11.3.2: Burns
Burns
The treatment of burns depends on the type of burn.
Treating Minor Burns:
- The first step in providing first aid to a patient who has suffered a burn is to remove them from the source of the heat.
- For first and second degree burns that are limited to a small area, apply a clean, cool towel or cloth to the area of the burn for about 15 minutes to help decrease pain.
- Do not use ice as this could result in frostbite (American Institute for Preventive Medicine, 2012).
- Once the pain from the burn has subsided, allow the area to dry for a few minutes, and then apply a clean, dry sterile piece of gauze to the area. Tape the edges down.
- Never apply ointments or grease to the area of the burn. Do not use margarine, butter, or oil on the burn.
- A supervisor should be informed and the patient should be examined with further treatment provided if necessary.
- While the burn is healing over the next few days, keep the area clean and dry. Apply clean dressings to the area as directed by the Care Plan.
- If blisters form, do not break them. Allow blisters to heal naturally. Until the skin is healed, avoid using lotion, soaps, and perfumes directly on the area.
Treating Third Degree or Large Burns:
- For third degree burns, remove the person from the heat source.
- Ensure that their airway is kept open and they continue to breathe.
- If they stop breathing, or they can no longer feel a pulse, Home Health Aides/Personal Care Aides should perform CPR immediately if they are trained in CPR .
- Stay with the patient at all times.
- Keep the patient calm and call 911 immediately.
- Do not remove clothing that is stuck on the person as you risk tearing skin off with the clothing.
- Keep the area of the burn clean. Cover it with a clean bandage or sheet until help arrives.
- Do not put pressure on the burn and protect it from friction (MedlinePlus, 2014).
- To prevent shock if a serious burn has occurred, keep the person warm and lay them flat.
- If they have not suffered from a head, neck, or back injury, elevate their feet and stay with them until help arrives.
- Do not immerse the person in water as this could cause the person to go into shock.
Treating Chemical Burns:
- If a patient is exposed to a chemical, remove the chemical from their skin immediately.
- Activate EMS by calling 911.
- Flush their skin with cool water for 20 minutes.
- If their clothing has come into contact with the chemical, remove the affected clothing.
Treating Electrical Burns:
- In the case of electrical burns, special precautions must be made.
- NEVER touch a person who has been electrocuted with bare hands.
- 911 should be called immediately.
- The appliance should be unplugged if it can be done safely.
- Do not use anything metal or wet to remove the electrical source.
- If possible, switch off the main power supply.
- If the appliance is standing in water, do NOT touch it.
- Never stand in any water, even if it is a small puddle, while touching an electrical appliance.
It is important to remember that the person suffering the electrical burn should be removed from the source of electricity only if it can be done safely. If so, stand on a dry surface such as a rubber mat, pile of papers or books, and use a dry wooden object such as a broom handle to push the person away from the electricity source (WebMD, 2014b). Never use anything with metal or that is wet.
Remember, Home Health Aides / Personal Care Aides should report ANY burn to their supervisor . The patient needs to be examined and further treatment provided. Always call 911 for any serious burn, for any burn that occurs on a large area of the body, on the head, neck, hands, feet, face, genitals, for burns that occur on more than one part of the body, if smoke has been inhaled, if the person is having trouble breathing after a burn, or if an infant, child, or a very elderly person has suffered from a burn. Home Health Aides/Personal Care Aides should also call for help if the burn was caused by chemicals or electricity. Document all injuries and steps taken to provide care. An incident report will likely need to be completed.
1. You should never use any electrical appliance near or while standing in water. True or False? ______
2. You should first remove the heat source if a patient has received a burn. True or False? ______
3. You should always call 911 if a person has received an electrical burn. True or False? ______
4. Ice should be used instead of cool water to soothe a minor burn. True or False? ______
5. It is very important to keep any burn clean and covered. True or False? ______
6. EMS should be activated if a burn occurs on a large area, on young children or the very old, or if smoke has been inhaled. True or False? ______
7. It is okay to break a blister from a burn after a couple of days to help the wound heal. True or False? ______