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Burns
Have
you ever tried cooking? Surely it's fun
but as long as you are not hurt by fire.
But in case you are, you don't have
to worry because your small safety guide
leads you to have effective preventive
measures. While we are providing information
to treat burns, it is
equally important to highlight different
types of burns so that an appropriate
treatment could be arranged for.
Description About
Burns:
Burns are classified into three types.
This classification is based on the degree
of harm a burn can cause. These are:
- First
degree burns
- Second
degree burns
- Third
degree burns and Chemical burns
6.1- First Degree
Burns
First degree burns cause mild damage and
affect only outer layer of skin. They
may cause
- Redness
- Swelling
- Pain
What
You Should Do
1. Immediately submerge the affected part
in cold water.
2. Keep it under cold running water or
place a cold wet towel on it till the
pain decreases.
3. Cover it with a dry, clean gauze dressing
for protection.
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6.2-
Second Degree Burns
Second-degree burns are merciless and
go through the second layer of the skin.
These Cause
- Blisters
- Swelling
- Extreme
pain
- Rough
red skin
What You Should
Do
- Immerse
in cold water or have cold, wet cloths
applied to it immediately.
- Gently
dry the blotted area. Do not rub. Rubbing
may break the blister, opening it to infection.
- Cover
wound with dry, sterile bandage.
- If
burn is located on arm or leg, keep limb
elevated as much as possible.
- Second-degree
burns take time in healing. They may take
few weeks to recover completely.
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6.3-
Third Degree Burns
As the name suggests, third degree burns
penetrate deep into the skin and cause
greater damage. These burns however are
less painful because they destroy nerve
cells that can sense the pain. Whitish
or burnt appearance is the symptom of
third degree burn.
What
You Should Do
-
Do not remove any clothing near or at
the site of the burn
- Do
not apply cold water or medication to
the burn.
- Place
clean, dry cloths (i.e. strips of a clean
sheet) over the damaged area.
- If
burns are on arms or legs, keep the limbs
elevated above the level of the heart.
- If
victim has burns on face, check frequently
to make sure he is not having difficulty
breathing.
- Take
patient to a hospital at once.
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6.4-
Chemical Burns
Chemicals such as acid cause such burns.
What You Should
Do
-
Remove clothing on or near the burn area.
Never pull clothing over the head with
a chemical burn. You may need to cut the
clothing.
- Wash
the area thoroughly with low-pressure
water for at least 20 minutes.
- Apply
a clean dressing to the area.
- Get
medical attention as soon as possible.
(Top)
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