Focus on burn wounds education

AHEAD of burn awareness commemorations next month, Medika

SA, creator of local wound care brand Melcura, believes that sharing information about these types of injuries could go a long way towards the prevention and correct treatment of burns.

“As a South African company, Melcura knows that many burn injuries occur in disadvantaged or rural areas and the company’s goal is to provide an alternative to the expensive imported wound care products,” project manager Danielle de Villiers said.

The company was focused on burn awareness and treatment education in underprivileged communities, she said.

“Our reality in South Africa is that many people are either living without electricity, or only have sporadic access to it and this means that gas or open fires are used by millions daily.

“These same people do not have easy access to medical care, so the most important first step is to educate people on prevention, and also treatment in the event of burn wounds.”

In a bid to provide assistance for wound care, Melcura supports organisations such as Heroburn, which educates and supports burn victims and their families.

Dr Hugo Nel, a plastic surgeon at Netcare Milpark Hospital who specialises in burn trauma, said a serious burn injury was one of the most devastating injuries a person can suffer. “It’s impact can not only cause multi-organ failure, but may also lead to personality changes and major emotional and psychosocial problems”.

Meanwhile, registered nurse Renè Lessing insisted that early interventions for burn wounds were vital.

“As a caregiver it is heartbreaking to see patients with infected burn wounds that could have healed quite easily if the correct procedures were taken immediately.”

“With such a large portion of our population at risk of burn wounds each day, and who don’t have access to medical treatment, I also believe our first priority is to educate people on what should be done in the event of a burn, how to treat basic wounds, and when to seek medical help,” said Lessing.

She explained that extra caution was needed when caring for the skin as it is the largest organ in the body and protects it from bacteria, fungi and viruses that live on surfaces. Even a small wound could cause problems if not treated correctly.

She said burn injuries happen more frequently in winter.

These include diabetic people with loss of feeling in their feet getting burnt with hot water and heaters, children pulling kettles or hot cups from the countertop, and burns from certain chemicals in factories. In informal settlements where there is no electricity, fires are caused by open flames.

In treating burn wounds, Lessing said, ice, butter, toothpaste, ice water or egg whites should never be applied.

“These can introduce even more bacteria, or even increase the damage already done.”

Instead, she suggested rinsing the wound with running cool, clean water for at least 20 minutes.

“This will cool down the wound and assist with the pain.

“Thereafter, lightly cover the wound with an emergency-type dressing or a petroleum jelly gauze dressing.”

Melcura has a wide range of wound treatments including its medical-grade honey, which can also be used to treat blisters, inflamed and infected wounds, as well as bites. | Staff Reporter