Skin burns are frequent for people who regularly cook, work as chefs, as mechanics and other professions that require them to work with fire. Unfortunately, skin burns are often ignored and overlooked as common home injuries. But if these go untreated, they can cause severe health problems.
Our skin is the largest organ of the human body, and it also acts as the 1st level of defense against the external elements. But if the skin is not looked after or any injury or burn is left untreated, it can lead to infections and diseases.
When the skin meets something very hot like an object, liquid or chemical or even radiation, it causes a skin burn. Skin burns can be classified into three different categories depending on the intensity of the trauma and the injury caused.
This skin burn is a superficial burn as it affects only the 1st or the uppermost layer of the skin or epidermis. Prolonged exposure to the sun causes sunburns, a type of 1st-degree burn.
The 2nd-degree skin burn needs attention and cannot be overlooked or ignored. This type of burn affects a deeper layer of the skin, the epidermis, and the dermis, wholly or partially.
Although first-degree burns are not as serious as higher-degree burns, they can hurt quite a bit and can leave a scar if not properly treated.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj – M.B.B.S, M.D.
The third-degree burn is dangerous and needs immediate attention as it goes deeper than the epidermis and dermis, i.e., it causes damage to the skin tissues. It may result in whitened or blackened or charred skin.
Hold the area under cool (not cold) running water for about 10 minutes is the most important treatment. If the burn is on the face, apply a cool, wet cloth until the pain eases. For a mouth burn from hot food or drink, put a piece of ice in the mouth for a few minutes. Remove rings or other tight items from the burned area.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD
In case of 1st-degree burn injury, it is best to treat it by cleaning the burnt region with cold compression or antiseptic cream. Do not rub ice. Consult a doctor in case of blisters or irritation of the skin.
First-degree burns usually heal on their own without treatment from a doctor. However, if your first-degree burn is very large, if the victim is an infant or elderly person, or if you think your burn is more severe, go to an emergency room immediately.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj – M.B.B.S, M.D.
While minor burns can be treated at home, burn injuries should not be ignored in certain situations. The affected person should seek medical help immediately in such cases. Below are some conditions when the burn injury requires immediate medical attention:
Burns should be treated by doctors only. If in an unfortunate situation, a person’s clothing catches fire, it is best to cover them with a blanket and do the stop-drop-roll ritual. Never douse the person with water. Proper first aid should be administered by a doctor only.
Also Read: Psoriasis Skin Disease : Symptoms, Types & Treatment
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Life as we know it is unpredictable. We never really know when a medical emergency will strike. In short, we must ‘expect the unexpected’. We should, therefore be ready and prepared to deal with it. Sometimes things happen so quickly that we do not have the time to process all of them. Knowing what to do in case of a medical emergency will enable us to think more clearly and help us manage the situation rather than just fret and worry over it.
Heart Attack: Treatment within the first 90 minutes dramatically increases the chances of survival. Get the person to chew and swallow an Aspirin if he/she is not allergic to it. Cardiac Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is not needed unless the heart attack victim goes into cardiac arrest, which means they are unconscious and have stopped breathing. If this happens, CPR will keep the blood circulating while you wait for the ambulance or for someone to get a defibrillator.
In my experience best way to protect against medical emergency is to get regular health check ups , as prevention is better than cure.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD
Breathing Difficulties: Ensure that the person is in an open space. Loosen all tight clothing. Check for airway and pulse to determine if CPR can be administered.
Seizures: Move all dangerous objects away from the person. Cushion their head on a soft object and check for their breathing.
Traumatic Head Injury: Immediately call for medical help. Check for the person’s airway and breathing. If there is bleeding, firmly compress the area. Apply ice packs if there is swelling.
Stroke: Call for medical aid if you notice symptoms like slurred speech, facial and arm weakness, dizziness, severe headache and blurring of vision. The treatment has to be administered within 3-4 hours to ensure the survival of the victim.
An individual should be familiar with the basics of first-aid, in case of an emergency- reaching out to a hospital’s helpline number and doing CPR (Cardiopulmonary resuscitation) if need be and if the expertise is available, can be important to save a life in case of a cardiac emergency.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D
Burns: First aid for burns varies depending on the cause of the burn. If the burn is because of heat, pour cold water over it, until there is relief from pain. Cover with a sterile dressing. If the burn is caused by an electrical shock, make sure to turn off the power before you rescue the victim. Assess the need to provide CPR. If the burns are due to spillage of chemicals, clean the skin with a cloth or gloved hands.
Things to do in an Emergency Situation:
Disclaimer: The above information has been prepared by a qualified medical professional and may not represent the practices followed universally. The suggestions listed in this article constitute relatively common advice given to patients and since every patient is different, you are advised to consult your physician, if in doubt, before acting upon this information. Lupin Limited has only facilitated the distribution of this information to you in the interest of patient education and welfare.
