Burns Flashcards
The Two Types of Heat (Thermal) Burns
Partial Thickness - Affects the surface of the skin. 1st Degree Burns. May cover a small to large area of the skin
2nd Degree - Burns affect the upper layers of the skin and cause blistering
Full Thickness Burns - Affects all layers of the skin. 3rd Degree Burns affect all layers of the skin. may also affect underlying muscles, nerves and bones
What determines the severity of a burn?
The depth (or degree) of the burn
The amount of body surface burned
Which parts of the body are burned
Age and condition of the victim
Treatment for Heat Burns (1st and 2nd Degree)
1st Degree. Flush burned area with cool, clean water. Continue with the flushing until the victim notes that the heat is subsiding. Phone EMS IF the area is large, the face and neck are affected, or if it is a child/infant.
2nd Degree. Flush with cool clean water for 20 minutes. Cover the affected area with a sterile, dry dressing. Do not break blisters, if they break, cover with sterile dressing. Advise victim for a medical follow up
Treatment for 3rd Degree Heat Burns
Phone EMS.
Flush burned area with cool clean water 20 minutes or until heat subsides.
Cover the affected area with a sterile, dry dressing. Do not break blisters, but if they break cover with sterile dry dressing.
If the hands and feet are affected, separate the fingers or toes with dressings
Chemical Burns Treatment
HAZARD PREVENTION. Do not touch the chemical products. Wear gloves
Remove contaminated clothing. Brush off dry chemicals before flushing with water.
Flush the area with clean cool water for at least 15 minutes.
Use large volumes of water to flush these burns. Start washing the chemicals OFF the skin as soon as possible.
Phone EMS if area affected is larger than your palm, face and neck are affected and/or if victim if a child/infant
Treatment for Chemical Burns in the EYE
Phone EMS.
Flush eye with lots of skin-temperature water for at least 30 minutes
Rinse from the inside to the outside of the eye, including under the lids.
Encourage the victim to blink constantly while flushing to get under the lids - DO NOT LIFT THE EYE LIDS
Seek medical attention as soon as possible
Signs and Symptoms for Heat and Chemical Burns
First Degree.
Redness, Pain, Mild Swelling, Anxiety, Shock
Second Degree.
Above plus blisters
Third Degree.
Above plus Red, black and grey tissue
Waxy tight tissue, underlying tissue and organs exposed (e.g. muscles, nerves and bones)
Pain in severely affected areas may be absent if the nerves have been damage
Signs and Symptoms for Electrical Burns
Distress
Breathing and Circulation problems:
Respiratory distress or heart disruption if the shock travels to those areas or to the brain centres controlling those areas
Victim may be without pulse or non-breathing
Entrance and/or exit wounds (with internal damage in between)
Burns appear similar to heat burns
Anxiety, shock
Treatment for Electrical Burns
Phone EMS.
Turn OFF the current before touching the victim or the electrical source. Only EMS or electrical company should handle high voltage wires and power lines. Do not attempt to use a stick or plastic to remove the fallen wire from the victim
Stand in dry area
Look for wounds where electricity entered and exited the body, and cover the wounds with a dry dressing
Radiation Burns (Sunburn or Intense Light Burns)
Sunburn. Signs and Symptoms: Redness of the affected area and Blistering
Treatment: Get off the sun and relief the affected area with cool water or with a wet towel.
Pat dry and apply medicated ointment for sunburns. Protect the area from further exposure.
Do not break blisters, If there is widespread blistering, seek medical assistance. If the victim begins to vomit or develop a fever, treat for heatstroke and seek medical assistance
Intense Light Burns. Signs and Symptoms: Sensitivity to light, pain and gritty feeling in the eyes.
Treatment: Cover the eyes using a moist cool dressing. Seek medical assistance
