Immediate medical aid for burns

Burns can be the result of any source of excessive heat that damages body tissues. Burns can be caused by the sun, radiation, chemicals, hot liquids, electrical appliances, fire, and more. Burns can be minor or life-threatening, which is why it's important for everyone to know first aid treatment for burns. Prompt attention can limit damage and promote healing.

Severe burns require emergency treatment. This article explains the immediate steps to take for burns and the methods of immediate medical care

Types of Burns

There are three types of burns based on severity.

First degree (superficial): affects only the (outer layer of skin), causing redness and pain

Second degree (partial thickness): Affects the epidermis and dermis (the innermost layer of the skin's two main layers) and includes redness, swelling, blisters, and rashes.

Third degree (full thickness): Affects the outer layers of the skin as well as fat and other tissues, causing the skin to darken or appear white and hard. Third-degree burns may not feel painful, as nerves may be damaged.

What should be treated immediately after a burn?

If you or someone around you gets burned, here are some general steps you should take right away:

Move away from the source or cause of the burn.

Gently rinse the area with cool water to reduce the temperature. Never use ice.

Remove the dressing from the wound if it is not sticking. In case of adhesions, leave it to medical professionals. .

Cover it with a clean cloth or gauze pad.

Do not use any oils, sprays, butters, or ointments on the burn, as they can aggravate the wound.

The following are the treatment steps for the main types of burns, including first degree, second degree, third degree, burns.

Treatment of first degree burns

If you have a first-degree burn, do the following:

Apply a cool wet compress to the area or flush the skin with cold water as soon as possible to reduce the heat.Chill the burn for about 10 minutes or until the pain subsides.

Do not apply any butter, powder, ointment, spray or grease to the burn.

Use mild liquid soap to wash.

You can apply petroleum jelly twice a day.

And protect it from the sun to prevent further damage.

Treatment of second degree burns

Second-degree burns cause redness, blisters, pain, and swelling.

To treat a second-degree burn, take the following steps:

Soak the area in cold water for at least 10 minutes. Do not use ice. It may take up to half an hour for the pain to subside.

Remove jewelry or clothing

Treatment

Do not apply grease, butter, ointment or powder to the burn.

If you are treating a burn at home, wash your hands and gently wet the burn, then dry it with a clean, soft cloth.

Never pop a blister, as this increases the risk of infection. They will heal on their own in about a week.

You don't need to bandage the burn if the blisters are intact. Change the dressing whenever it becomes soiled.

If the burn is larger than 2-3 inches, or is on the face, hands, genitals, or a large joint, consult a medical provider immediately

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Treatment of third degree burns

Third-degree burns, which reach the layers of fat and other structures beneath the skin, can be fatal. If someone has severe skin irritation that looks burnt or white, get medical help right away. In the meantime make sure to follow these steps

Do not apply water to the burn

Do not apply any ointments, butters, greases, or sprays.

Do not remove clothing that has been caught in a burning area.

Cover the area with a sterile bandage or clean loose cloth.

How long does it take for burns to heal?

Healing depends on the severity of the burn. First degree burns usually take about a week to heal. Second degree burns can take two or three weeks. Third-degree burns 

heal slowly and may require skin grafts or other specialized treatment.