Treating burns – the dos and don’ts

The tragic death of a toddler who died in a shack fire on 16 February in Muldersdrift, highlighted the dangers of shack fire and leaving children unattended.

According to Muldesdfrit Communication Action Group (MCAG) one in eight households has a cooking fire each year and that it is not just shack dwellers that are in danger.

Mike Francisco, spokesperson for MCAG said it is important to know what to do when treating burns.

“It is most important to distinguish between what is considered a minor burn and a major burn. It is essential for every person in a household to know the fundamentals of what to do in the event of a burn accident.”

1st-degree burn: This means only the outer layer of skin is burned, but not all the way through. The skin is usually red and there is often swelling and pain present. First-degree burns are considered minor burns unless they involve substantial portions of the hands, feet, face, groin, buttocks or a major joint. If this is the case, call for or get emergency medical attention.

2nd-degree burn: Here the first layer of skin has been burned through and the second layer of skin (dermis) also is burned. You will know this because blisters will develop and the skin will take on an intensely reddened, splotchy appearance. There will also be severe pain and swelling.

3rd-degree burn: This is the most serious kind of burn and involves all layers of the skin and causes permanent tissue damage. Fat, muscle and even bone may be affected. Areas may be charred black or appear dry and white. Difficulty inhaling and exhaling, carbon monoxide poisoning, or other toxic effects may occur if smoke inhalation accompanies the burn. This is a serious burn – call for or get emergency medical help.

Treating minor burns:

● Cool the burn. Hold the burned area under cool (not cold) running water for 10 or 15 minutes or until the pain subsides. If you do not have running water you can submerge the burned area in cool water or cool it with cold compresses. Cooling the burn reduces swelling by conducting heat away from the area. Do not put ice on the burn.

● Cover the burn with a sterile gauze bandage. Wrap the gauze loosely to avoid putting pressure on burned skin. Bandaging keeps air off the burn, reduces pain and protects blistered skin. Avoid using fluffy cotton or other material – you do not want lint in the wound.

● Minor burns usually heal without further treatment. There may be some discolouration on the burned area, however, if the pain increases or redness, fever, swelling or oozing occur this means it has become infected and you should seek medical help.

“Knowing what to do with a burn is almost as important as knowing what to do as different levels of burns often need to be treated differently,” concludes Francisco.