A burn is a tissue injury resulting from exposure to heat, chemicals, electricity, or radiation, causing cellular damage that can range from mild to life-threatening. Immediate actions are crucial because tissue damage continues even after the source of injury is removed. Rapid intervention can significantly reduce the injury’s depth, minimize pain, and prevent severe complications like infection or shock, ensuring the best possible outcome.
Prioritizing Immediate Safety and Extinguishment
The primary priority in any burn incident is to stop the burning process and remove the victim from the source of the injury. This halts the destructive transfer of energy to the tissue. For thermal burns, if clothing is on fire, the person should immediately perform the “Stop, Drop, and Roll” technique to smother the flames.
Once the fire is out, or if the burn was caused by a hot object or liquid, remove any clothing or jewelry from the area quickly, as materials retain heat and contribute to further injury. If clothing is stuck to the skin, it must not be pulled off, as this could tear the damaged tissue and cause additional trauma.
Different burn sources require specific safety measures. For an electrical burn, the power source must be shut off or disconnected before approaching the victim to prevent electrocution. Chemical burns require a two-step approach: first, brush off any dry powdered chemical from the skin. Then, immediately flush the area with copious amounts of water, taking care not to splash the chemical onto unaffected skin.
Cooling and Protecting the Burn Site
Once the person is safe and the burning has stopped, cool the burn injury using running water. This action draws residual heat out of the deep layers of the skin and reduces pain. The water should be cool (around 15°C), but not ice-cold; using ice or extremely cold water can cause vasoconstriction, leading to further tissue damage or hypothermia, especially if the burn is large.
The burn should be held under the cool running water for a minimum of 10 minutes, with 20 minutes often suggested for maximum benefit. This prolonged cooling period is effective in reducing swelling. Common myths, such as applying butter, grease, or ointments, must be avoided because these substances trap heat in the skin and can worsen the injury.
After the burn has been thoroughly cooled, the wound must be protected to prevent infection. The injury should be loosely covered with a sterile, non-fluffy dressing or a clean cloth. For minor burns, a plastic film like cling film can be used to cover the area, keeping the wound clean. The person should be kept warm by covering the uninjured parts of the body with a blanket, as extensive cooling can lead to a drop in core body temperature.
Recognizing When Professional Medical Attention Is Needed
Many burns require professional medical assessment or emergency intervention. Certain characteristics necessitate a call to emergency services. Any burn that appears deep, with skin that is leathery, dry, charred, or exhibits patches of white, brown, or black, indicates a full-thickness injury requiring immediate transport.
Burns that cover a large surface area or those that encircle a limb or the torso are medical emergencies requiring professional care. The location of the burn is also a deciding factor. Injuries to the face, hands, feet, major joints, or genitals are considered serious regardless of their depth or size, due to their specialized functional and cosmetic importance.
All electrical and chemical burns, even if they appear minor, warrant immediate medical attention because they can cause significant internal damage. A person should also be monitored for signs of shock, such as cool, clammy skin, a weak pulse, or shallow breathing, which is a life-threatening condition. For infants, the elderly, or those with underlying health conditions, seeking emergency medical help is the safest course of action.