Burn first aid

[ILTST]

Originally posted on the-militia and Zoklet by me.


Identification
First, you need to be able to identify the degree of the burn. First degree burns are the least serious, only the outer layer of skin known as the epidermis is burned. In addition to pain it is charecterized by:

-Redness

-Dry skin

Here's a picture.
http://i27.tinypic.com/m99368.jpg

Second degree burns are more severe than first degree burns, both the first layer and second layer of skin are burned and is much more painful than a first degree burn.

- The area swells and blisters.
- Red splotchy appearence
- White charred skin

Picture:
http://i27.tinypic.com/fl92tj.jpg

Third degree burns are painless and involve all skin layers. The area might be charred black or appear white. Fat and bone might be affected as well.

http://i28.tinypic.com/jpfs7a.jpg

If you have a fourth degree burn, you're fucked. Simple as that. The skin is charred black with no flexibility and the burn may damage tendons and bone as well. Pain is minimal.

http://rn.modernmedicine.com/rnweb/data/articlestandard/rnweb/532005/278191/i3.jpg

First aid


For minor burns (first degree burns and second degree burns no larger than three inches that are not on the face, groin, hands, feet, or ass or a major joint) cool the burn by running it under cold water at least 5 minutes or immersing the burn in cool water. Wrap it in a sterile gauze bandage loosely, but don't use cotton which will irritate the skin. This reduces pain and protects the blistered skin. Take a OTC pain reliever and you'll be fine. DO NOT use butter, grease, oil, or anything like that on a burn. That causes more damage and irritation. It is best to use cool water. Only treat first degree burns with those ointments and sprays that you can buy. On more severe burns they can do more harm than good.

Don't be an idiot and use ice unless you want frostbite. Don't break blisters either.

For severe burns call for emergency medical assistance immediately. Until they arrive, DON'T remove burnt clothing although make sure the victim is no longer in contact with smoldering materials. DONT put cold water on a burn more severe than 1st degree. Cover the burn in a cool moist sterile bandage or a clean moist cloth.

Burns that completely circle arms, wrists, ankles, or legs can cause such severe swelling that blood flow can be restricted causing even more damage. If you get a burn around something and experience a tingling sensation and numbness, discoloration (blue, purple, black), or 'fall asleep' call 911.

Burns to the neck and face can also cause breathing problems. If difficulty breathing is experienced call 911.

If the damaged area is bigger than your arm or abdomen call 911.

Chemical Burns

First remove the cause of the burn. Brush off any excess if the chemical is dry and remove all contaminated clothing, being sure not to get any in your eye. Flush the chemical off the skin surface by running cool running water for 15 minutes, in the shower is probably best. Apply cool wet compresses to help relieve pain and wrap the affected area is dry sterile dressing or a clean cloth.

If the chemical gets in your eyes, flush them with running water for 15 minutes and get medical help ASAP. After washing the eyes cover them with loose moist dressings.

If the chemical burn is minor you shouldn't have to get medical help, but if the chemical burn is 2nd degree + or has an overall body reaction you should seek medical help.

[Th0r]

Nice guide. If you want I'll convert it to PDF and upload it where people can see it.

[Th0r]

Here's the PDF copy of the thread.

http://www.4shared.com/file/129996282/3e04a5d2/ILTST9s_Guide_to_Burn_First_Aid.html?s=1

[RoundElephant]

Don't people usually die from shock in the hospital after they receive forth degree burns?

And does your method for treating second degree burns minimize scarring?

[REL0AD]

More than likely.

[death11284]

Don't people usually die from shock in the hospital after they receive forth degree burns?



It depends on how much of the body is burned, for example a patient exhibiting such symptoms in say...a part of their arm, surrounded by 2nd and mid 3rd degree burns usually will not even go into shock. The big issue with third degree burns is that it can often release toxic materials into the bloodstream, which if not stemmed quick enough (by amputation very often) will cause systemic infection and death.

Often enough when there is a large amount of fluid loss from the burns (if they cover a large portion) the body will go into hypovolemic shock, which is fairly treatable depending on the extent of injury with IV fluids. This is why immediate medical assistance needs to be called for if there is a "fourth" degree burn. In the meanwhile, if possible, just in case they go into shock the legs needs to be elevated to help circulation...unfortunately this will also increase the likelihood of infection but it cannot be helped. Keep them calm, that's incredibly important.


Does your method for treating second degree burns minimize scarring?

Make sure the water isn't "cold" just "cool", even as far as luke-warm...it's all you can do for it initially. Afterward, apply neosporin to the burn area twice a day..really the only thing you can do as far as minimizing scarring.

[aurum est potestas]

On Chemical Burns it is not always advisable to apply cold water to the affected area especially if the chemicals in question react with water such as NaOH. Sure you won't normally get a very serious burn from NaOH, but there are other compounds that react violently with water. Chemical Burns need to be assessed more as far as what to apply after you have gotten whatever chemical off of you

[memphisbrit]

Not sure about chemical burns but for minor or serious burns I have been told that Flamazine is the cream of choice to apply to the wound - not only does it have an analgesic effect but it is apparently awesome at preventing bacterial infection. In my days serving on an 'aluminium' warship (long story) this stuff was kept for use in the event of serious ship fires or galley fires where personnel sustained burns. I have a tube in my refrigerator that i 'acquired' but have no idea if this stuff is available in Pharmacies or if it has a generic name.

http://www.medbc.com/annals/review/vol_10/num_2/text/vol10n2p94.htm

[iceniner]

+ 1

[-=HeX=-]

With chemical burns, it is all about being prepared. For example, keep both acid and base 'rinses' on hand to neutralize. When working with NaOH, I keep vinegar on hand, and for acids, I keep Bicarb. soln. on hand.

Rinse with a neutralizer, then water, then keep flushing out with water. Then scrub that shit clean with, say, alcohol, and then call for help if you are REALLY fucked.

Best bet is work with a buddy. Burns fucking suck.

[digermane]

I still have a hole in my thumb from a reckless grad student leaving a chunk of sodium on the bench top and me not noticing hours later. Chemical burns are no joke. Acid burns aren't too bad but I wouldn't wish a base burn on my worst enemy. The first thing I was taught when working in lab is always know what you're working with and what to do if you fuck up because no one else will. After hearing stories about what happens when you go to the hospital... you have to tell them exactly how to treat it or you're gonna die. So read your MSDS's, kids.

[Saturday]

I have burned my hands many times with chemicals, explosions, and working with metal and glass. The best thing to do is to wear gloves.

Also, knowing what you're dealing with is important.

[-=HeX=-]

I always have the MSDS's of whatever chems are in use at the ready. Just in case. I also have a person watching me to be able to tell the EMT's what on earth has killed me :P

Basically, IF you follow safe (to the level of paranoia) practice, you will be OK. I work on non-energetic matter at the moment - making interesting compounds instead, but the hazard of burn and poison is still very big!

[iceniner]

I bet you were very interested by the new development in "crammed crystal" power cells.

Power density was the single thing preventing such advances as pistol-sized laser weapons. Now they've got something that just blew by everything else-- it's the single most powerful power cell that's not nuclear.

[-=HeX=-]

Crammed crystal power cells? Never heard of... But sounds interesting for micro-dets with internal electronics.

I was working on making the precursors to various energetics. You know those stupid hard to get chems needed to make really advanced cutting edge shit? Well. I figured out that it is not too hard - with a lot of work - to make the (harmless enough) precursors. Then, when I feel ready to try again with energetics (on the sub-gram scale, think '500mg yields') I can blow everyone away (Metaphorically!) with micro shape charges that 'just happen' to have fillers with VoD's like 9.6km/s and so on. Such fillers in tiny BJSC type charges could make nice lock-removal devices... Imagine. A charge the size of a .22LR cartridge being able to punch through the shear line of a Yale lock or such... With a thixotropic tamper and sound-muffling box it could be the new silent entry option.