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Show First aid for burn victims . submitted by the Park City Fire Department When you or a loved one is burned, your immediate action may make the difference between a painful inconvenience and a lifetime of anguish. Burn injuries can be caused by coming in contact with flames, hot objects, hot liquids, chemicals, electricity, etc. One way the seriousness of burns is measured is by how deeply the burn has penetrated the skin. Here's how to identify and deal with the major (classes of burns: First degree burns are minor and usually require no medical treatment. Simply run cool water over the burn for several minutes. This not only relieves pain, but draws off residual heat that may be further damaging tissues. If desired, apply a dry dressing. It won't speed healing, but will ensure that objects don't brush directly against the sensitive skin surface. Second degree burns are more serious; any but the smallest calls for treatment. These burns appear red or mottled. Blisters, swelling, surface weeping and acute pain often accompany them. For first aid, immerse the area in cold water or wrap in cloths soaked in ice water. Blot dry with a clean cloth (not absorbent cotton) and cover with sterile gauze or a clean cloth. Do not break blisters; do not apply ointments or greases. If the second-degree burn covers 10-15 percent of the body (larger than twice the size of the victim's fist) or involves face, hands, feet or genitals, hospitalization is required. Third degree burns are extremely serious, entailing total destruction of skin tissue. They may look brown. dead white, or charred. Little pain may be reported by the victim because nerve endings have been destroyed. A layman cannot treat a third degree burn. Until help arrives, remove clothing, rings, belts and shoes which may obstruct swelling, but do not remove fabric which has bonded to the burn surface. Cover the burned area with a clean cloth and elevate it. If fluid loss is extensive, you may wrap a burned extremity other than the head in a plastic bag. Many acids, alkalis, and corrosive chemicals burn on contact. Correct treatment for such a burn is copious amounts of water to flush away and dilute the chemical. Skin burns should be washed at least 20 minutes. If the eyes are affected they should be washed continually until help arrives. Medical attention for burns is required whenever breathing difficulty or fever develops. |