Burns: Types, Recognition, and First Aid Guide
Understanding Burns: Causes and Risks
Burns are injuries to the skin and other tissues caused by heat, radiation or chemicals. They are a leading cause of injury in the home. Young children and elderly people are especially at risk of being burned, and at these ages, burn injuries can be serious.
Types of burns
Heat burns (also called “thermal” burns)-Burns from heat applied to the body are the most common of burns. A scald is a heat burn caused by hot liquid or steam. Heat burns can also be caused by friction.
Chemical burns-Chemical burns are often serious because the chemicals continue to burn as long as they remain on the skin. Examples of chemicals that can burn include acids or alkali metals.
Electrical-burns Electrical burns result from contact with an electric current. Although it is heat that causes these burns, electrical burns are considered separately because of the complications caused by the electricity
Radiation burns-Most people have experienced a radiation burn in the form of sunburn, where the sun is the source of radiant energy. Other types of radiant energy that can cause burns include X-rays, arc welder’s flash and radiation from radioactive material.
Recognition
Superficial burn–only the top layer of the skin is damaged
Skin colour is pink to red
Slight swelling
Skin is dry
Tenderness to severe pain in the injured area
Partial Thickness burn–the top two layers of the skin are damaged
Skin looks raw and is mottled red in colour
Skin is moist and ranges in colour from white to cherry red
Blisters that contain clear fluid
Extreme pain
Full Thickness burn–the full thickness of the skin, including tissues under the skin are damaged
Skin is pearly-white, tan-coloured or charred black
Skin is dry and leathery • You may see blood vessels and bones under the skin
Little or no pain (nerves are destroyed.
Essential burn first aid products
Estimating the burned area—the rule of nines
A first aider can quickly estimate how much body surface area has been burned using the rule of nines.
The body is divided up into areas of either nine or eighteen per cent of total body area. Add these areas to quickly calculate the percentage of the body that is affected. The percentages change slightly for a child’s body. Rule of nines for an adult:
9%—head and neck together
9%—each arm
18%—front surfaces of the trunk
18%—rear surfaces of the trunk
1%—genitalia
18%—each leg
Rule of nines for a child
18%—head and neck together
9%—each arm 18%—front surfaces of the trunk 1
8%—rear surfaces of the trunk
14%—each leg
What to do
Prepare yourself: clean the wound-Rinse the wound lightly under clean running water, if possible. A compress may be used to remove dirt. Use an alcohol-free wipe if available.
Protect the wound: dry thoroughly and apply a dressing that extends beyond the edges of the wound. Leave the dressing in place to allow the wound to heal.
Treat the burn:
With plenty of cold water (10°C-25°C or 50°-77°F) until the pain is relieved. If there is no tap water, use a bottle of water.
Remove clothing and jewellery-Gently remove clothing and jewellery if they are not stuck to the skin Protect the burn by covering it with a dressing or a clean tissue, if available.
Call the emergency services and follow their instructions; if cooling is advised, use cold water.
Place the casualty in a suitable positionIf possible, protect the casualty with a clean sheet, without covering the burn.help the casualty to lie down (do not put him/her on his/her back if the burn is on the back or on the back of the legs) in the event of breathing difficulties, help the casualty to sit down.
Monitor vital signs while waiting for the emergency services.
Protect yourself-Wash your hands immediately after providing first response, if possible.