Skin Burn Care

Skin burn care will largely depend on the type of burn and the extent and severity of the skin tissue burnt.

First Aid Tips for Minor Burns

• For superficial burns like in first degree burns and minor second degree burns remove any clothing or other things from the damaged area. Hold the burned area under cool running water to stop the burning process further. If this is impractical, then use a cold compress like a washed moistened cloth.
• Make the person calm and tie a sterile bandage or a gauze pad over the burn loosely.
  Be careful and prevent any pressure or friction in the burned area.
• If there is mild pain then an over the counter painkiller might help, but before giving any painkiller medications to children consult a specialist.
• Vitamin E, vitamin C and zinc supplement can be taken in safe amounts after consulting a specialist as they help to heal the burn. A minor burn may not require further treatment and may heal on its own if few days or weeks. However if there are any signs of infection, consult a specialist.

First Aid Tips for Major Burns

• Most of the second degree and all the third degree burns require medical attention to reduce pain and avoid infection. If burn is caused due to fire then any flames should be extinguished with a blanket or water or ‘stop, drop and roll' method should be used to cease fire.
• If the blisters are not open then remove any clothing or jewelry from the burn area. And hold the area under cool water to stop the burning process. If the burns are too severe and blisters are open then don't remove any stuck clothing and don't cool the burned area as the person might enter in shock.
• Place sterilized gauze on the burn area loosely so the burn gets air to breathe. If the burn area is large then a clean cloth can be draped to protect the burn until medical treatment is received.
• Elevation of the body part that is arms, legs, face or neck can help to reduce the amount of swelling.
• Small sips of clear liquid like water or juice can be given to the person with burns, but if a person is in shock don't give him anything to drink.
• Burns caused due to chemicals should be washed thoroughly with large amounts of water to get rid of chemicals from the skin. Use a dry sterile bandage to cover the burn area loosely until you see a specialist for further treatment.

Burn Care Precautions

• Never use ice to cool the burn as ice can cause further damage to the skin.
• Never apply butter or ointment on the burns as this will prevent fast healing.
• Never try to treat severe burn or chemical burn or electrical burn at home. Sometimes serious injury can be caused inside the body due to electric burns which can not be seen on the skin.
• Never remove cloths from an open blister in severe burn and never apply cold water to severe burns as a person might go in shock.
• Never put a pillow under the person's head with an airway burn, as this can close the airway.
• Consult a specialist immediately if burn is extensive, severe, or due to chemicals or electricity and if a person has inhaled some smoke or shows signs of shock.