BURNS: THE THREE DEGREES
There are three main degrees of burns, as outlined below.
The first-degree burn is the least serious and can usually be treated as a minor burn, unless it covers a large portion of the feet, face, groin, buttocks, hands, or major joints (these require medical attention). It involves the outer layer of skin only, and may cause redness, pain, or swelling.
The second-degree burn is more serious. It may cause red, white, or splotchy skin; swelling; pain; and blistering. If the burn is no bigger than 3 inches (7.6 centimetres) in diameter, it can be treated as a minor burn. But, if it is bigger or covers a large portion of the same areas as listed above, it requires medical attention.
The third-degree burn is the most serious, involving all layers of the skin, the fat underneath, and sometimes even muscle or bone. This type of burn is major and requires medical attention. People with third-degree burns may experience difficulty breathing, carbon monoxide poisoning, and other toxic effects (if smoke inhalation occurred).
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BURNS: MINOR
Minor burns may not necessarily require emergency medical attention and can usually be treated at home, by completing the following steps:
- Run the burn under cool (but not cold) water for 10 to 15 minutes or until pain eases. Alternatively, cover the burn with a clean towel dampened with cool water.
- Remove any tight jewelry or items quickly and gently from around the burn. This is important as swelling can occur quickly.
- Do not break any blisters smaller than the fingernail on your little finger. If one does break, gently clean the area with mild soap and water, apply an antibiotic ointment, and cover it with a non-stick gauze bandage.
- Apply aloe vera lotion or gel, low-dose hydrocortisone cream, or moisturizer if it helps.
- If needed, over-the-counter pain relievers may be taken, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, etc.), naproxen sodium (Aleve), or acetaminophen (Tylenol, etc.)
- Consider a tetanus shot and/or make sure tetanus shots are up to date (recommended every 10 years).
BURNS: MAJOR
The first thing to do in the event of a major burn is call 911 or your local emergency number. However, while you wait for help to arrive, there are a few steps that should be followed:
- If possible to do so, make sure that the burned person is protected from further harm (such as smoke, heat, or smoldering materials). Do not remove any burned clothing that is stuck to the skin.
- Look for breathing, coughing, or movement, and begin CPR (explained further on "CPR and Loss of Consciousness" page) if necessary.
- Remove any restrictive items around the burn gently and quickly, especially around the neck. These can cause problems when the burn swells.
- Do not submerge large severe burns in cold water.
- Elevate the burned area to a level above the heart, if possible.
- Cover the burned area with a cool, moist bandage or a clean cloth.
MINOR CUTS AND SCRAPES
Minor cuts and scrapes normally don't require emergency medical attention. You can follow these steps to treat such wounds:
- Wash your hands or put on disposable medical gloves if available.
- Stop the bleeding: if this does not happen naturally, it can be done by applying gentle pressure with a sterile bandage or clean cloth and elevate the cut/scrape.
- Use clear water to rinse the wound, and clean around the wound with soap and a washcloth, being careful to keep soap out of the wound. If any dirt or debris remains in the wound after it is washed, use tweezers cleaned with alcohol to remove the particles. If the dirt or debris still remains, see a doctor.
- Apply a thin layer of antibiotic cream such as Polysporin, which helps keep the surface moist and may aid with the healing process and discourage infection. If the ointment causes a mild rash, discontinue its use.
- Cover the wound with a bandage.
- Change the dressing when it becomes wet or dirty. Alternatives to bandages may be sterile gauze held in place with paper tape, rolled gauze, or a loosely-applied elastic bandage. After the wound has healed enough to make infection unlikely, the dressing may be removed.
- If the wound is deep (all the way through), stitches are likely necessary. Adhesive strips or butterfly tape may temporarily hold a minor cut together, but proper stitches are recommended to reduce chance of infection.
- See your doctor if you notice any signs of infection: the wound not healing, redness, increasing pain, warmth, swelling, or drainage.
- Get a tetanus shot if the injured person hasn't had one in the past five years or if the wound is deep and dirty (get a booster shot as soon as possible in this situation).
EXCESSIVE BLEEDING
Severe bleeding requires the following steps to be carried out immediately:
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