Advisories of 2012
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