How to deal with burns this winter OPINION

AS we approach winter, the cold weather puts people at risk of getting burnt as they seek to get warm.

How you deal with the burn as soon as it occurs is important in the long term outcome. An important consideration is the seriousness of the burn, which is determined by its degree.

First and second degree burns

First degree burns, the least serious ones, are those in which only the outer layer of the skin is burnt, but not all the way through. With first degree burns, the skin is usually red and swollen, while pain is sometimes present.

Treat a first-degree burn as a minor burn unless it involves substantial portions of the hands, feet, face, groin or buttocks, or a major joint, which requires emergency medical attention.

Second degree burns are those in which the first and second layer of the skin has been burnt. With second degree burns, blisters develop. Skin takes on an intensely reddened, splotchy appearance and there is severe pain and swelling.

If the second-degree burn is less than 8cm in diameter, treat it as a minor burn. However, if the area is larger than that or if the burn is on the hands, feet, face, groin, buttocks or over a major joint, treat it as a major burn and get medical help immediately.

For minor burns, including first-degree and second-degree burns limited to an area not exceeding 8cm in diameter, take the following actions.

Cool the burn

Hold the burnt area under cool (not cold) running water for 10 or 15 minutes or until the pain subsides. If this is impractical, immerse the burn in cool water or cool it with cold compresses. Cooling the burn reduces swelling by conducting heat away from the skin. Don’t put ice on the burn.

Cover the burn with a sterile gauze bandage

Don’t use fluffy cotton or other material that may get lint into the wound. Wrap the gauze loosely to avoid putting pressure on the affected skin. Bandaging keeps air off the burn, reduces pain and protects blistered skin.

Take an over-the-counter pain reliever

These include aspirin, brufen and paracetamol. Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns.

Apply burn cream

These include silver sulferdiazide (SSD) or betadine burn cream.

Minor burns usually heal without further treatment. They may heal with pigment changes, meaning the healed area may be a different colour from the surrounding skin. Watch out for signs of infection, such as increased pain, redness, fever, swelling or development of pus.

If infection develops, seek medical help. Avoid re-injuring or tanning if the burns are less than a year old as doing so may cause more extensive pigmentation changes.

What not to do

◆ Don’t use ice. Putting ice directly on a burn can cause a person’s body to become too cold and cause further damage to the wound.

◆ Don’t apply egg whites, butter or ointments to the burn. This could cause infection.

◆ Don’t break blisters. Broken blisters are more vulnerable to infection.

Third degree burns

These are the most serious burns. All layers of the skin would have been burnt and this can cause permanent tissue damage. Fat, muscle and even bone may be affected. Areas may be charred black or appear dry and white.

Difficulty breathing, carbon monoxide poisoning, or other toxic effects may occur if smoke inhalation accompanies the burn.

For these major burns, call an ambulance or rush to the nearest medical emergency unit. As you do that, follow these steps:

Don’t remove the burnt clothing. However, make sure the victim is no longer in contact with smouldering materials or exposed to smoke or heat.

Don’t immerse large severe burns in cold water. Doing so could cause a drop in body temperature (hypothermia) and deterioration of blood pressure and circulation (shock).

Check for signs of circulation (breathing, coughing or movement). If there is no breathing or other sign of circulation, begin CPR.

Elevate the burnt body part or parts. Raise the body parts above heart level where possible.

Cover the affected area. Use a cool, moist, sterile bandage; clean, moist cloth; or moist cloth towels.

Get a tetanus shot. Burns are susceptible to tetanus. If your last shot was more than five years ago, your doctor may recommend a tetanus shot booster.

Remember these are only first aid measures, if you have concerns with any sort of burn, please consult a healthcare professional.

Watch out for signs of infection, such as increased pain, redness, fever, swelling or development of pus.