!Burns

Minor burns
-----------
For a minor burn, immediately pour cool water over the burned
skin for 15 to 30 minutes. This will cool and clean the skin and
help reduce the pain.

Keep the area clean with mild soap and water as it heals. Honey
or aloe vera juice speed healing of smaller burns, but should be
put on only after the burn has cooled.

Minor burns should heal in about 1 to 3 weeks.

Dangerous burns
---------------
    Dangerous burns include:
    ------------------------
     * Deep burns (called deep partial thickness, or full
       thickness burns). They do not hurt unless pressed on
       because the nerves have been destroyed. They do not
       change color if pressed on. They may look mottled in
       color, or if deeper, they may be waxy white, leathery
       gray, or charred black.
     * Large burns. A large burn is one that covers 10% or more
       of the body. Even if not deep, a burn this large is
       dangerous. You can estimate how much of the body is
       burned based on the size of the palm of the hand of the
       burned person. Does the burn cover about the size of one
       palm? That is about 1% of their body surface. 10 palms is
       about 10%.
     * A burn that affects a joint, the face, or the genitals.
       These can scar badly and disable the person, especially a
       child.
     * Burns combined with other injuries.
     * Burns in children. Children have much more difficulty
       recovering from burns and whenever possible should be
       cared for in hospitals equipped to treat burns.

    Get help for dangerous burns. On the way to the medical
    center, give small sips of water frequently if the person is
    alert. Cover the area of the burn with a very clean cloth.
    For dangerous burns, avoid immersing the burn in cold
    water - it can make the body temperature drop too low and
    the person can become dangerously cold. Try to calm the
    person.

    Treatment
    ---------
     * Salbutamol can help a person breathe more easily if they
       inhaled a lot of smoke.
     * A person with a large or deep burn can easily become
       dehydrated because body fluids are lost as they ooze from
       the burn. Give extra fluids. It is usually best to give
       intravenous (IV) fluids, but large quantities of
       rehydration drink will work for someone who is alert and
       able to drink. Watch for danger signs of shock, that can
       come from dehydration.
     * Burns and the area around them are very prone to
       infection. Keep the burn clean and wash it each day with
       running water or by briefly soaking it in clean water. A
       little mild soap is helpful but do not use disinfectants
       or iodine - they will delay healing. Gently wipe or
       scrape away small amounts of dead tissue.
     * Cover the burn with antibiotic ointment and then with
       very clean fine mesh gauze or another very clean
       dressing. Wrap firmly to create pressure without cutting
       off circulation. Change the bandage each day and every
       time it gets dirty. A dirty bandage can cause infection.
       You may need to soak off a bandage that has stuck in
       place. Be sure to individually wrap and separate burned
       fingers and toes.
     * Give antibiotics if any of these signs of infection
       appear: increasing redness, heat, pain, swelling, bad
       smell or pus, or the person gets a fever. Make sure
       tetanus vaccinations are up-to-date.
     * If a blister has opened, keep the area clean. If the
       blister has not opened, do not try to pop it. Opened
       blisters are more likely to get infected.
     * Burns are extremely painful. Do not hesitate to give
       strong pain medicine including morphine or other opiates.
       Always give pain medicine before cleaning or changing a
       dressing on a serious burn. As burns heal they can start
       to itch. An antihistamine provides some relief.
     * Plenty of nutritious food, including extra protein, is
       needed to help a burn heal. While healing, try to eat at
       least 4 meals each day that have protein (such as
       chicken, other meats, eggs, milk, fish, beans, and nuts),
       as well as snacks.
     * Burned parts may become stiff and immobile as they heal,
       especially if the burn is on a joint. These parts must be
       moved every few hours. If the person cannot move a joint
       herself, gently help her.

    As with any serious injury, get help if the person gets
    worse or you cannot provide needed care.

-----------------------------------------------------
from NEW WHERE THERE IS NO DOCTOR ©
Hesperian Health Guides 1919 Addison St Ste 304 Berkeley CA 94704
1.510.845.1447 hesperian@hesperian.org
-----------------------------------------------------