Burn treatment: first aid and medication + correct procedure

The treatment of burns is divided into first aid which is often given by a non-professional first responder and therefore without any aids. Professional first aid and treatment take the first aid a step further. So, even if the first aid is given by an untrained individual and without aids, it helps professional treatment immensely.

The very first thing to do: Turn off the source of heat or electricity

• move the victim out of the burning area or away from the hot object or harmful environment
• remove the victim's hot, burning or wet clothes
• be careful, if the garment is burned to the body, and do not remove it
• remove any rings and jewelry
• position of the victim in a sitting position, or have him/her lie down in case of major burns
• keep the affected area cool
  • in the case of first- and second-degree burns, at least for 20 minutes
  • third- and fourth-degree burns must not be cooled with water
• cover the wound, preferably with a non-stick bandage, if a clean microtene bag or food foil is not enough
  • first-degree burns do not have to be covered
  • do not pierce any blisters, there is a risk of wound infection
  • blisters will peels off on their own
  • ointments or powders must not be applied to the wound
• the affected limb is fixed to prevent movement
• anti-shock measures for burns above 15% in adults and 10% in children
• it is also important to look for other possible injuries
• it is important to keep the affected person calm 
• it is forbidden to take food and fluids until you have a professional examination
• refer the victim to an medical walk-in centre, or dial the emergency number 

The correct procedure for cooling the burn

It is important to keep in mind that proper cooling will reduce the final damage. It relieves the pain. The burn should be cooled with running and cold water. The water jet should be gentle so as not to damage the already damaged skin.

Burns on a larger area of the body should also be cooled. Data from different sources provide different views. For example, a burned area up to 50% in adults and up to 30% in children should be cooled. Another source states that wounds with a burned area of more than 20% in adults should not be cooled. In children, burned areas of over 10% and over 5% of the total estimated body area in toddlers should not be cooled.

However, what is important and needed is to protect the rest of the body from heat loss. This will prevent hypothermia. When cooling, tap water with a temperature of roughly 10 to 15 degrees Celsius or water with a temperature of up to 25 degrees Celsius, for example, pure water from a bottle, is sufficient.

Remember:
Keep the wound cool, keep the wounded warm.
Do not use food from the fridge or freezer and ice cubes to cool burn injuries.

It is very important that you make sure to stay safe when providing first aid. The scene may still be dangerous. That is why it is important to determine the circumstances of the accident or incident in order to describe whethere there are other people there, how many are injured and so on.

Thus, the information obtained will be helpful when calling 112, the European emergency number you can dial free of charge from fixed and mobile phones everywhere in the EU. Communication with the emergency operator should be calm, comprehensible, factual and truthful.

Important information to share when calling:

• what happened
• where it happened
• when it happened
• identifying the victim

The most common burns are those that happen in the home. They are minor burns and affect about 1% of the body surface. First-degree burns need first aid in terms of cooling is important, so it is not necessary to cover the wound. For second-degree burns, the above principles apply.

Chemical burns - first aid:

• remove affected clothing
• dry chemicals should be removed first without the use of water, as water can activate them
• after removal, cool with water for 30 - 60 minutes
• determination of the damaging substance and its concentration
• cover with a clean cloth

Eye injury:

• rinse for at least 30 minutes
• open eyelid and blink
• apply stream of water from the inside from the corner of the eye towards the outside
• cover with a clean cloth
• vyšetrenie 

Mouth injury:

• výplach úst
• vodu z vyplachovania vypľuť
• examination

Ingestion of caustic substances:

• DO NOT induce vomiting!
• gastric lavage must not be performed
• if possible, put the victim in a sitting position, stabilise the position
• give the victim clean water only if he/she is conscious
• examination

Inhalation injury, inhalation of hot smoke, air, vapours:

• assess facial burns
• assess burned hair in the nose, on the face
• encourage the victim to cough up mucus with soot
• laboured breathing
• treat visible burns
• provide fresh air supply
• loosen tight clothing
• reassure the victim
• find out the cause

Electrical injury:

• find and remove the source of the power supply
• otherwise do not touch the victim
• assess the blood circulation
  • common heart rhythm disorders
  • cardiac arrest
  • give CPR, chest compressions immediately 
• look out for associated injuries, frequent falls and the risk of fractures
• the victim should be moved as little as possible
• treat the burns, find the area where the electric current passed through the body
  • place of entry of electric current
  • place of exit of electric current

Common minor burns are treated on at outpatient centres with products that cool the burn and antibacterial ointments. Analgesics, i.e. painkillers, are given. Various creams, sprays, gels or burn patches can be used in the aftercare to speed up the healing.