Burns: a simple guide to identifying and treating them
- nakshatrah2
- 9 minutes ago
- 3 min read
We all get a burn every now and then. You accidentally touch a hot pan or maybe drop a cup of hot coffee on yourself. Or maybe you fell asleep on the beach for too long and now sport a mean sunburn. What do you do now? How do you assess what your burn actually needs?
Many online remedies or age-old practices tell you to put on some ice or toothpaste. Popular TikTok 'hacks' tell you to put on flour, egg whites or yoghurt. Almost all of these are wrong (unless you're prepping for a baking session).
Let's break down the three types of burns, what they look like and exactly what to do for each.
To understand how 'deep' a burn is, we need to look at the cross-section of the skin layers. The top, thinner section of the skin is called the epidermis. The epidermis has 5 layers of cells, each serving its own function. Underneath the epidermis is the thicker dermis. The dermis is composed of connective tissue and provides structure and elasticity to the skin. The last layer is the subcutaneous tissue, which is primarily made of more connective and fatty tissues.
Causes of burns: While burns can be caused by many different sources, they are broadly classified as Thermal and Scalds, Chemical, Electrical, Radiation, Friction burns.
Burns are classified based on how deep they are:
First-degree burns: Superficial
First-degree burns, like sunburns, are usually the most common and not that serious. Here, only the epidermis is damaged. The skin may turn red, dry and painful. There are no blisters, though.
What should you do: Run cool water over the burn site for 15-20 minutes. Do not apply ice. If required, Aloe vera gel or some non-fragrant moisturiser can be applied. Ibuprofen or paracetamol can be taken for the pain. The skin may show slight discolouration for 3-5 days during healing.
Second-degree burns: Partial Thickness
These go much deeper into the second layer of skin (the dermis). There might be redness, swelling and blisters. The skin becomes shiny and very painful.
What should you do: Run cool water for 10 to 20 minutes. Do not pop the blisters, as this can lead to infection because the sterile fluid protects the damaged skin underneath. Cover the burn area with a clean bandage. Change the dressing daily. Paracetamol or ibuprofen can be taken for the pain.
Consulting a doctor is highly advisable if the 2nd-degree burn is large.
Third-degree burns: Full-thickness
These burns are more serious and affect all layers of skin. They can damage nerves, muscles, and even the underlying bone. The skin may look white, charred, black, or leathery. These burns may not be painful because the nerve endings have been destroyed, but the surrounding areas are painful.
What should you do: Call emergency services immediately or go to the hospital. Do not apply ice or immerse large burns in cold water, as this can cause hypothermia. Cover the burn loosely with a clean cloth or non-stick dressing. Keep the person warm and calm.
What not to do:
• Do not apply ice as it can cause frostbite on already damaged skin.
• Do not use butter, toothpaste, egg whites, or oil, yoghurt etc as these trap heat and increase the risk of infection.
• Do not pop blisters. They contain sterile fluid, which protects the burned skin barrier from infection.
• Do not apply heavy creams or ointments right away as they can seal in heat.
When to seek medical help:
• Any third-degree burn
• Second-degree burns larger than your palm
• Burns if they are on the face, hands, feet, genitals or over joints
• Chemical or electrical burns
• Burns in young children, elderly people, or anyone with a compromised immune system
• Signs of infection: increasing redness, swelling, pus or fever.
Cool running water for 10-20 minutes is the best first aid for burns. This prevents heat from penetrating deeper into the tissues and damaging additional layers of the skin.
References:
3. Figure: https://share.google/HcMKZ6wHsTa5WheYP
Image: Google
Assessed and Endorsed by the MedReport Medical Review Board
