Burn Prevention

A burn is a type of injury to the skin caused by heat, electricity, chemicals, or radiation (an example of the latter is sunburn).

Sunburn

A sunburn is a radiation burn to the skin produced by overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) light, commonly from the sun's rays. Exposure of the skin to lesser amounts of UV will often produce a suntan. Usual mild symptoms are red or reddish skin that's hot to the touch, a washed out feeling, and mild dizziness. Sunburn can be life-threatening and is a leading cause of cancer.

Sunburn can easily be prevented through the use of sunscreen, clothing (and hats), and by limiting solar exposure, especially during the middle of the day.

The only cure for skin burn is slow healing, although skin creams can help.

 TYPES OF BURN INJURIES:

Thermal Burn Injuries

The most common type of burn injury — are the result of contact with heat sources such as fire, steam, hot liquids, hot metals and hot objects. Forty-three percent of burn center admissions are fire/flame related, 23 percent are related to scalding, and 8 percent are linked to contact with a hot object.

Chemical Burns

Chemical burns represent approximately 3 percent of all burn center admissions.  Chemical burns occur when certain acids, alkaloids and other caustic chemicals come into contact with the skin.

Possible causes of chemical burns at home or in the workplace include:

• Industrial products, tar, gasoline and wet pavement
• Household cleaners that contain lye (paint cleaners), sulfuric acid (toilet bowl cleaners), phenol (deodorizers), or sodium hypochlorite (disinfectants and bleaches)
• Cosmetic products such as nail polish remover and hair dye
• Explosions and spills 

Electrical Burns

Electrical burns represent 4 percent of burn center admissions.  Electrical burns occur when electric current passes through the body, causing both external and internal injuries.  Most of the damage from electric current occurs beneath the surface of the skin.  Factors affecting the extent of injury include the intensity and type of current, duration of exposure, the amount of moisture on the patient and the area of the body that the current passed through. 

How to Treat a Burn

The treatment of burns caused by heat or electricity starts with the application of cold water in order to cool destroyed tissues and to minimize damage to them.

This treatment is not administered in extensive or third-degree burns, as cold water may aggravate the state of shock.

· If the patient has suffered burns in the face or has inhaled smoke or hot air in a burning building, the burn is regarded as an inhalation burn that requires assessment by a physician. 

· We immerse the burned area immediately in cold running water. We place it under a tap or in a bucket of water, or we apply cold-water compresses (but not ice) to the burned area. 

·  We continue to cool the burned area with cold water for about 5 minutes or until the pain diminishes. We then dry the area gently with a clean towel and dress it with a sterile or clean, dry cloth. 

·  We do not prick blisters or otherwise interfere with the burned area. 

·  We do not remove clothing adhering to the wound. We remove any watches, bracelets, rings, belts, or constricting clothing from the affected area before it begins to swell. 

·  We do not apply butter, oil, or creams to the wound. We use analgesic drugs, ointments, or sprays only in first-degree burns or according to medical instructions. 

·  We do not press the burned area. 

·  In electrical burns, we look for the entrance and exit points of the electric current. 

·  In chemical burns, we do not use other materials to neutralize the chemicals without detailed medical instructions. However:

• we remove contaminated clothing and the patient’s shoes and socks;
• we douse the victim with cold water and keep washing off the burned area with running water for at least 5 minutes;
• we relieve pain with cold-water compresses;
• we cover wounds with a damp bandage;
• we require evaluation by a physician even when the burn is not extensive. 

·  In extensive burns, the victim is wrapped in a clean sheet and transferred to hospital.

• ·  In face burns, extensive first-degree burns, second-degree burns in the limbs or perineum, burns in more than 10-15% TBSA, and all third-degree burns, we require evaluation by a physician.

 R. Y. MANABAT, R.N.