|
Health 52
Info Tip:
Treating a Burn
Whether a burn comes from the kitchen stove or a wood stove, immediate first
aid can ease the pain and expedite healing.
The faster you cool the burn, the less severe the injury. Hold the affected
area under cold running water for about five minutes. If running water is
not available, pour a cold nonalcoholic beverage over the area or apply a
cold compress, but do not put ice on the burn. This can cause
frostbite and further damage the skin.
Do not use butter or ointment because these can prevent proper
healing. Instead, cover the area loosely with a sterile gauze bandage or
Band-Aid to keep air off the burn and protect blistered skin.
Do not break the blisters; broken blisters are more vulnerable to infection.
If the blister is larger than three inches in diameter, get medical
attention quickly. Burns that blister are considered “second degree.”
Third-degree burns reach fat, muscle or bone, and require immediate medical
help. However, for most minor burns, a mild over-the-counter pain reliever
should be enough to keep you comfortable until the area heals itself, but
keep an eye out for excessive redness, swelling or oozing at the burn site,
or fever, any of which might be signs of infection.
Sources: Mayo Clinic, Bridgeport Hospital
|
