Winter is ‘burn’ season: Here’s what you need to know
In Africa over one MILLION people are affected by a burn-related injury each year
IN winter, the risk of burn injuries dramatically increases as people turn to open fires, paraffin lamps and heaters to stay warm.
The World Health Organization (WHO) indicates that over 96% of all fatal fire-related deaths occur in low to middle-income countries, with burns estimated to account for 180 000 deaths globally every year.
In Africa over one million people are affected by a burn-related injury each year, while globally 18% of hospital admissions are as a result of burn injuries.
According to David Stanton of Netcare 911, most burn victims are children who pull down boiling pots, touch hot surfaces or play with fire.
‘Children are naturally inquisitive and as soon as they become mobile or start walking, they begin exploring their environment.’
He says that it is imperative that South Africans arm themselves with the correct first aid knowledge to better their chances during a fire or burn accident.
‘The extent to which a burn will heal often depends on the quality of first aid received immediately after the injury.
The most important aspect to keep in mind when faced with a burn injury is to ensure that the affected person is removed from the source of heat and to cool the burnt or scalded area immediately with cool water,’ he adds.
Fire safety rules
• Move away from the heat source as soon as possible when a burn happens.
• If your clothes have caught fire, follow the golden rule: stop, drop to the ground and roll to smother the flames.
• Think twice before using a blanket or rug to extinguish a fire. Some fabrics and materials, especially the more synthetic ones, may actually make matters worse. Using water in general or a fire extinguisher, particularly in the kitchen, is always first prize.
• Once the victim is removed from the heat source and the flames are extinguished (in the case of a small fire) phone emergency services immediately in the case of serious or large-scale burning. If the burn is less severe, then the following advice may be followed:
That old wives’ tale about the butter? Don’t do it! Butter, egg whites, toothpaste or any types of lotions and potions can cause infection
• Remove any clothing that might be covering the burn. Clothes can retain heat and should be gently removed as soon as possible. However, do not pull off clothing that has stuck to the skin.
• The burning process in the area affected will continue even after the person has been removed from the source of the burn. To stop this, treat the burn immediately with cool – but not ice-cold – water. Depending on the location, size and severity of the injury, hold the affected area under cool running water until it becomes less painful. If larger areas of skin are affected, standing under a cool shower may be useful. The goal is to reduce the heat as quickly as possible.
• Ensure that a sterile dressing is applied, as it will help to relieve the pain, reduce damage to the skin and prevent infection. In order to keep the sterile dressing on the wound, cover it with a bandage.
• When applying a dressing, take care not to break the skin and do not attempt to peel any blisters. In addition, ensure that the wound is not covered by any fluffy, sticky or adhesive materials as this could further damage the area, and could potentially lead to infection.
When to get medical help
If the burn injury is severe, causes significant pain and/or is larger than the palm of your hand, visit an emergency department or call an emergency medical number.
If the burn becomes infected, you have not had a recent tetanus vaccination, or blisters occur, you should seek medical advice from your doctor or emergency medical services provider.
The severity of a burn is measured in three ‘degrees’
The South African Burns Society describes them as follows:
• First degree: Red skin, no blisters. Usually heals with little or no scarring.
• Second degree: Blisters and thickened skin. This can be a burn of either partial or full thickness of the skin, and full thickness burns may require skin grafting for the best healing.
• Third degree: Overall thickening of the affected skin, with a white colour. This burn is all the way through the skin.
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