HOW TO TREAT AND MANAGE BURNS AND SCALDS | DOCTOR EXPLAINS (plus first aid tips)

Doctor O'Donovan

5 Oct 202204:30

Summary

TLDRThis video script educates viewers on home treatment for burns and scalds, emphasizing the importance of stopping the burning process, cooling the burn, and managing pain. It advises when to seek medical attention, such as for larger or deep burns, those on critical areas, or in cases of shock or intentional injury. The script also highlights the need for medical care for vulnerable individuals like children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems.

Takeaways

🔥 Burns and scalds damage the skin and are usually caused by heat, with burns from dry heat and scalds from wet heat.
🚑 The severity of a burn is not always indicated by the amount of pain felt; serious burns can sometimes be painless.
🧯 Stop the burning process immediately by removing the person from the heat source or dousing flames, without risking further injury.
👚 Remove clothing or jewelry near the burn area, but avoid removing anything stuck to the skin to prevent additional damage.
💧 Cool the burn with cool or lukewarm water for 20 minutes, but never use ice, ice water, or greasy substances like butter.
🧥 Keep the person warm, especially when cooling a large burn area, to prevent hypothermia, which is especially risky for children and the elderly.
🛡️ Cover the burn with cling film or plastic wrap, but do not wrap it around the limb, to protect the wound.
💊 Treat pain from burns with paracetamol or ibuprofen, following manufacturer's instructions and avoiding aspirin for children under 16.
✋ Raise the affected area to reduce swelling, such as elevating a burned hand above heart level.
🏥 Seek medical attention for larger burns, deep burns, burns on critical areas like the face or joints, chemical or electrical burns, signs of shock, or if the person has a weakened immune system or has inhaled smoke.

Q & A

What is the primary difference between a burn and a scald?
-A burn is caused by dry heat, such as from an iron or a fire, while a scald is caused by wet heat, such as hot water or steam.
Why is it important to stop the burning process immediately?
-Stopping the burning process as soon as possible prevents further damage to the skin and underlying tissues.
How should you remove clothing or jewelry near the burnt area?
-You should remove any clothing or jewelry near the burnt area, but avoid removing anything that's stuck to the skin to prevent causing more damage.
What is the correct method to cool a burn?
-You should cool the burn with cool or lukewarm running water for 20 minutes, avoiding the use of ice, ice water, or any creams and greasy substances like butter.
Why is it crucial to keep the person warm after a burn?
-Keeping the person warm prevents hypothermia, especially when cooling a large burnt area, and is particularly important for young children and older people.
What material should you use to cover a burn, and how should it be applied?
-You should cover the burn with cling film or plastic wrap, laid over the burn without wrapping it around the limb, to protect it from infection.
How can you manage pain from a burn at home?
-You can treat the pain from a burn with paracetamol or ibuprofen, following the manufacturer's instructions and avoiding aspirin for children under 16.
When should you raise the affected area after a burn?
-You should raise the affected area if possible to help reduce swelling, such as raising a burned hand above heart level.
Under what circumstances should you seek urgent medical attention for a burn?
-You should seek urgent medical attention for larger burns, deep burns, burns on the face, neck, hands, feet, or genitals, chemical or electrical burns, signs of shock, or if the person has a weakened immune system or has inhaled smoke.
Why is it particularly important to seek medical attention if the burn is on certain parts of the body?
-Burns on the face, neck, hands, feet, joints, or genitals may require specialized care due to their proximity to vital structures or the potential for functional impairment.
What additional information is provided in the video description for further learning?
-The video description includes links to the NHS website and other useful resources for more information on burn treatment and care.

Outlines

00:00

🔥 Home Burn Treatment and When to Seek Medical Help

This paragraph discusses how to treat burns and scalds at home and the signs that indicate when medical attention is necessary. Burns and scalds, which are similar in appearance and can cause redness, peeling, blisters, swelling, and changes in skin color, are differentiated by their causes: burns from dry heat like an iron or fire, and scalds from wet heat like hot water or steam. The level of pain does not always correlate with the severity of the burn. The script advises stopping the burning process immediately, removing clothing or jewelry near the burn (without disturbing adhered items), cooling the burn with cool or lukewarm water for 20 minutes, keeping the person warm without covering the burn, covering the burn with cling film or a plastic bag, treating pain with paracetamol or ibuprofen (but not aspirin for children under 16), and elevating the affected area to reduce swelling. Hospital visits are recommended for larger burns, deep burns with white or charred skin, burns on critical areas like the face, neck, hands, feet, joints, or genitals, chemical or electrical burns, signs of shock, or if the person has a medical condition or a weakened immune system. Additionally, if someone has inhaled smoke or fumes, or if the injury was intentional, medical attention is also necessary.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Burn

A burn is a type of injury to the skin or other organic tissues primarily caused by heat or due to radiation, friction, or contact with chemicals. In the context of the video, a burn is treated by stopping the burning process, cooling the burn, and managing pain. The script emphasizes that the severity of a burn is not always correlated with the amount of pain felt, and that even serious burns can sometimes be painless.

💡Scald

A scald refers to a burn caused by hot liquids or steam. Unlike burns from dry heat, scalds are typically associated with wet heat sources. The video script mentions that scalds are treated similarly to burns, with immediate attention to cooling the affected area to prevent further tissue damage.

💡Cooling

Cooling is a first aid measure for burns and scalds that involves using cool or lukewarm water to reduce the temperature of the injured skin. The video script specifies that cooling should be done for 20 minutes and warns against using ice or cold water, which can cause further damage.

💡Hypothermia

Hypothermia is a condition where an individual's body temperature drops dangerously low, typically below 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit). The video script advises keeping the person warm while cooling a large burn to prevent hypothermia, especially in vulnerable groups like young children and older adults.

💡Cling Film

Cling film, also known as plastic wrap or Saran Wrap, is used in first aid for burns to cover the injured area. The video script instructs to lay the cling film over the burn without wrapping it around limbs, which helps protect the wound and reduce the risk of infection.

💡Paracetamol

Paracetamol, also known as acetaminophen, is an over-the-counter medication used to treat pain and reduce fever. The video script recommends using paracetamol to manage the pain from a burn, highlighting the importance of following the manufacturer's instructions and considering the age and health status of the individual.

💡Ibuprofen

Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is used to reduce inflammation and alleviate pain. The video script suggests ibuprofen as an alternative to paracetamol for pain management in burns, with a reminder to check the dosage instructions.

💡Shock

Shock is a life-threatening condition where the body's organs do not receive enough blood and oxygen. The video script lists signs of shock, such as cold clammy skin, rapid breathing, and dizziness, as indicators that immediate medical attention is required for a burn victim.

💡Immunosuppression

Immunosuppression is a state where the immune system's function is compromised, making individuals more susceptible to infections. The video script points out that individuals with immunosuppression, such as those with HIV/AIDS or undergoing chemotherapy, may need medical attention due to their altered response to burns.

💡Chemical or Electrical Burns

Chemical or electrical burns are specific types of burns caused by exposure to chemicals or electricity, respectively. The video script emphasizes that these types of burns require urgent medical attention due to their potential severity and the unique treatment considerations they may require.

💡Intentional Injury

Intentional injury refers to harm caused deliberately by another person, such as an acid attack. The video script advises seeking emergency care in cases of intentional injuries, as they may involve complex medical and psychological implications beyond the physical injury.

Highlights

Burns and scalds damage the skin and are treated similarly, despite being caused by dry or wet heat respectively.

The severity of a burn is not always indicated by the amount of pain felt.

Immediate action is required to stop the burning process, which may involve removing the person from the area or dousing flames.

Clothing or jewelry near the burn should be removed carefully to avoid causing further damage.

Cool the burn with cool or lukewarm running water for 20 minutes, avoiding ice or greasy substances.

Maintain warmth by using a blanket or clothing layers, but avoid covering the injured area directly to prevent hypothermia.

Cover the burn with cling film or plastic wrap to protect the wound.

Use paracetamol or ibuprofen to treat pain from a burn, following the manufacturer's instructions.

Raise the affected area to help reduce swelling, such as elevating a burned hand above heart level.

Seek medical attention for larger burns, deep burns, or burns on critical areas like the face, neck, hands, feet, or genitals.

Urgent medical care is necessary for chemical or electrical burns, or if the person shows signs of shock.

Individuals with certain medical conditions or weakened immune systems should seek medical attention for burns.

Smoke or fume inhalation during a burn incident requires medical attention due to potential lung damage.

Intentional injuries, such as acid attacks, necessitate an emergency room visit.

Additional resources and information are provided in the video description for further education on burn treatment.