HOME REMEDIES on Burn

HOME REMEDIES ON BURN

One of the most common accidents we encounter at home is burn... from cooking, boiling, hot liquid handling to name a few.

Burn, if not properly cared may result to further damage which may be irreversible and leave an unsightly scar. It is important therefore to know the right steps especially while still at home and before being attended by a physician.

First, one has to identify whether the skin lesion is minor or a severe one. Severity is assessed according to the degree and extent of tissue damage and classified as first, second and third degree burn. Proper care and management shall depend on this classification.

First degree burn

It is the most superficial hence classified as the least serious one. The outermost layer of the skin (epidermis) is not burned through. The skin here do not blister. Skin usually looks reddish, swollen and with pain sensation. While this degree of burn is considered a minor one, its size and location are important factors as well. .Greater emphasis should be given on areas of function and with thin skin like hands, feet, face, neck, groin, buttocks or major joints . If the skin lesion is bigger than 3 inches and located in those mentioned areas, it shall be considered then a major burn hence should seek medical help.

Second-degree burn

Superficial

This has involved the upper layer of second layer (dermis) of the skin and form blisters. .Second degree burn originally appears to be first degree burn until 12 to 24 hours from the time of injury where characteristic blistering of the skin is noted. The wounded skin is hypersensitive, pinkish , wet and blanch with pressure.

Deep

The lower reticular layer of the dermis is affected. The burned skin looks pale and mottled , do also form blisters, and when pressure is applied, capillary refill is slow or may be absent. One is noted to complain more of discomfort rather than pain. There is also decreased sensation on affected area. .

Third-degree burn

This is an emergency situation therefore, it is advised that one has to contact the quickest medical professional help available..

This is the most serious and the one that results to irreversible tissue damage. It has less than a millimeter difference from deep second degree burn hence may almost look the same. They may also appear mottled but rarely blanch with pressure and depressed if compared to surrounding normal skin. It goes through all the layers of the epidermis and dermis of the skin. If burn is accompanied by smoke inhalation, one may experience difficulty of breathing because of toxic gases like carbon monoxide. The area of concern would look charred or cherry red or white and dry.

Fourth degree

While this degree of burn is painless, it is the one that not only involves all layers of the skin but fats and the deeper structures, even bone. It is usually the cause of injury that determines this degree of burn. Electrical burns, immersion burns, contact burns usually belong to this classification. Affected area looks charred and more often than not, the person is unconscious.

The following are simple guidelines one can follow at home to prevent further damage while waiting for emergency medical assistance:

Minor burns:

This comprise first and second degree burns which measure less than 3 inches in diameter.

Dos

Remember the 3Cs – Cool, Cover and over-the Counter pain reliever.

· Cool. Run or submerge the affected area in cold water area or simply apply cold compress until pain disappears . Low temperature decreases swelling resulting to pain reduction.

· Cover. Infection is one of the things we do not want to happen on burned skin. Swathe the affected area with sterile gauze loosely and bandage the edges to put the gauze in place . This will protect and prevent air to get in contact with blistered skin hence reduces pain.

· Over-the-Counter pain reliever. One may take analgesics such as Paracetamol/Acetaminophen, Naproxen, Aspirin or Ibuprofen. A topical agent like

Don’ts

· Do not put ice directly on burned skin as this may result to frostbite and may cause further damage on tissues.

· Do not use cotton to cover the affected area as this may cause irritation on burned skin.

· Do not give aspirin to children or teenagers.

· Do not apply butter or ointments because this interferes in the process of proper wound healing.

· Do not break blisters. Open wounds shall be susceptible to infection. Watch out for any signs of infections such as increase severity of pain, redness, swelling, fever and fluid that ooze from the wound. Infection warrants medical help.

· Do not expose to heat or sunlight within a year as this may injure and aggravate skin hyperpigmentation. Sunscreen provides protection and preferably applied for a year on the affected area.

Minor burns, because they are superficial, usually heal spontaneously. Affected skin may be noted to have pigmentary changes that is, it has different color from normal skin.

If infection develops, seek medical help. Avoid exposure to sun or tanning if the burns are less than a year old — doing so may cause more extensive pigmentation changes. Use sunscreen on the area for at least a year.

Major burns

Third and fourth degree burns, first and second degree burns with lesions greater than 3 inches in diameter and areas affecting hands, feet, face, neck, groin, buttocks or major joints belong to this group.

Dos

· Remove the victim from the source of injury, smoke, heat, smoldering materials and others.

· Check for ABCs ( Airway, Breathing and Circulation) , movement and coughing. Start CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) if without ABCs.

· Elevate the affected area and if possible above heart level.

· Use a cool, moist clean if not sterile cloth or towel to cover the affected area.

· Seek immediate medical attention.

Don’ts

· Do not remove burnt clothing. Burnt clothing may be too attached to tissues that removal of which may just injure/destroy further already friable tissues.

· Do not immerse large severe burns in cold water as this may cause shock.

· Do not procrastinate. While patient is already out or away from source of injury, tissues continue to be burned and further damage is incurred hence the soonest the person shall be brought to the hospital with Burn Unit, the better. It is important to know therefore the nearest hospital with Burn Unit Facility from home and work place.