About 85 percent of burns are minor and can be treated at home, in a doctor’s office, or in a hospital’s emergency department. Removing all clothing especially any that’s smoldering (such as melted synthetic shirts), covered with hot tar, or soaked with chemicals helps stop the burning and prevents further injury. Chemicals, including acids, alkalis, and organic compounds, are washed off the skin as soon as possible with large amounts of water.
Hospitalization is more likely to be needed in the following situations: The face, hands, genitals, or feet are burned .The person would have difficulty caring for the wound adequately at home. The person is under 2 or over 70 years old Internal organs are burned. Minor Burns Minor burns should be immersed immediately in cool water, if possible. Chemical burns should be washed with large amounts of water for a long time. At a doctor’s office or emergency department, a burn is cleaned carefully with soap and water to remove all debris. If dirt is deeply embedded, a doctor can anesthetize the area and scrub it with a brush. Any blisters that are broken or could break easily are usually removed.
Once the area is clean, an antibiotic cream such as silver sulfadiazine may be applied. A bandage, usually made of gauze, is applied to protect the burned area from dirt and further injury. Keeping the area clean is extremely important, because once the top layer of skin (epidermis) is damaged, infections can start and spread easily. Antibiotics may help prevent infection but aren’t always needed. A tetanus booster is given if immunization isn’t up-to-date. A burned arm or leg is usually kept in a position higher than the level of the heart to reduce swelling. Maintaining this position may be possible only in the hospital, where part of the bed can be raised or traction can be used. If the burn affects a joint and is of second or third degree, the joint may have to be immobilized with a splint because movement may worsen the injury. Many people who have been burned need to take an analgesic, often a narcotic, for at least a few days.
Burn victims need to consume an adequate amount of calories and nutrients for burns to heal. Those who can’t eat enough may drink nutritional supplements or receive them by way of a tube inserted through the nose into the stomach (a nasogastric tube). If the intestines aren’t functioning because of an injury or repeated operations, nutrients can be given intravenously. Because severe burns take a long time to heal, sometimes years, a burn victim can become severely depressed. Most burn centers provide psychologic support for their patients through social workers, psychiatrists, and others.
This article was culled from the publications of Deen Communication Limited