AY Honors/First aid/Burns

Burns should be immediately immersed in cold running water, or shower for large area. Do not wait to remove clothes. This should be maintained for at least 10-15 minutes.

Continue for at least 1 hour with cold pack, partially insulated with clean fabric (cotton, thin towelling), or further immersion in iced water. Blistered or open burn wounds should be cleaned and covered with non-adhesive gauze (preferably bactericidal) and cotton dressing. DO NOT use butter, oils or any similar treatment which can trap heat and increase risk of infection. Also do not use antiseptics that may aggrevate sensitive skin.

Consult a medical physician immediately for any large, deep, infected or otherwise serious burn.

Aloe vera extract, silverdene, topical analgaesics and NSAID are commonly used medications. Consult a docter before use.

Burns are sustained by electricity, heat or radiation (sunburn). There are three levels of burn, including first degree burn, second degree burns, and third degree burns. The first degree burn is typical sunburn with symtoms such as redness of the skin and pain. Second degree often has blisters and severe pain. Third degree is caused by fires and caustic chemicals. Often the victim will feel no pain, even though the skin is deeply charred.

Burns that cover more than ten percent of the body are medical emergencies and need to be treated as such.