INTRODUCTION

Burns Caused by dry heat, extreme cold,

corrosive substances, friction, radiation or Sun’s rays.

Scalds Caused by wet heat from hot liquids

and vapours.

Type of burns CausesDry burn Flames

Contact with hot objects [Cigarettes]Friction [Rope burns]

Scald SteamHot Liquids

Chemical burn Industrial chemicals [Inhaled fumes]Domestic chemicals [Bleach]

Electrical burn Low voltage currentHigh voltage currentLightning strikes

Radiation SunburnOver-exposure to ultraviolet lampExposure to radioactive source

Cold injury FrostbiteContact with freezing metalsContact with freezing vapours

ASSESSING A BURN

Check:

Extent of burn

Depth of burn

Whether airway is affected

EXTENT OF BURN

Partial thickness burn of 1% or more must be referred to the doctor.

Partial thickness burn of over 9% will cause shock and need hospital treatment.

Any full thickness burns requires hospital treatment.

Children with any partial or full thickness burns need medical attention.

RULE OF NINES

Head: 9%

Left Arm: 9%

Right Arm: 9%

Upper Chest: 9%

Upper Back: 9%

Abdomen: 9%

Lower Back: 9%

Left Thigh: 9%

Right Thigh: 9%

Left Lower Leg: 9%

Right Lower Leg: 9%

Groin: 1%

DEPTH OF BURN

Superficial Burn Involves

outermost layer of skin

Redness

Swelling

Tenderness

DEPTH OF BURN

Partial Thickness Burn Destroys the epidermis

Blisters

Rawness

Redness

Painful

DEPTH OF BURN

Full Thickness Burn Casualty usually no longer feel any pain

All layers of skin are burnt

Pale or charred

Waxy

HOW DO BURNS AFFECT THE BODY?

When there is a burn on the casualty, his or her body loses its supply of fluids

causing dehydration and shock.

MINOR BURNS & SCALDS

Treatment Place injured part under cold running water

for at least 10 minutes. If water is not available, any cold harmless liquid such as milk. Gassy drinks are not recommended.

Gently remove any jewellery, watches, belts, or constricting clothing from the injured area before it begins to swell.

MINOR BURNS & SCALDS

Treatment Cover injured area with clean, sterile and non-

fluffy material and bandage loosely.

DO NOT break blisters.

DO NOT apply adhesive tape to the skin.

DO NOT apply anything to the injured area. May damage tissues & increase risk of infection

SEVERE BURNS & SCALDS

Treatment Lay casualty down. Protect the burnt area from

contact with the ground as much as possible.

Douse the burn with plenty of cold liquid for at least 10 minutes, but must not delay the removal to hospital.

While cooling the burn, watch for signs of difficulty in breathing.

Treatment Gently remove rings, watches, belts,

shoes or smouldering clothing from the injured area before it begins to swell.

Carefully remove the burnt clothing, unless it is sticking to the burn.

Cover the injury with a sterile dressing.

SEVERE BURNS & SCALDS

Treatment Reassure the casualty and treat for

shock if necessary.

Monitor & record breathing and pulse rate.

Call for an ambulance.

SEVERE BURNS & SCALDS

Treatment DO NOT overcool the casualty.

May cause hypothermia.

DO NOT remove anything sticking to the burn. May introduce bacteria, causing infection.

DO NOT touch, or otherwise, interfere with the injured area.

SEVERE BURNS & SCALDS

SEVERE BURNS & SCALDS

Treatment DO NOT burst any blisters.

DO NOT apply lotions, ointments, fats or adhesive tape to the injury.

TYPES OF BURNS

Burns to the airway

Electrical burns

Chemical burns

Chemical burns to the eye

Flash burns to the eye

Sunburn

BURNS TO THE AIRWAY

When there is a burn on the face, within the mouth or throat,

The air passages will be inflamed and swollen.

Swelling will block the airway, causing suffocation.

Immediate and specialised medical aid is required.

BURNS TO THE AIRWAY

Recognition Soot around the nose or mouth

Singeing of nasal hair

Redness, swelling or burning of the tongue

Damaged skin around mouth

Hoarseness of voice

Breathing difficulties

Treatment Call for an ambulance.

Improve casualty’s air supply by loosening clothing.

Reassure casualty to keep him or her calm.

If unconscious, check for ABC.

Place casualty in recovery position.

BURNS TO THE AIRWAY

Recognition Unconsciousness

Full thickness burns with swelling, scorching & charring at both points entry and exit.

Signs of shock

Brown, coppery residue on the skin If casualty is victim of high voltage

ELECTRICAL BURNS

Treatment Make sure that contact with electrical source is

broken.

If unconscious, check for ABC.

Flood the sites of injury with plenty of cold water.

Place a sterile dressing over the burns.

Call for an ambulance

ELECTRICAL BURNS

Treatment Reassure casualty.

Treat for shock.

DO NOT approach a victim of high voltage electricity until you are officially informed that the current has been switched off and isolated.

ELECTRICAL BURNS

Recognition Evidence of chemicals

in the vicinity

Intense, stinging pain

Discoloration

Blistering

Peeling & Swelling

CHEMICAL BURNS

Treatment Make the area safe.

Ventilate the area.

Wear protective gloves.

Seal chemical container.

Remove casualty from the scene if necessary.

CHEMICAL BURNS

Treatment Flood the injury with water for at least 20

minutes to disperse the chemical and stop burning.

Remove any contaminated clothing.

Check for ABC.

Arrange removal to hospital.

CHEMICAL BURNS

Treatment NEVER attempt to neutralise the

acid or alkali burns unless trained to do so.

DO NOT delay starting treatment by searching for an antidote.

CHEMICAL BURNS

Recognition Intense pain in the affected eye.

Inability to open the affected eye.

Redness and swelling around the affected eye.

Copious watering of the affected eye.

Evidence of chemical substances or containers

in the immediate area.

CHEMICAL BURNS TO THE EYE

Treatment Place the affected eye under gentle

running water for at least 10 minutes.

Place a sterile pad over the eye.

Arrange for removal to hospital.

CHEMICAL BURNS TO THE EYE

Recognition Intense pain in the affected eye.

‘Gritty’ feeling the affected eye.

Redness and watering of the affected eye.

Sensitivity to light.

FLASH BURNS TO THE EYE

FLASH BURNS TO THE EYE

Treatment Reassure the casualty.

Place a sterile eye pad over the affected eye.

Bandage the eye pad in place.

Arrange for removal to hospital.

DO NOT remove contact lenses, if any.

SUNBURN

Recognition Most sunburns are superficial.

However, in severe cases, the skin is:

Lobster red in colour.

Blistered.

Casualty may suffer from heatstroke.

SUNBURN

Treatment Cover skin with light clothing.

Move casualty into the shade.

Cool casualty by soaking the affected

area in a cold bath for 10 minutes.

Give frequent sips of water.

SUNBURN

Treatment For mild sunburns, calamine or after-

sun lotion may soothe them.

If there is extensive blistering or other skin damage, seek medical aid.