How to Administer First Aid to Skin Burns
Burns devastate skin, which is in charge of controlling the amount of heat our bodies retain or release, holds in fluids, and protects us from contamination. Burns on fingers and hands are usually not dangerous, they can cause swelling.
Sometimes the swelling, especially of the face and neck can cause difficulty in breathing and constrict blood flow to those areas. If you experience symptoms such as shortness of breath or a tingling sensation in the affected area, call for medical assistance at once.
How to Deal with Hot Water Burns
Hot water burns are generally caused by hot liquids or gases. The injury is usually local and is rarely life threatening. Young children and the elderly over 65 years of age are at a higher risk because of their delicate skin.
If you have minor hot water burns, hold the burned area under cool, running water for fifteen minutes. Avoid applying ointments, butter or popping any blisters. Finally, shield the area with dry, sterile gauze.
With severe burns, call for medical attention immediately and keep the burned area under cool, running water until help arrives. Do not irritate the injury in any way until help arrives. To reduce the swelling in burned limbs, keep them lifted.
Always consult a doctor if burns, minor or severe, occur on the face, hands, genitalia, feet, or for any burn on an infant.
How to Deal with Cold Burns
A cold burn is a kind of burn caused by contact with a low-temperature object. It can be caused by prolonged contact with moderately cold objects (snow or ice which is called frostbite) or brief contact with very cold objects like dry ice. In this text, we will discuss how to take care of a person who has been affected by frostbite.
Victims should be moved to a warmer place to get shelter from the cold as soon as possible. The affected areas should be dressed with sterile cloth taking care to separate fingers and toes. Remove any constricting or wet clothing and keep the victim hydrated with warm liquids.
Only when the victim has been taken to a permanent, safe location, re warming can begin. Rewarming can be done through immersion in warm, circulating water or by applying warm clothing to the injured areas for 20-30 minutes. Do not attempt this process if you have not reached a safe location because there is the danger of severe damage due to the potential re-freezing thawed extremities.
Severe burns can leave scars. There are several treatment options in these cases ranging from creams to surgery.
Since scars tissue is less supple it does not allow for the normal range of motion. Lotions can help moisturize the scarred tissue and help with the dissipation of old scars. However, sometimes scar removal is necessary.
Burn scar treatment might include natural scar treatment in the form of lotions like Bioskinrevival that will facilitate scar exfoliation. Check out the rest of our products for scar treatments and other skin problems.
Published February 20th, 2009
Filed in Health
