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IMPORTANT
Burns result pain, infection, and even shock. They are most serious when the victim is very young or very old in age. The severity of a burn depends upon its size, depth and location. Burns are most severe when located on the face, neck, hands, feet and genitals. Also, when they are spread over large parts of the body or when they are combined with other injuries.
After suffering a burn or undergoing treatment, if the victim experiences chills, fever, increased pain, swelling, or sudden bleeding near or at the wound, immediately seek medical attention and help.
Types of Burns
First-Degree Burns
The first-degree burn usually produces a pink to reddish color on the burned skin. Mild swelling, tenderness and pain are also symptoms of a first-degree burn. This is the least serious type of burn and involves only the upper layer of skin, the epidermis.
The victim should cool with room temperature water and use non-prescription antibiotic creams. These burns usually heal on their own within a few days with little or no scarring. However, if a first-degree burn is over a large area of the body, seek emergency medical attention. Also, if an infant or elderly person suffers any type of burn, even minor, obtain medical assistance promptly
Second-Degree Burns
Second-degree burns involve the epidermis and the second skin layer, the dermis. The epidermis is destroyed and burned-through in a second-degree burn. There are the same symptoms of pain and swelling but the skin color is usually a bright red and blisters are produced. Second-degree burns usually produce scarring.
Call for immediate medical help as soon as the burn occurs and do not apply any type of butter or greasy substance to the burn. This can hamper cooling of the burn area and also do further damage. Consult medical personnel about whether or not to administer fluids to victim before arriving at a hospital.
Third-Degree Burns
The third-degree burn may appear charred or have patches which appear white, brown or black. Both the dermis and epidermis are destroyed and other organs, tissues and bones may also be involved. Third-degree burns are considered the most serious. They produce deep scars that many times require cosmetic or reconstructive surgery and skin grafts. Pain may or may not be present since usually nerve endings which transmit pain have been destroyed in this type burn.
Possible complications from burns include infection, tetanus, scarring, pneumonia and shock. Shock may set in due to the fluid and electrolyte loss in a serious burn.
Chemical Burns
In the case of chemical burns, put the affected area under a faucet and let cool water at medium pressure rinse the wound for at least 15 minutes. While area is being rinsed, call 911 for instructions on what to do next. Take note of the chemical or product that caused the burn.
Never try to remove jewelry or clothing from a burn victim before reaching a hospital if those items seem stuck to the skin.
Sunburn
Sunburn is inflamed, painful skin that feels hot to the touch. It often appears within a few hours of being in the sun too long. Temporary relief is available by taking pain relievers and cooling the skin, but it may take days or weeks for the sunburn to fade and skin to heal. People with sensitive skin, on certain medications, or have autoimmune deficiencies may be more vulnerable.
Sunburn symptoms can include inflamed skin, which looks pink or red on white skin and may be harder to see on brown or black skin, skin that feels warm or hot to the touch, pain, tenderness and itching, swelling, small, fluid-filled blisters, which may break, eyes that feel painful or gritty, headaches, and fever, nausea and fatigue if the sunburn is severe.
Call 9-1-1 and seek immediate medical attention if the following occurs: develop excessively large blisters, develop blisters on the face, hands or genitals, experience severe swelling of the affected area, show signs of infection, such as blisters with pus or streaks, experience worsening pain, headache, confusion, nausea, fever or chills, becomes worse despite at-home care, eye pain or vision changes, a fever over 103 F (39.4 C) with vomiting, confusion, dehydration, cold skin, dizziness or faintness.