Sour cream. What can she be associated with? When someone mentions this word, they remember delicious pancakes, others - burns. But it’s true, all of us in childhood were smeared with rich sour cream at least once after a well-spent day in the bright sun. How justified is this folk method? What does official medicine recommend to do for burns?
We share the answers to these questions with our readers.
Types of burns
Depending on the cause that caused the damage to the skin, burns are divided into 4 groups:
- thermal;
- chemical;
- electrical;
- radial.
Each type requires a special approach to first aid. What helps with a thermal burn turns out to be useless with a chemical burn.
One often comes across the opinion that chemical burns- rarity. This is wrong. Suffice it to remember the insidious hogweed, so similar to a huge dill: I touched it with my hand, my foot... and that’s it: a blister filled with liquid and pain. This is an example of the most common chemical burn.
Depending on the damage to the skin, they are distinguished.
When assessing objective data that allows one to assess the general condition of a patient who has received a burn, the doctor examines not only the depth of the skin lesion, but also the area of the damaged surface. The “rule of the palm” applies here.
It is believed that a person's palm represents approximately 1% of the area of their body. High danger is indicated when an adult has 1st - 3rd degree burns that occupy more than 30% of the body area. For a 4th degree burn, this figure starts from 10 - 15%. Any burns to the face and perineum are also dangerous.
A different rule applies for children.
Urgent medical care required in cases where the following were exposed to burns:
- feet, joints, hands;
- crotch;
- neck, face.
If a child has a 1st degree burn that occupies more than 10% of the body area, this is a reason to immediately consult a doctor. The same applies to 2nd degree burns larger than the size of a child’s palm, as well as deep burns of any size.
If a burn of the respiratory tract is suspected, regardless of the age of the victim, urgent hospitalization is necessary.
Thermal
According to statistics, every third injury registered by medical institutions is a thermal burn.
Pathology is formed due to exposure of the skin and (or) mucous membranes to high temperatures.
The most common causes: fire, steam, touching hot metal (for example, when cooking) and boiling liquids spilled on the skin.
Let's start with What to do in case of thermal burns is strictly prohibited:
- pop blisters yourself;
- remove clothing from the burn area (you should leave everything as is until arriving at a medical facility);
- touch the burn (otherwise you may introduce pathogenic microorganisms);
- apply oil, peroxide, iodine, cream (including sour cream!) to the burned area;
- apply a bandage, ice or cotton wool.
Adequate medical care for burns is provided based on the degree of damage to the skin.
Let's also give 3 instructions, which should be remembered if an accident occurs:
- you need to remove jewelry located next to damaged skin;
- for severe pain, take an analgesic (Ibuprofen, Paracetamol);
- If your hands (feet) are burned, cover your fingers with a clean, damp cloth, avoiding their contact with each other.
Chemical
The burn caused by hogweed deserves special attention. If you notice that you have touched a plant, you should immediately wash the area of contact with running water and soap.
This rule does not apply if the bubble has already swelled. Blisters should not be wetted. They are treated with anti-burn medications (Opazol, Panthenol). If the mucous membranes, feet, face or 10% of the entire skin surface are damaged, urgent medical attention is required.
The most common causes of chemical burns include acids and alkalis.
In terms of skin damage alkalis are more dangerous than acids, as they destroy protein structures, literally dissolving them to the deep layers of the skin. The process ends with wet necrosis. Acids form a dry scab, which does not allow the active substance to penetrate deep into the skin.
To stop the process of “corroding” the skin with alkali (acid) the agent is washed off with cold water. The exceptions are:
- sulfuric acid;
- quicklime.
By reacting with water, these substances will further destroy the skin, so they are carefully removed with a dry, clean towel.
Any chemical substance has its own “antidote” (for example, lime is a 20% sugar solution). But if you are not a chemist, then eliminate the risk of complications and immediately contact the hospital to receive qualified help.
Electrical burns
Skin damage is the least evil that a person can receive from an electric shock.
In terms of treating skin burns in in this case act in the same way as for thermal damage.
What is much worse is that an electric shock can negatively affect the functioning of the heart, lungs, and brain. Sometimes this happens a day, three, a week... after the electric shock. Hospitalization is required.
While waiting for an ambulance, witnesses to the accident must provide first aid:
- provide better air access to the victim;
- conveniently place the patient;
- monitor the person’s pulse and breathing (if necessary, perform chest compressions and (or) artificial respiration).
Radiation (sun) burn
This type of burn is known to us much better under the name “sunburn”.
After being in the sun, the skin dries out, turns red, and becomes covered with blisters containing liquid. This the easiest and most predictable type of burn.
In a few days the skin will peel off and everything will be forgotten. A little patience is required from the victim of the sun.
What to do with sour cream? There is only one answer - yes, using it for its intended purpose. And to solve the problem of sunburn use special sprays or gels. The same Panthenol, for example.
Modern drugs:
- relieve pain;
- promote accelerated healing of the upper layer of skin;
- minimize the risk of developing infection in burnt areas.
In conclusion, it is worth noting that burns are a pathology whose occurrence is almost impossible to prevent. There are no guarantees that in a minute you will not touch a saucepan with boiling borscht with your elbow... Therefore, the main thing in the issue of burns is to take adequate measures to treat them. If you have read the article, there is nothing to be afraid of.
The reasons that cause a burn can be very diverse.
What types of burns there are, how many degrees of burns there are and how to determine the degree of burn - we will find out today.
A burn itself is permanent damage to the tissues of the human body when exposed to any external factor.
And it is precisely on this very factor that the classification of the etiology of burns depends. So, based on origin, they distinguish the following types burns:
- Thermal burn– exposure to elevated temperatures on the surface of the human body: steam, boiling water, hot oil, touching a hot object, exposure to open fire on the human body.
- Electrical burn– exposure to an electric discharge on the human body, which also causes damage to internal organs by the electromagnetic field.
- A chemical burn is the interaction of the human body with chemicals that can affect not only the epidermis, but also the subcutaneous layers.
- Radiation burn– damage to the epidermis and sometimes the subcutaneous layer by exposure to ultraviolet or infrared radiation.
Classification of burns by degree and their characteristics
Each burn is unique in its own way, because the degree of damage is individual each time - it all depends on those external factors that cause it. Treatment depends on the degree of burns and their symptoms, which is why the classification of burns by degree is so important.
There are only four types of burns according to degrees. All degrees of burns and their signs depend on the characteristics of tissue damage and the level of area of this damage.
1st degree burn. The mildest form (or degree) of a burn. There is redness and very slight swelling of the affected surface. The pain is not great, and recovery from this burn occurs literally on the 4th or 5th day. There are no clearly visible marks or scars left.
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| photo of 1st degree burn |
2nd degree burn. Blisters form on reddened skin, and they may not appear immediately - up to a day after the burn. Each bubble contains a yellowish liquid, and when they rupture, the reddish surface of the skin that is located under the bubble is visible. If an infection occurs at the site of the rupture, healing takes longer, but scars and cicatrices subsequently do not form.
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| photo of 2nd degree burn |
3rd degree burn. With such a lesion, necrosis of the affected area of the skin occurs. In its place, a scab forms, which takes on a grayish tint. Sometimes this scab becomes covered with a black crust, which then falls off to reveal a reddish area of a very thin layer of skin.
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| photo of 3rd degree burn |
4th degree burn. This is not only external damage to the layers of skin and epidermis, it is penetration into the deep tissues and even charring them. Many of the dead tissues are partially melted and then sloughed off. Not only muscle tissue is damaged, but also tendons and even bone.
The healing process of a 4th degree burn is very long; not only scars are formed at the site of the lesion, but also cicatrices, which often lead to disfigurement. Scar contractures form in the joint capsules, which prevent joint mobility. This is the most severe degree of burn, which necessarily requires specialist supervision and long and difficult treatment.
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| photo of 4th degree burn |
Depending on the types of burns and their degrees, there are special treatment methods. Moreover, this classification of burns by degree is universal for the entire global medical community and it is the “starting point” for treatment and for determining the method of recovery after a burn.
A burn is damage to the skin due to exposure to chemicals, fire, or high temperature. No one is insured against burns, since such damage can be obtained both in domestic conditions and in conditions non-standard for ordinary life. Before you begin to treat the consequences of such an injury, you need to distinguish between burns according to their degrees, and also know what the consequences of burns may be.
Types of burns vary according to the reasons for their receipt. There are 4 main types of burns: thermal, radiation, electrical and chemical burns. Each classification of burns is divided into several more, this allows you to more accurately determine the complexity of the upcoming treatment. All types of burns can be treated.
The most common type is thermal burns. Basically, these are the burns that a person receives as a result of contact with boiling water, open fire, and sometimes when coming into contact with a hot object or steam. Most often, damage occurs in domestic conditions, for example, when boiling water from a pan comes into contact with the skin during cooking or steam from a kettle, which is under slight pressure due to the whistle.
A person can get radiation burns when exposed to ionizing radiation for a long time, as well as under the influence of ultraviolet rays, which include solar rays. Hence the conclusion: you should also not sunbathe for a long time.
Another common household burn can be one that was received through contact with chemicals, for example, alkali or acid. Such substances are often found in detergents.
During a lightning or electric shock, as well as an electrical short circuit, a person can receive an electrical burn, which can even be life-threatening.
To know how to provide first aid to a victim, you need to know and distinguish between the types and degrees of burns.
Each of the causes of such injury often affects a specific area, but in some cases you can get several burns at once, which can affect any part of the body, including the eyes and mucous membranes.
Degrees of burns
In addition to the varieties, there is another way to distinguish skin lesions. When classifying burns by grade, each burn injury is assigned a grade depending on the size of the injury. This is the classification of burns. They are usually calculated as a percentage of the human body. Only a specialist knows exactly how to determine the degree of damage to a person’s skin.
There are only four such degrees, and each of them is distinguished by its own characteristics. The degrees of burns and their types make it possible to select the necessary type of therapy for the victim. Their characteristics can often be very similar to each other; several degrees are especially often combined with severe damage to the skin.
First degree burns are assigned to those injuries that are characterized as mild swelling of the skin, as well as redness of the skin without serious damage. Damage of this nature heals quickly enough and does not require serious intervention from doctors. A few days are enough, and the burns disappear.
The second degree is characterized by blisters on the skin filled with liquid, which may not appear immediately, as well as redness of the skin. After such a blister bursts, the person experiences severe discomfort: the next layer of skin is exposed, which opens a passage for bacteria to the wound. With such a degree of burn, it is worth consulting a doctor for recommendations, since for such a case there are drugs that reduce discomfort and also block microbes from approaching the open injury. Healing most often takes about two or three weeks.
The third degree is considered dangerous, but not always fatal: it all depends on the area of damage. For this degree of damage to the epithelium in the form of charring, a scab may form.
The last, fourth stage, is extremely dangerous: such a burn affects not only the skin, but also the tendons and can even severely char the bones.
In the last two cases, turning to doctors is inevitable, since such burns are the most dangerous to human life. They will take a long time to heal, how much time it takes depends on the situation, sometimes the help of surgeons may be required for complete healing. The consequences of the injury may also require medical intervention, such as plastic surgery.
Burn injuries are divided into extensive and non-extensive. At the same time, those whose affected area exceeds 15% of the total area of the victim’s body are called extensive. If the lesions are deep enough, the victim may develop a burn disease, the course of which also depends on certain factors.
Burn disease
Burn disease is a group of clinical symptoms that manifest themselves when the skin is thermally damaged. This disease occurs when there is deep tissue damage occupying more than 15% of the human body. Factors influencing this type of disease are the age of the victim, the degree of the burn, the area occupied by the lesion, as well as the part of the body where the burn is located.
The course of the disease has several periods. For example, burn shock, which has three degrees and depends on the size of the damage. After which toxemia and septicotoxemia occur. Their main difference is that toxemia affects the human body as a whole, while septicotoxemia covers precisely the area of the skin that was burned. Both of these concepts are similar in that these are types of infectious effects on the human body after receiving a burn injury.
How to determine the degree of burn
There are three ways to determine the extent of damage. One of the simplest and available ways is to calculate the degree of damage using the palm of your hand. In this case, the palm area is equal to 1%. This method is well suited for cases where the burn injury does not occupy too large an area.
Another method that makes determining the extent of the burn more accessible is the use of transparent film or gauze. In order to use this method, you need to apply gauze or film to the burned area and outline the contours, then apply it to graph paper and then calculate the size of the lesion. This method is called the Postnikov method and is often used in medical institutions.
A more complex, but often used method is to divide all parts of the body into 9%, where the last one percent occupies only the perineal area.
It is important to determine the extent of damage to the skin as soon as possible and contact specialists, especially if the victim is old man or small child, and if a person has both limbs, the oral area or the mucous membranes of the eyes and respiratory tract affected.
First aid
In order to minimize the consequences of injury resulting from a burn, the victim must be given first aid. It is provided for any degree and type of burn, after which you need to call an ambulance if necessary.
The main point is to isolate the person from the source of the factors. For example, you need to take the victim out of the fire or put out the clothes, throw away the wires, take the victim into the shade if sunstroke occurs. How quickly this is done may determine how severe the burn will be.
If there are signs that indicate the first or second degree of damage, you need to cool the burned area. This rule applies to chemical, radiation or thermal burns. In the case of an electrical injury, you must first revive the person and provide the victim with fresh air and warm tea.
After the surface has cooled, apply a sterile bandage. If the degree does not exceed 2, then the cloth can be slightly moistened in cool water; with degrees higher, there is no need to risk it; just cover the injured area with a sterile cloth.
If the burned area is between the fingers, it is worth separating them with a cloth in order to avoid them sticking to each other.
If the pain from such an injury is severe, the victim may need pain medication. The most commonly used are Nurofen or its analogue Ibuprofen. Paracetamol is sometimes used.
For chemical burns, several first aid methods are used, depending on the substance that damaged the skin. But most often the affected area is washed with clean, cool water.
After all operations performed, you must call a doctor. If necessary, the victim will be hospitalized and given full assistance and treatment.
It is important to remember that it is forbidden to tear off clothing that has stuck to the injured area, and it is also forbidden to treat the damaged area with a solution containing iodine, peroxide, oil, cream or talcum powder.
You should not stick a plaster or gauze bandage to the damaged area of skin, and it is even more prohibited to independently pierce those blisters that can form during a second-degree burn.
Burn therapy
If the degree of damage allows therapy at home, then the doctor usually prescribes special ointments, for example, Panthenol or Bepanten. Such ointments, gels, and sprays are good for skin regeneration, and they are mainly suitable for the first or second degree.
To relieve the symptoms of a mild burn, your doctor may recommend a compress of raw potatoes, regular raw protein chicken egg, as well as aloe juice. Such methods are more related to traditional medicine, but are often recommended by specialists due to their accessibility and effectiveness.
If the victim has a higher degree of burn injury, he requires urgent qualified assistance from specialists. Often the victim is sent to a burn center, where he can undergo a skin graft if necessary. In extreme cases, amputation of the severely affected limb may be necessary.
But if doctors have the opportunity to save a person without resorting to such a drastic method, then they use it.
After the main procedures, the victim may be prescribed physical therapy, plastic surgery and other methods that will allow healing to be achieved faster.
Typically, the therapy itself is divided into two types: conservative, which is divided into closed and open methods, and also operative.
The conservative method of therapy is characterized by changing dressings and treating burns with drugs, and in the case of the open version, external sources are used in the form of devices that can create a special atmosphere that accelerates tissue healing.
Prevention of burns
In order to avoid any type of burn injuries, you must follow safety precautions, especially when working with electrical appliances, as well as when it is necessary to use chemicals. Do not stay in direct sunlight or ionizing rays for a long time. On hot days, be sure to wear a hat. In everyday life, you should be careful when handling hot objects and fire.
In summer, it is advisable to apply special sunscreens to the skin and avoid prolonged exposure to rays.
Despite the fact that anyone can get such an injury, it is worth following some rules in order to reduce the risk of getting a burn. If you do get a burn, you should not refuse to seek qualified help. Self-medicating at home is dangerous for your own health, since many methods known to people can harm more than they can cure, especially such serious damage to skin tissue. For your own safety and the safety of others, you must not violate the rules and requirements when handling items that can lead to fire or chemicals.
The topic of burns, their classification and first aid is very relevant not only for health workers, but also for every adult. Statistics from the World Health Organization state that more than 5% of injuries sustained at home are caused by heat. But this is only 1 type of possible reason.
Damage to the skin, mucous membranes, and organs caused by thermal, chemical factors or radio radiation will be called burns, despite the various causes and subtypes. The most susceptible to injury are the arms and legs, namely their skin. Therefore, understanding the structure of the integument itself allows you to quickly determine the degree of injury.
Skin structure
The following layers of the skin are distinguished (from external to internal):
- Epidermis.
- Dermis.
- Hypodermis.
- The epidermis, in turn, consists of several layers that provide reliable protection for the entire body from the harmful influences of the environment. It is also capable of fast updates. However, all types of burns, even the most insignificant in their impact on the body, can destroy the epidermis.
- The middle layer, the dermis, contains collagen fibers and elastin, thanks to which the skin acquires its elasticity. Their destruction is fraught with disturbances in thermoregulation and immune defense.
- The hypodermis is a subcutaneous fat layer that takes part not only in energy exchange, but also in protecting internal organs from mechanical damage.
The classification of burns by depth of damage is based on an analysis of damage to each layer. So, if the epidermis is damaged, the layer will recover quite quickly. But the dermis does not have such high regenerative abilities, so after healing, a scar is possible on the surface of the skin. In turn, the depth of the burns and proper first aid can prevent the formation of extensive scars.
Causes of burns and their types
Today, there are four main factors that cause the corresponding types of burns:
- high temperature;
- chemicals - aggressive reagents;
- radiation;
- electricity.
Accordingly, burns occur:
- – in this case, the magnitude of the damage depends not only on temperature, but also on the condition of the skin, which performs a protective function, the source of temperature, and the time of exposure to the body;
- – differ depending on the type of chemical substance, its concentration content and duration of influence;
- – the most common so-called sunstroke;
- – at home, this can be electric shocks from household appliances. Characteristic feature of this type is a small visible lesion area, but with great depth. Current marks remain on the body, the so-called entry/exit points.
The most common injuries are associated with exposure to high temperatures; more than 50% of the total number of burnt victims suffered from such causes of injury. The statistics then highlight injuries caused by high temperature liquids. Only 10% of all injuries are associated with accidental injury from some hot objects.
Of course, the statistics do not include injuries that heal on their own at home. But it is important to know not only what types of burns there are, but also their severity.
Degree of damage
Speaking about a burn or types of burns, it should be noted that the source of the harmful effects is not the only factor influencing the classification of damage. To such important indicators also include:
- duration of exposure to the source of irritation;
- depth of influence;
- current temperature and others.
Naturally, it is irrational to analyze and work with each factor separately. Therefore, the severity of the influence of the combination of all factors on the body was taken as a general classifier for burns.
In 1960, a classification was adopted, there are four of them:
- Damage to the upper layers of the skin. The skin becomes bright pink and may swell and hurt. The redness goes away quickly, it can wrinkle within a day and form age spot, and after four or five days it completely disappears.
- Small blisters with a yellowish liquid appear on the damaged area, swelling, burning, and pain are observed. If the blister remains intact, healing will occur in 10-12 days. Opening the vesicle is fraught with infection in the wound, and, consequently, a longer healing period.
- In the standard classification, there are two subgrades - III-A and III-B. III-A is characterized by swelling of all layers of the skin, the appearance of large blisters with a jelly-like filling, and the formation of a light brown crust. Recovery can last up to 6 weeks, and in case of complications (infection in the wound) - from 3 months. III-B is characterized by deep damage not only to the skin, but also to the subcutaneous layers with tissue necrosis; there is no pain. Blisters with bloody streaks appear on the damaged area. The healing process is long and requires mandatory medical care.
- Damage affects not only the skin, but also muscles, tissues, and bones. Due to the fact that the nerve endings are also damaged, the victim does not feel pain in this area. The condition is complicated by necrotic intoxication and the possibility of infectious infection.
To be fair, we note that this classification is not uniform. Thus, the Kreibich gradation of burns distinguishes 5 levels of damage. Separately, the classification of burns by severity is not sufficient to assess the condition of the victim; it is extremely important to also take into account the area of the lesion.
First aid
Every third victim of this injury is a child. Therefore, it is especially important for conscious citizens to learn how to provide first aid, no matter what types and degrees of burns they encounter.
The first thing that needs to be done is to eliminate the factor of influence on the victim, that is, remove the hot object, turn off the power to the device (if we are talking about an electrical burn). Then it is recommended to cool the damaged area of skin to prevent the damage from spreading deeper. Apply a bandage to the wound, give an anesthetic if necessary, and call an ambulance.
When providing first aid, a number of unshakable rules should be observed:
- Do not, under any circumstances, tear off burnt clothing from the body;
- do not lubricate damaged areas with solutions containing alcohol or oil;
- all victims of electric current require further supervision by specialists;
- While waiting for an ambulance, the victim can be wrapped in a blanket to avoid heat loss (due to impaired thermoregulatory functions of the skin), and water can be given.
These rules of first aid for burns are aimed at maintaining the condition of the victim until doctors arrive.
Treatment of the victim
As a rule, minor first-degree burns go away on their own, without the need to go to special medical institutions. And with proper and timely provision of first aid for burns, healing occurs many times faster. Major second-degree burns and any third- and fourth-degree injuries require medical examination and further treatment.
There are two ways to treat burns:
- conservative;
- surgical.
The conservative method, in turn, is divided into closed and open. With the closed method, antiseptic dressings are applied to the wound to promote healing. Open promotes the formation of a hard post-burn crust, but is possible only in specialized burn departments.
The surgical method involves surgical intervention in damaged areas. They (the areas) are cleaned of dead cells until the damaged areas are amputated.
A burn is damage to the skin, mucous membranes, and underlying tissues, which is caused by exposure to high temperature, chemicals, electricity or radiation energy.
Types of lesions
Depending on the cause of occurrence, the following types of burns are distinguished.
Thermal. Appear upon contact with hot objects, hot air, steam, or boiling water. In case of prolonged contact, deep burns are formed. They are often caused by hot viscous substances (resin, bitumen, caramel mass) that stick to the surface of the body and lead to deep, prolonged heating of the tissues.
Electrical. Most often they occur when working with electrical equipment, sometimes during a lightning strike. With these burns, skin damage occurs, dysfunction of the heart, respiratory organs and other human vital systems occurs. Small contact with electric current causes dizziness and fainting. A more significant lesion causes respiratory arrest, and even clinical death.
Chemical. Develops as a result of contact with chemicals. The depth of this type of burn depends on the concentration of the chemical reagent and the time of its exposure to body tissue.
Radiation. TO this species burns include damage to the skin by ultraviolet rays. This usually happens on the beach or in a solarium.
Degrees of burns
Experts distinguish four degrees of burns.
I degree. Only the epidermis is affected, which is capable of rapid recovery. Within 3-5 days after the burn, swelling resolves, redness disappears, and the affected epidermis sloughs off. There are no burn marks left on the burned skin.
II degree burns. Deeper lesions of the epidermis occur. Blisters filled with clear liquid appear on the reddened skin. The skin is restored within 8-12 days. The color of the new skin is initially bright pink. After two to three weeks, the color becomes normal and traces of the burn disappear.
III degree. It is divided into IIIa and IIIb degrees.
With degree IIIa burns, almost all layers of the skin are damaged, except for the germ layer (the deepest). Bubbles appear on the damaged area, which are filled with a yellowish liquid or jelly-like mass. Often a white or yellowish scab (crust covering the surface of the burn) is formed, insensitive to touch or tingling. Healing occurs within 15-30 days from the moment of the burn. After skin restoration, pigmentation disappears after 1.5-3 months.
Degree IIIb is characterized by necrosis of all layers of the skin and subcutaneous adipose tissue. Large blisters filled with bloody fluid form on the affected area. A gray or brown scab often appears below nearby skin.
IV degree burns. In addition to necrosis of the skin and subcutaneous tissue, necrosis of muscles, tendons, and bones occurs. The damaged surface is covered with a brown or black dense crust, which is not sensitive to irritation.
After deep burns, complete tissue restoration is impossible. Scars form in their place.
First aid
The rules for providing first aid for burns depend on the type of injury.
First aid for thermal burns.
- Elimination of the burning factor. If the victim's clothes are on fire, they are doused with water or covered with a thick cloth. If burning liquid gets on your clothing, take it off immediately.
- In case of a 1st or 2nd degree burn, cool the damaged area for 15 minutes under running water. After which it is covered with a clean damp cloth and cold is applied. Do not treat a third degree burn with water. It is only covered with a clean damp cloth.
- It is necessary to give the victim a pain reliever and drink water frequently.
First aid for electrical burns.
- Disconnect the device that caused the damage from the network or turn off the power using a general switch.
- Call an ambulance immediately.
- If the victim loses consciousness, check his breathing and pulse. If breathing is uneven, weak, perform artificial respiration and closed heart massage.
- If the victim is conscious, he is given warm tea and 15-20 drops of valerian tincture.
First aid for radiation burns.
- Cooling. Lotions and compresses of cold, clean water are suitable for this.
- Treatment with antiseptic agents - chlorhexedine, furatsilin.
- Treatment with special anti-tanning products. Depending on the severity of the burn, you can apply creams with extracts of aloe, chamomile, and vitamin E. In more serious cases, the use of Panthenol is effective.
- Anesthesia. To reduce pain from a burn, take Ibuprofen, Paracetamol, and Aspirin. Antihistamines will help reduce itching and burning.
The initial stage of treating burns is to provide proper first aid.
Self-treatment can only be applied to first-degree burns, unless they are complicated by concomitant diseases (immunodeficiency, diabetes) or old age.
We often get thermal or sunburn in spring and summer. If you are burned, you should treat the skin as quickly as possible to stop the damage process at the initial stage and avoid serious complications. To treat the burn surface, doctors recommend using a spray containing dexpanthenol, which has a healing and anti-inflammatory effect. This component is part of a European quality medicine - PanthenolSpray. Experts note that the drug prevents the development of inflammation, quickly relieves burning, redness and other unpleasant signs of a burn. PanthenolSpray is original medicine, has been tested for years and is very popular, therefore it has many analogues in the pharmacy with very similar packaging.
Most of these analogues are registered as cosmetics according to a simplified procedure that does not require clinical trials, so the composition of such products is not always safe. In some cases, it includes parabens - potentially dangerous substances that can provoke the growth of tumors. Therefore, when choosing a spray for burns, it is very important not to make a mistake. Pay attention to the composition, country of production and packaging - the original drug is produced in Europe and has a characteristic smiley face next to the name on the packaging
In case of II and in some cases III degree burns, treatment is carried out in a hospital. The victim is prescribed painkillers, sedatives, and antitetanus serum is administered. In this case, the blisters are incised, exfoliated areas of skin are removed, and anti-burn dressings are applied.
Treatment of IV and in some cases III degree burns is carried out in specialized departments. The victim is given anti-shock therapy to prevent the development of infection. Burn wounds are treated open or closed, surgically, including skin grafts.
Chemical burn
Chemical burns occur when a chemical acts aggressively on skin tissue or mucous membranes.
The peculiarity of this type of burns is that they can appear either immediately after exposure or after several hours or days. Tissue damage and destruction often continues after exposure to the corrosive agent has ended.
Chemical burns are most often caused by the following substances:
- acids, especially dangerous is damage by “regia vodka” - a mixture of hydrochloric and nitric acids;
- alkalis - caustic soda, caustic potassium and others;
- some salts of heavy metals;
- phosphorus;
- substances that have a cauterizing effect - bitumen, gasoline, kerosene and others.
First aid for chemical burns.
- Remove clothing that has come into contact with the chemical.
- Wash off the chemical reagent from the skin for 25-30 minutes under running water.
- Neutralizes the effects of chemicals. If the burn is caused by acid, wash the damaged area with a 2% soda solution or soapy water. In case of a burn with alkali, wash the damaged area with a weak solution of vinegar or citric acid.
- Apply a cold, damp cloth to the affected area.
- Apply a bandage made of clean, dry cloth or sterile bandage to the burned area.
Mild chemical burns heal without special treatment.
Attention!
This article is published exclusively in educational purposes and does not constitute scientific material or professional medical advice.
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