The method for treating burns has changed over the years. Many years ago it was common to treat a burn by rubbing butter on it; however, research and experience has taught us that treating burns with butter or some other oil based product will insulate the burn and keep the heat in, which may cause further tissue damage. First aid for treating burns is to start by getting away from the source of the burn and then hold the burned area under cool running water. If the burned area cannot be held under water, cover the area with cool moist towels for at least 15 minutes. Cooling the burned area reduces swelling, which is the main source of the pain.

Burns are classified as first, second and third degree in order of their severity. The severity is categorized by how deep into the tissues each burn goes. First degree burns are painful, yet they are the least serious of all kinds of burns. The most common type of first degree burn is the sunburn. Sunburns can cover such large areas of skin that they can be excruciatingly painful. Treating burns of the first degree is to cool them with water. Don’t let the area burned become numb, because tissue damage may ensue. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen, aspirin, and ibuprofen can help relieve generalized pain and discomfort.

Second degree burns are very painful; pressure builds up between the epidermis and the dermis. The two layers of skin separate and a blister is formed. This is very painful. Second degree burns can be caused by a bad sunburn, or some other way such as coming into contact with scalding hot water or steam. If a second degree burn is on the face, hands, groin, feet, or buttocks, treating burns of these areas need emergency medical care. Dehydration can be a problem with second degree burns, so the victim should be offered fluids to drink. Pain relievers can be taken to relieve the pain of second degree burns. There is always a risk of infection with second degree burns because the blisters eventually burst. Never try to break a blister on your own. Once the skin is broken there is a pathway for germs to enter into the body.

Third degree burns are serious burns and should be taken care of by a physician. Third degree burns involved the full thickness of skin, the fatty tissue, and possibly the muscle layer and into the bones. The victim feels no pain with third degree burns because the nerves have been destroyed. Treating burns of the third degree usually requires hospitalization. Treating burns of the third degree requires daily cleaning and bandaging. Often the areas burned will develop a hard crust called eschar which has to be removed for the burned areas to heal.

Treating burns of the third degree is an uphill climb for the victim. So many complications can come about because of the burn. The first threat is hypovolemic shock. Such a serious burn causes a fluid shift as plasma from the circulatory system, as well as the fluids of the body exit through the site of the burn. Many victims of third degree burns dienot from the burns, but from the complications that arise after the burn injuries. If you get burned and you don’t know badly you are injured, call 911 to get medical help right away.

Treating Burns of all Degrees is a post from: First Aid Guide

House fires often happen at night when everyone is asleep; especially if there is a smoker in the house. Smokers sometimes go to sleep with a lit cigarette. If you smoke, never smoke when you are sleepy. Always extinguish your cigarette in an ashtray, and make sure it is completely out. Empty ashtrays only after all the heat is gone from its contents. If a fire should start from a dropped cigarette, it may smolder for hours before a flame appears. Everyone could be asleep or unresponsive from smoke inhalation. No matter how a fire starts, whether from careless smoking or some other cause, serious burns can result.

Many 3rd degree burns happen at home, and sadly children are often the victims. Children playing with lighters can easily catch their clothes on fire. Parents can prevent this kind of injury by keeping their matches and lighters out of the reach of their children. Flame resistant clothing can help prevent 3rd degree burns, because if the clothes don’t catch on fire there will be no contact with the heat source.

All 3rd degree burns are serious; when the area burned is confined to a small area it may be able to be treated in a doctors office or emergency room as an outpatient. When a major burn involves a larger percentage of the body’s surface it is a medical emergency. If you are exposed to flames the immediate response is to stop what you are doing and drop to the floor or ground and then roll to put out the flames. So many extensive 3rd degree burns have been incurred because the person on fire panicked and ran, rather than doing the basic stop, drop and roll life-saving method.

With thermal injury the person is exposed to heat or flame. If you are in a situation such as this, after the stop, drop and roll maneuver, remove jewelry and clothing from the area burned if possible; the exception to this is if the jewelry or clothing are stuck to the burned area. Don’t ever try to remove anything that is stuck to the injury. Let the professionals deal with anything that is stuck to the wound. 3rd degree burns penetrate the whole thickness of the skin, and may also involve the fatty and muscular layers. 3rd degree burns sometimes involve the skeletal tissue; however, some professionals classify burning of bone tissue as a 4th degree burn.

A state of shock often sets in after a 3rd degree burn. Hypovolemic shock is caused when there is massive fluid loss when a large area of the body is burned. The immediate treatment for shock is to lie the victim down and elevate the feet about 12 inches (30 cm) so that the feet and legs are above the heart. It is necessary to keep the blood flowing to the vital organs. Cover the victim with a blanket to prevent chilling.

Dial 911 immediately. Emergency workers will immediately insert an intravenous line to keep a vein open for any emergency drugs that need to be administered. The IV is to replenish the body’s fluid and electrolyte balance, but it is also a route for medications to be administered to treat the effects related to 3rd degree burns.

Everyone should have a working smoke detector in their home. Check it regularly. Have an escape plan in case of fire. Practice your escape route. Make sure everyone in the family understands what they are to do in case of fire. Practicing an escape route several times a year will help to avoid panic. Most often people die because they panic.

Careless Smoking and 3rd Degree Burns is a post from: First Aid Guide

One of the most common causes of 2nd degree burns is sunlight. Going out in the sun for long periods with any protection from a sunscreen or protective clothing is a dangerous thing to do because UV rays of the sun penetrate deep into the skin and can burn large areas of skin. The summer months are the most dangerous for burns; however people living in climates where there is lots of snow can get burned also. In the winter the sunlight is not as direct as in the summer months, but people get burned every day from the reflection of the sunlight off the snow.

There are other ways to receive 2nd degree burns. Accidents happen in the kitchen all the time. Cooks get splattered with grease from frying bacon. They get burned by steam escaping from a lid. Sometimes freak accidents happen in the kitchen; a pot of boiling water gets tipped off the stove and falls on whoever is standing in the way. 2nd degree burns in the kitchen can be minor or severe.

The layers of skin separate with 2nd degree burns. The epidermis, the outermost layer of skin, separates from the dermis, the second layer of skin where the sweat glands, hair follicles and tiny blood vessels (capillaries) are located. Severe burns of this nature run deep into the dermis layer, and sometimes burns of this magnitude can go much deeper and be classified as 3rd degree burns.

Symptoms of 2nd degree burns are pain, redness, and swelling, blistering or peeling of skin, and shock. Many times burns heal to leave a white or tan scar that is not the same shade as the rest of the skin. Most of the pain of a burn injury is from the swelling, rather than the heat. Nerve endings get burned and they swell and become irritated causing severe pain.

First aid for 2nd degree burns is to get away from the source of the burn. Next you need to cool the burn. If it is a small area like a finger or hand, holding the area under cool running water for 15 minutes will help take the pain away. If it is a larger area of the body that is burned place cool moist towels over the burn. A very large 2nd degree burn will most likely need medical attention.

Don’t ever apply ointments to a burn; it will make the pain even more severe as it acts as an insulator to keep the heat trapped within the wound. If the area between the fingers and toes has been severely burned separate them with sterile non-stick dressings such as Telfa. The problem with 2nd degree burns, as well as those of 3rd degree, is that the appendages can weep and stick together; separating them with non-stick dressings will prevent complications later on.

Whether you have been burned by the sun or in the kitchen, or in some other manner take care to cool the burn and protect yourself from further injury. If the burn injury is severe, call 911 for emergency care. With severe 2nd degree burns there is the possibility of shock setting in. Lie down, and if anyone is with you have him/her put pillows under your feet and legs to elevate them above your heart. Stay in that position until the emergency workers have arrived to help you.

Causes of 2nd Degree Burns is a post from: First Aid Guide

The severity of burns is determined by the amount of damage to the tissues of the body. Burns are classified by degrees: first, second and third degree; the higher the degree the more serious the burn.

First degree burns are the least serious, involving the epidermisthe outermost layer of the skin. A burn in this category is characterized by pain, swelling and redness of the area. Other than redness of the skin there is no other tissue damage. A burn in this category usually heals on its own without any medical intervention.

Second degree burns involve the first and second layers of the skin, which are the epidermis and the dermis. This burn injury is characterized by severe pain, swelling, redness and blistering of the skin. A second degree burn is not considered serious if it is no larger than 2 to 3 inches; however, if the burn is larger than 3 inches, or it involves the area of the face, hands, feet, buttocks or groin go to the emergency room to be treated by a medical professional.

First aid for first and second degree burns

The first response to treat a minor burn is to cool it down. If possible hold the burn under cool running water. If you cannot hold a burn under running water, immerse the burn.

If there is blistering of the skin, do not attempt to break them.

If immersing isn’t possible wrap the burn in cool moist towels. Cool water takes the pain away from the burn temporarily as it directs the heat away from the skin.

Don’t ever use ice because it can cause frostbite.

Once the burn has been cooled cover it with a band aid or with loose sterile gauze. Wrapping the burn keeps air from touching the skin. Just the movement of air on the skin will cause severe pain.

Third degree burns involve the entire thickness of the skinand can involve fat, muscle and even bone. Third degree burns are painless because the nerve endingspain receptorshave been burned away.

First aid for third degree burns

Before you do anything else dial 911 for medical assistance.

Do not remove clothing because the clothes may be burned into the skin and underlying tissues.

Do not move the victim unless he/she is exposed to smoke or heat.

Check for signs of life. If there is no breathing begin CPR

In lieu of sterile bandages, cover the wounds with cool moist towels or cloths.

Never immerse third degree burn injuries in water; this may cause the victim to go into shock, which is a medical emergency.

The areas that are burned may be hard and black or the areas may appear dry and whitethis is called escharpronounced es-skar. Third degree burns are most likely to occur when people come into contact with corrosive chemicals, electricity, flames, scalding, or if clothing should catch on fire. Small children and elderly people are the most susceptible of being severely burned; however, anyone can be severely burned. A third degree burn is always a medical emergency.

First Aid for Burns is a post from: First Aid Guide

More and more people are choosing the least expensive way to whiten their teeth. Going to a dentist for whitening treatments can run into hundreds of dollars; and still cause chemical burns to the gums and the other mucous membranes of the mouth. The dentist often applies a bleaching gel and then has you expose your teeth to a bright light to activate the bleaching ingredient. Some people are more sensitive than others and the treatment can cause chemical burns in the mouth.

We all want pearly white teeth; but the problem with that is that our teeth are not naturally that white to begin with. The effects of aging and our lifestyle have a lot to do with how white our teeth are. Our teeth are normally off-white, but the media would have you believe that natural is not white enough.

Those that don’t want to pay a dentist to whiten their teeth usually go to the corner drugstore and purchase a tooth whitening kit. The problem with many of the tooth whitening kits is that they contain caustic ingredients than can cause chemical burns to the mouth and gums. Most of the products have the same ingredient that many hair lightening products have, which is hydrogen peroxide. The hydrogen peroxide that we buy in the brown bottle at the supermarket or pharmacy isn’t the same hydrogen peroxide that is in these tooth whitening products. The product in the brown bottle is a very dilute form of hydrogen peroxide, but the active ingredient in tooth whitening kits is much stronger.

Whitening gels and whitening strips can damage your teeth when used over time, and to have any noticeable results you have to use them fairly regularly. The problem being that as stains are removed from the teeth there may also be a minute layer of enamel being removed also. When tooth enamel is burned away, your teeth become more sensitive to heat and cold; the discomfort is a direct result from chemical burns. Not only are some people affected by sensitivity to heat and cold, but some folks are suffering constant tooth pain where nerve endings are exposed as a direct result of chemical burns to the teeth. The corrosive ingredients in tooth whitening products cause chemical burns to the teeth. The use of these products burns away layers of enamel.

If you must whiten your teeth from a kit or in your dentists office be sure that you have no dental caries. The active ingredients in the treatment can get into the insides of your teeth through your cavities which may cause tremendous pain. Chemical burns from tooth whitening products can burn the inside as well as the outer surfaces of your teeth; the only way to relieve this nerve pain is to have a root canal.

Chemical burns to the teeth and mouth occur because the 35 percent hydrogen peroxide is an oxidizing agent that burns through tooth enamel. In a dentists office the light used in the mouth increases the corrosiveness of the oxygen particles that inflicts chemical burns on the teeth. As a preventive measure for people who want to continue whitening their teeth, they should use fluoride toothpaste regularly. Fluoride enriched toothpaste helps to prevent tooth damage and it also helps reduce tooth sensitivity.

Tooth Whitening and Chemical Burns is a post from: First Aid Guide

Cigarette burns in carpet

Sooner or later, if you smoke or someone in your family smokes, you will get burn marks on your furniture, on your carpet, on a wooden table, or somewhere. You don’t have to live with nasty cigarette burns throughout your home; you can do something about it. Before doing any repairs to your carpet, vacuum the carpet at the site of the cigarette burns. Next, pull up the fibers that were burned and cut them off with a razor blade or sharp knife. Then go to the edge of your carpeting and cut off some fibers from the edge of your carpet and dab them into a bit of super glue and patch the area that was burned. After the glue has set and the fibers have welded to the carpet you will not even notice where the burn was.

If you have a large burn or multiple burns in your carpet you may want to try another approach. You can buy a kit to patch your carpet. The kit includes a cookie cutter type of tool that cuts carpet. You cut the spot out of your carpet with the cookie cutter tool. Next cut a piece of self adhesive seam tape to the area that you have just cut the hole. Next go to a closet and use the same cookie cutter tool to cut out a piece of carpet to fit where the burn was. Fit the new piece of carpet into the hole and press down until it is firmly adhered. Next take a comb and blend all the fibers together; no one looking at your carpet would ever know that it ever had cigarette burns.

Cigarette burns on a wood table

Minor burns can be removed by rubbing steel wool gently over the spot until the burn mark is removed and then rub the area with furniture polish that has scratch concealing properties in it to wax the area.

If the burn mark is a deeper one, you will need to use 60-grit sandpaper to remove the cigarette burns. Once the burn mark has been lifted use a finger grade of sandpaper and re-sand the area where the burn was. Blend in furniture polish to conceal the blemish.

Another way to get rid of cigarette burns on a wooden table is to take equal parts of vinegar and baking soda to make a paste. Rub the paste into the cigarette burns and let them set for a few minutes, and then use a pencil eraser to rub away the burn marks. Then clean the table and dry it. Apply a stain to patch the area with a q-tip. It may take more than one coat to get the area to blend perfectly.

Cigarette burns on leather or vinyl

Burns on leather or vinyl upholstery can be repaired with a kit. You can buy repair kits on line. You follow the directions on the package. Always start with a clean surface, and then apply the vinyl finish compound. The kits have everything you need to do the repair. The vinyl repair will work on leather jackets too.

How to Hide Cigarette Burns is a post from: First Aid Guide

Everyone should have a first aid kit, and that kit should contain items to treat burns. But in the workplace, first aid burns kits are necessary for the treatment of minor burns in that occur while on the job in the workplace. Someone that works with caustic chemicals or flame must have a first aid burns kit. Not only are there products for first aid to cuts and scrapes, but there has to be equipment and products to specifically render first aid to burn victims. A first aid burns kit must contain sterile gloves, scissors, tape, non-stick sterile dressings, gauze, cold packs. Many prefilled first aid burns kits come with water-gel dressings of various sizes that are good to use places that need to be wrapped. The kit should contain an antiseptic hand cleaner for the one that is rendering first aid. In case of burns to the eyes, the first aid burns kit should contain sterile oval eye pads. There should be at least 1 liter of sterile water for irrigation.

Burns are classified by the amount of tissue damage. The least severe is a first degree burn, the next is second degree, and the most serious is a third degree burn that involves the structures under the skin. The person that has a first or second degree burn can take an over-the-counter analgesic such as acetaminophen or aspirin to help relieve the pain.

Second degree burns of the face, private areas, as well as the hands and feet should be seen by a physician. All third degree burns are serious and need emergency care. Blisters will form with second degree burns as fluid seeps in between the epidermis (outer layer) and the dermis (inner layer) of the skin. Do not attempt to break the blisters; an opening in the skin allows for bacteria to enter the burned area. There is increased risk of infection if the blisters have been broken.

The first aid burns kit should never take the place of the primary measures taken to render first aid to burns. Always, if it is a thermal, electrical or chemical burn, remove the source of the burning. Flush the burn with water for about 15 minutes. Some experts say to flush the burn in 5 minute increments up to 15 minutes.

With severe burns there is always a possibility for the victim to go into a state of shock. Shock is a life threatening state; the victim may complain of dizziness, feel cold and clammy to touch. This happens when the victim is not getting enough blood flow to heart, lungs and brain. First response is to prevent this from happening. Lie the victim down and elevate the feet and legs above the heart.

A first aid burns kit is a separate kit from a first aid kit for cuts and scratches. It is specialized to render first response to a burn until the victim can be seen by a physician. Not all burns will require first aid from the first aid burns kit, but the kit should be available if it is needed. You can purchase first aid burns kits online, and they may be available at your local pharmacy.

First Aid Burns Kits is a post from: First Aid Guide

Burns are classified in order of their severity and involvement in the tissues of the body; the classifications are: first, second and third degree burns. First aid for burns is specific to the burn injury. First aid for burns varies slightly from the less serious burns to the severe. Second degree burns can be as severe as some third degree burns if they cover a major portion of the body, or on tender areas of the arms, hands and feet.

First aid for burns in the first degree

First degree burns involve the epidermis, the outermost layer of the skin. This layer is like a raincoat. The epidermis is the layer that keeps all the body fluids within the body and keeps bacteria and all the elements outside the body from entering. In a first degree burn the epidermis has not been injured very badly, it is to be considered a minor burn unless the burn involves sensitive areas such as the face, groin, buttocks, or the hands and feet. The first objective is to get away from the source of heat, and then cool the burn. Run cool water over the burn or place a cool compress over it. Cooling the burn prevents swelling and thus helps to relieve pain.

First aid for burns of the second degree

Second degree burns penetrate down to the dermis, which is the second layer of skin. There is a layer of fluid that collects between the epidermis and the dermis, which causes blistering. Severe pain is associated with a second degree burn due to swelling. As with the first degree burns the first aid for burns are the same. Remove yourself from the source of the burn. Run water over the burn or if that isn’t feasible, place moist towels over the burn for 15 minutes to cool reduce the swelling and cool the burn. If the second degree burn is larger than 3 inches treat it as a major burn, especially if the burn is on the face, hands, feet, buttocks, groin or major joint. Large second degree burns should be treated like an emergency. Dial 911 and get medical help immediately.

First aid for burns of the third degree

Third degree burns are usually painless because the nerve endings have been burned away. You may not know initially how badly burned you may be. The burn will have penetrated the skin and fatty layer, and may be even more involved. Third degree burns can go down to the muscle layers and even to the bone. Some professionals categorize burns that penetrate to the bone as fourth degree burns.

First aid for burns of the 3rd degree starts out by getting away from the source of the burn, and call 911 The victim should be lying down with his/her feet elevated above the heart to prevent the symptoms of shock. Cool moist towels should be placed over the burns. Do not immerse the large third degree burns in cold water; this could cause the victim to go into shock. Never try to remove clothing that is stuck to a burned area. Once EMS has arrived let them take over the care of the victim.

First Aid for Burns In The First Degree is a post from: First Aid Guide

Chemical induced second degree burns occur when the skin is exposed to a caustic substance. The chemical could be either acidic or alkaline in nature. Corrosive chemicals often cause second degree burns. Depending on the chemical that made contact with the skin, the symptoms may vary, but generally there might be itching or burning sensations. There may be darkening or bleaching of the skin. Chemical burns can go much deeper than second degree burns. Symptoms could also include dizziness, headache, nausea and vomiting. There could be hives and wheels coming up on the skin. Second degree burns are often accompanied by blisters. If blisters do occur, never try to break them for risk of infection.

People that work in chemical labs are always at risk of burn injuries; they are required to wear protective gear such as goggles, gloves and often a lab jacket is required to protect the lab worker from first and second degree burns. Burns caused by a caustic chemical often causes tissue necrosis (death); this is why flushing of the area is so important at the time of exposure. Adequate flushing with running water can make the difference between a first and second degree burns. Flushing can also stop the corrosion from causing third degree burns.

Not only the lab worker is susceptible to chemical burns; many of our household products are dangerous chemicals that can cause burns. Parents with small children need to make their cabinets inaccessible to their children. Babies and small children like to play in cabinets. Every year children have been injured by caustic chemicals kept under the sink in our cabinets that resulted in second degree burns or worse.

If chemical contact has occurred to the eyes or skin the first response is to flush the area with running water for at least 15 minutes to prevent serious burn injury. All burns of a chemical nature need to be taken seriously and followed up with emergency care. Chemical burns are usually very painful; but the burning may or may not be immediately noticeable. The second degree burn caused by chemical contact needs no source of heat as does a thermal injury. After rinsing the area should be covered with a cool wet cloth to help relieve the pain. Never use an ice pack on a burn, this could cause tissue injury.

You can also receive second degree burns on the inside by inhaling caustic substances. Never mix chemicals; many household products contain volatile chemicals when mixed. If you use chlorine bleach, you will see a warning not to mix with any other product. Products containing ammonia used in conjunction with chlorine bleach may give off caustic fumes, that when inhaled may cause second degree burns of the mucous membranes of your respiratory tract.

Always follow directions when using any kind of chemical. Whether you work with chemicals every day or not, use caution. If you do become exposed to a chemical follow the first aid procedures to eliminate the chemical contact with the skin through flushing. Wrap the area if possible with sterile bandages or clean cloths. Dial 911 for emergency help if indicated.

Caustic Chemicals and Second Degree Burns is a post from: First Aid Guide

The sun burns the skin unless we have applied a sunscreen or we have developed a gradual tan. Most people that are fair complected don’t tan easily and the sun burns their sensitive skin. Most people with blond, red or light brown hair have fair skin; they have to take special precautions not to burn.

In order to understand how the sun burns the skin you must look at the skin. What is the skin? Its an organ just like your liver and heart. The skin is an organ, and it is what makes up the integumentary system. This organ (skin) has a design and function that has many purposes. One function is to act something like a rain coat. The skin is a boundary that keeps everything on the inside of the body where it is supposed to be, and keeps everything on the outside from getting in. The skin communicates with the environment. When you feel cold it is because the nerve receptors in the skin let you feel it. You then know to get out of the cold or put on a jacket.

When you are exposed to the sun for long periods the skin reacts to ultraviolet light. The sun burns the skin because a condition known as erythema develops 6 to 8 hours after exposure to the suns UVB rays. The pain of the sunburn is caused by the body’s reaction to the skin damage caused by the ultraviolet rays. The redness associated with sunburn is the erythematic response; this inflammatory process damages the DNA of the skins cells caused by UVB radiation. The body responds to the damage by sending blood to the damaged area to start the repair work. The extra blood at the surface of the damaged area causes the heat you feel from the burn.

Everyone going out into the sun should use sunscreen to protect their skin from UVB rays. The sun burns the skin in as short a time as 15 to 20 minutes of exposure for some fair complected people. If you are safe from burning for 15 minutes of exposure without any protection, then a sunscreen with the SPF (sun protection factor) will protect you 10 times that long. You will be protected for 150 minutes of exposure to UVB rays. Always apply sunscreen 20 to 30 minutes before going into the sun or into the water. The sunscreen needs to have a chance to absorb into the skin. If you go out too soon after application of sunscreen, it could wash off with perspiration or from going swimming. The sun burns the skin if the sunscreen does not bind with the skin and washes off. You will have wasted your time of applying it if you do not wait long enough for the sunscreen to set. It is recommended to re-apply sunscreen periodically. The sun burns the skin if the layer of protection has started to wash off. To avoid being a casualty of when the sun burns, follow the directions on the bottle of sunscreen.

How the Sun Burns Your Skin is a post from: First Aid Guide