First Aid for Burns

Skin Function and Importance

• The skin is the largest organ in the body, acting as a barrier against disease, toxins, and the sun's rays.
• It helps control body temperature, prevents water loss, warns of extreme temperatures, and provides a sense of touch.

Causes of Burns

• Burns can be caused by hot liquids, steam, fire, radiation, the sun, electricity, acids, or other chemicals.

Types of Burns

• First-degree burns: affect only the top few millimeters of skin, not serious, and include mild sunburn and minor household incidents.
• Second-degree burns: go below the top layer of skin, serious, and take a few weeks to heal, including burns from hot liquids.
• Third-degree burns: affect all layers of skin and sometimes underlying tissue, very serious, and require immediate hospital attention, including burns from electric shocks, burning clothes, or petrol fires.

Characteristics of Burns

• First-degree burns: dry, red, mildly swollen, mildly painful, and turn white when pressed.
• Second-degree burns: red, swollen, blistered, watery surface, and extremely painful.
• Third-degree burns: black and white, swollen, with visible underlying tissue, little or no pain if nerves are damaged, and may be painful around the edges.

First-Aid Treatment for Burns

• Place burns under cool running water, especially within the first ten minutes, to stop the burning process and reduce pain and swelling.
• Dry the burnt area gently with a clean cloth.
• Remove clothes carefully, unless fabric is stuck to the burnt skin.
• Cover the burnt area with a loose, clean cloth, and avoid applying oil.
• Ensure the victim can still breathe if burns are on the face.
• Seek immediate hospital attention for second or third-degree burns.