Transcript Document

Burns & Scalds
Burns:
results from dry heat, extreme cold, corrosive
substances, friction, or radiation (sun’s rays).
Scalds:
are caused by wet heat,
as contact with boiling
fluid or steam.
First aid should be applied to the affected area
as quickly as possible to:
 Prevent/
limit further damage to the area.
  Associated pain.
Assessing a burn:
There are a number of factors to consider
when assessing the severity of a burn and
the method of treatment, including:
 whether
the airway is involved.
 the
depth of burns, degree of burns.
 the
extent of burns.
 the
cause of the burn.
Depth of burns:
Superficial burn
Site
Partial thickness
Full thickness burn
burn
Epidermis is only Epidermis
& Involve all layers of the
damaged.
dermis
are skin. Damage may
damaged.
extend
to
nerves,
muscle & fat.
Symptoms
Redness.
Blisters.
Swelling.
Skin looks raw.
Skin looks pale, waxy, &
sometimes charred.
Pain sensation is usually lost.
Pain.
Pain.
Usually heals well if
prompt first aid is given,
and
don’t
require
medical treatment unless
extensive.
Usually heal well, but Urgent medical attention
if affect very large
area (> 60 %) of the
body  can be fatal.
Superficial burn
Superficial partial
thickness burn
Deep partial thickness
burn
Full thickness burn
N.B.:
Burns  destroy the skin, body’s natural barrier 
risk of infection (according to size & depth of burn).
Degree of burns:
First Degree
Redness
Second Degree
Redness + blisters
Third Degree
All skin layers is affected.
Fourth Degree
All of the skin + the underlying muscle,
tendon and ligament.
Fifth & Sixth Degree
The damage goes all the way to the bone
and everything between the skin and the
bone is destroyed.
Extent of burns:
“Rule of nine” :
4.5
4.5
Extent of burns:
4.5
4.5
“Rule of nine” :

is a guide used to calculate the extent of a burn as a % of
the body’s total surface area.

indicate whether shock is likely to develop or not 
assess what level of medical attention is required.
As tissue fluid (serum) leaks from the burned area and is
replenished by fluids from the circulatory system.
extent of burn   risk of shock
In a healthy adult:

Any partial-thickness burn of 1% or more 
must seen by a doctor.

A partial-thickness burn of 9% or more  risk
of shock  require hospital treatment.

A full-thickness burn of any size  require
hospital treatment
Cause of burns:


Thermal Burns.

Electrical Burns.

Chemical Burns.

Radiation burns: Sunburns.


Thermal Burns
 Very
common especially in children.
 Causes:
direct injury from fire or a
flame, molten liquid, steam scalding or
hot objects.
…...……. Thermal Burn
First Aid Measures
1st degree burns:

Cool the burn (to prevent further tissue damage, 
swelling,  pain).
Hold the burned area under cold
running water
or for at least 5 min
If you are not near water, use
cold compresses.
…...……. Thermal Burn

Cover the burn with a sterile gauze bandage.
•
•
Bandaging 
keeps air off
burned skin, ↓
pain & protects
blistered skin.
Wrap the gauze loosely (to avoid pressure on the burned
skin).
…...……. Thermal Burn
Take OTC pain reliever.
 Use a topical burn gel.

DO NOT:

Break blisters ( risk of infection ).

Apply adhesive dressings to the skin.

Apply ointments to the injury ( risk of infection
& prevent proper healing).

Use ice (frostbite & further skin damage).

Use fluffy cotton (irritate skin).
…...……. Thermal Burn
2nd degree burns:
Treat it as in 1st degree burns.
But
If the burn is:
 > 2 -3 inches in diameter, or
 Covers large parts of the body
including, hands, feet, face, groin or buttocks, or
 over a major joint.
Get to a
doctor
immediately
Severe burns:
…...……. Thermal Burn
o
Call medical emergency immediately.
o
Don't remove burnt clothing or anything sticking to
burn (may cause further damage).
o
Make sure victim is not in contact with burning
clothing, materials, heat or exposed to smoke.
o
Don't immerse large areas of the body in cold water
(cause hypothermia shock).
o
Check for ABCs, begin CPR if needed.
o
Elevate the burned body part or parts.
o
Cover the area of the burn.
…...……. Thermal Burn
o If fingers and toes have been burned, gently separate
them with sterile non-adhesive gauze.
o
Prevent shock.
Lay the person flat,
elevate the legs, cover the
victim with a coat or
blanket.
…...……. Thermal Burn
Don’t

Place the victim in the shock position if a head, neck, back or
leg injury is suspected or if it makes the victim uncomfortable.

Apply ointments or creams (may interfere with proper healing).

Breath or cough over the burn (allow the burn to become
contaminated).

Disturb blisters or dead skin (blisters protect the skin, broken blisters
  risk of infections).

Use a pillow under the patient’s head, if the patient has an
airway burn & lying down (can close the airway).
Electric Burns
(Electrocution)
• Burns caused by heat produced within
the body tissues by electricity.
•Danger depends on:
•voltage,
•path of current through body,
•overall patient health,
•how quickly person is treated.
…...……. Electrical Burn
•
Strong electrical current passage through body
→ electrical shock, internal damage & fractures.
Symptoms of Electric Shock:



•
•
Cardiac arrest.
 Seizures.
Respiratory failure.
 Numbness & tingling.
Muscle pain & contractions.  Unconsciousness.
Infection is the most common cause of death in
hospitalized people following electrical injury.
Electrical damage to brain → seizure, depression,
anxiety, or other personality changes.
First Aid Measures:

Call 123.

Look first; don't touch

Turn off electricity
source if possible. If
(person may still be in
contact with electricity).
not, move source away from
you & affected person, using
non-conducting object.
…...……. Electrical Burn
…...……. Electrical Burn

Check for ABCs. If absent, begin CPR.

Prevent shock. Lay the person
flat & elevate the legs.

While waiting for help to arrive, you can
treat any burns.

Don’t move the injured person unless
absolutely necessary.
Sunburns
•
Seldom fatal, cause discomfort.
•
Light-skinned & fair-haired people are at
greater risk.
•
Mild sunburns → skin redness & irritation.
•
Severe untreated sunburns → shock & even
death.
Causes:
UV radiation (injury can start within 30 min of exposure).
…...……. Sunburn
Symptoms:
 Initially, skin turns red & feels irritated (2-6 h
after exposure, Peak effects at 12-24 h).
 Severe cases (sun poisoning): severe skin
burning & blistering, flu-like symptoms (chills &
fever), nausea or vomiting, massive fluid loss,
electrolyte imbalance.
 Skin loss (about 4-7 days after exposure).
…...……. Sunburn
First Aid Measures:
o
milk & water or use aloe-based lotions
several times a day.
• Cool
the skin
Cool compresses with equal parts of
o
Cool baths with 1/2 cup of cornstarch or
baking soda.
•
Leave blisters intact (to speed healing & avoid
infection). If blisters burst
ointment on open areas.
•
Stay out of sun.

use an antibacterial
…...……. Sunburn
•
Dehydration  plenty of fluids & IV fluids .
•
Pain OTC pain reliever.
•
In severe cases → oral steroid therapy except if
blisters are present (↑ risk of infection).
Avoid

Bath oils & perfumes (produce sensitivity reactions).

Scrubbing or shaving skin. You should use
soft towels to gently dry skin.
Thank you