First Aid On Burns

Injuries from burns can occur everywhere, even at home. If you don't experience it, you might be the closest person who can help the victim. Therefore, it is important to know how to give first aid to burns. To be able to provide first aid to burns, first identify the types of burns. In addition, the handling also needs to be adjusted to the level of injury as well.

Generally, burns experienced by a person can be categorized based on their severity, including:

First or minor degree burns only cover the outer skin and is considered not serious. Pain, swelling, and redness are symptoms that can arise. Examples of first-degree burns are direct burns from the sun.
Second-degree burns are more serious with symptoms of pain, swelling, blistering, and white or red stains on the skin.
Third-degree burns are the most serious type of injury because they damage all layers of skin and fat, and can even reach muscles and bones. This type of burn sufferers can experience carbon monoxide poisoning and possibly other ingredients, shortness of breath, and charred skin.

First Aid On Burns

Handling Minor Burns

First-degree burns, also called minor burns, can generally be treated at home. But this must be done with proper handling so that the condition does not deteriorate. Therefore, look at first aid in this minor burn.

Burns need to be cooled to relieve pain. Cover the burn with cold water for 10-15 minutes or place a towel soaked in cold water on the wound.
To prevent swelling, remove all jewelry, bracelets, or objects immediately around the area that has a burn.
Avoid breaking blisters because of the risk of causing infection. Wash with soapy water if there is a blister wound that breaks on its own. After that apply the antibiotic ointment and cover with gauze and tape.
If the pain feels unbearable, patients can take painkillers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. If deemed necessary, the doctor can give an anti-tetanus injection.

Check with your doctor if there are large blisters, if the burn covers most of the skin, or if an infection occurs in the form of swelling, redness, and severe pain.

Handling Major Burns

As a form of first aid to a major burn, the victim's escape to the emergency room or contact the nearest hospital emergency ambulance. While waiting, you can do something to help the victim. Here are some steps you can take:

If you see the victim's clothes burning and sticking to the skin, avoid releasing it. Remove clothes only if the clothes can be removed easily.
Give artificial respiration if needed. Just make sure the victim can still breathe smoothly.
To prevent swelling, remove jewelry, belts, or accessories that circle around the burned area.
To prevent hypothermia, do not dip a burn on the surface of a large skin into cold water. This action can also result in a drastic drop in blood pressure and blood flow.
If possible, raise the affected limb to a position higher than the victim's heart.
Cover the burn with a clean, soft cloth or tape.
Avoid applying medication or ointment to the burned area.
Placing ice or applying butter can actually harm the burning skin tissue. Avoid these kinds of things.
As much as possible lay the patient with the foot raised at least 40 cm.
Cover the patient's body with a blanket or coat.

If you are still confused in determining whether the wound is classified as major or minor, pay attention to the following signs. One of them is likely to require you to immediately call an ambulance or escape the victim to the emergency room, that is if the victim is a child or elderly, all layers of skin burn, blisters occur more than 5 cm or injuries that cause infection in the form of swelling, pus, and reddish. Also note if the victim's face, legs, hands, and vital organs are burned. As a precautionary measure, it's a good idea to keep a fire extinguisher at home. If you inhabit an apartment, make sure the building is equipped with an alarm that sounds when a fire occurs. Keep the child away from fire and hot water without supervision.

First Aid On Burns