Burns and scalds

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  1. What’s the difference between burns and scalds?
    1. Burns and scalds are damage to the skin caused by heat. Both are treated in the same way. A burn is caused by dry heat – by an iron or fire, for example. A scald is caused by something wet, such as hot water or steam.
  2. Discuss: What are some ways you can get burned? How could you avoid getting burned?
  3. Treating Burns
    1.  The first step to treating any kind of burn is to remove the source of the burning.
      1. Chemicals can cause burning, and should be removed from the skin immediately.
        1. If a liquid chemical has spilled on a person, remove any clothing that the chemicals are on, and rinse the area with cool running water for at least 20 minutes or until someone takes over.
        2. If the chemical is a powder, put on gloves and brush it off. Rinse the affected area for at least 15 minutes or until someone takes over.
      2. Hot liquids can also soak into clothing, and continue burning the person. Remove affected clothing.
    2. First-degree burns only affect the outer surface of the skin, which gets red and sore.
      1. First-degree burns are the least severe.
      2. Most sunburns are first degree burns.
      3. Cool the burn for at least 10 minutes in cool running water.
    3. With second-degree burns, which are also called partial-thickness burns, blisters form on the skin.
      1. Put the burned area in cold water for at lease 10 minutes. Gently dry the burned area.
      2. Cover it with a sterile gauze pad, and hold the pad loosely in place with a bandage. Be careful not to break open blisters, which could cause infection.
      3. Don’t apply creams, ointments, or sprays.
      4. If needed, treat for shock.
    4. With third-degree burns, which are also called full-thickness burns, the skin may be burned away, and the flesh may be charred. The victim may feel no pain because nerve endings have been burned.
      1. Call 9-1-1
      2. Wrap the victim in a clean sheet
      3. DO NOT remove any clothing from the burned area
      4. Wrap in a clean blanket after wrapping in a clean sheet
      5. Treat for shock
    5. Some burns are critical and require a trip to the hospital. These include:
      1. Burns caused by:
        1. electricity
        2. chemicals
        3. radiation
        4. explosions
      2. Burns that cover more than one area of the body, or a large area of the body.
      3. Burns in certain areas should be treated as critical. These areas include:
        1. head
        2. hands
        3. feet
        4. face
        5. neck
        6. groin
      4. Consider all but the most minor of burns critical for anyone under 5 years old or over 60 years old.

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