BURNS

 

Contact with any source of heat can cause a burn or scald injury. A burn can result from contact with a heat source such as hot metal or electricity, hot liquid or steam. Clothing over the area may retain the heat and cause further injury.

 

Symptoms and signs – Not all may be present

• severe pain
• red, peeling or blistered skin (or blackened if caused by electricity)
• watery fluid weeping from the injured area
• the patient may be pale, cold and sweaty, feeling faint and dizzy, and complaining of nausea or vomiting
• swelling of the injured area may appear later

 

• Remove the heat source from the patient, or the patient from the heat source, whichever is easiest and safest.
• Cool the injured area
• Cool the injured area

 

Immediately cool the injured area for a minimum of 20 minutes using cool running water from a tap or shower. In the absence of water use any cool clean fluid such as beer or soft drink.

A first aid burn gel may be applied, but this should be after cooling with water (as above), provided water is available.

If any clothing is wet with hot liquid or affected by a chemical splash, remove it quickly and carefully.

Remove any tight clothing, watches, rings or jewellery from the injured area, if possible, because of the risk of swelling.

If the patient is badly injured, or the burn is causing significant pain, or involves the eyes, or is larger than half the patient’s arm – call111 for an ambulance.

 

See a doctor if the burn is causing ongoing significant pain, or involves the face, hands, joints or genitals.

 

 3. Position patient

If the patient is feeling faint lay them down.

The injured part (depending on the location of the burn) can be placed in a bowl or bucket of cold water if this is easier than pouring water over the burn.

 

4.    Apply a sterile dressing

After cooling the injured area for up to 20 minutes, apply a sterile dressing.

Use a non-adherent dressing or a piece of clean plastic kitchen wrap.

• DO NOT break blisters or remove peeled skin.
• DO NOT try to remove any fabric that is stuck to a burn.
• DO NOT apply creams, ointments, lotions or butter to any burn injury because infection may occur and complicate the injury.
• DO NOT place small children or babies in a cold bath or shower for a full 20 minutes, as this can cause hypothermia.

 

Remember that any substance applied to a burn injury may have to be removed later in hospital and may also delay the healing process.

Avoid using adhesive tape on the skin around the burn because this may cause further tissue damage.