What is Burns

Burns Anticipate Sunburn If you know you've gotten too much sun, take 2 aspirin tablets before the redness appears; repeat every 4 hours for up to 6 doses. Burns with Blistering If a burn blisters, cover it with a clean saline (salt water)-soaked compress and seek medical attention for evaluation and treatment. Cool Off Sunburn Cool off your sunburn with a sprite bottle of water and a fan. Spray your sunburn with water and allow the cooling breeze from the fan to hit the affected areas. Definition and Treatment A first-degree burn involves only the outer layer of skin. The skin is dry, painful and sensitive to touch. A mild sunburn is a good example. Treating sunburn involves watching for signs of dehydration and heat exhaustion. Cool baths or compresses can be soothing. A mild fever and headache can accompany a sunburn. Lie down in a cool, quiet room to relieve headache. Drink lots of water. There is nothing you can do to prevent peeling. Lotion can help relieve itching. Definition and Treatment II Second degree burns involve several layers of skin. The skin becomes swollen, puffy, weepy or blistered. Run cold tap water over the burn for 10 to 15 minutes. Cold water is the best immediate treatment for minor burns. The cold lowers the skin temperature and lessens the severity of the burn. Do not use ice, as it may further damage the injured skin. Do not put salve, butter, grease, oil or ointment on a burn. They increase the risk of infection and don't help heal the burn. Milk to Treat Sunburn Soothing milk compresses for sunburn treatment: Mix 1 cup of skim milk with 4 cups of water and add a few ice cubes. Let stand for 5 or 10 minutes to chill. Soak a clean cloth with the solution, apply to sunburn for 15 to 20 minutes; repeat every 2 hours. No Butter to Burns DO NOT apply butter, Vaseline, or any oily substance to a burn. The oil promotes further burning of the tissue and attracts germs which may cause infection. Stick with cool water, saline, or apple cider vinegar. Treating Minor Burns Minor burns, such as sunburn, can be effectively treated by applying apple cider vinegar via a clean cotton pad to the affected area as soon as possible after the injury has occurred. Care of a Skin Graft It is a must that you prevent the wound dressing from sticking to the graft. The graft will peel off along with the dressing. Many physicians recommend the use of sterile Vaseline gauze. Do Not Use Bar Soap to Cleanse Wounds Treat minor cuts and scrapes by cleansing with a liquid antibacterial soap, such as Dial. Bar soaps hold germs and could cause a wound infection. Hand washing and Wound Care The most important measure in preventing wound infection is thorough hand washing before and after wound care. You should wash your hands with a mild antibacterial soap for at least 10 to 15 seconds under running warm water and dry your hands with a paper towel rather than a hand towel. Minimize Scarring Application of an OTC (over-the-counter) antibacterial ointment, such as triple antibiotic ointment, speeds healing and lessens scarring. Saline and Wound Cleansing Saline is an effective and natural wound cleanser. To make your own saline, boil a quart of water for 5 minutes and add 1 teaspoon of table salt. Store it in a sterile glass jar in the refrigerator and discard it after 24 hours. DO NOT use this solution in your eyes. Tetanus Shot Don't forget to get a tetanus booster within 24 hours of cutting yourself if it has been longer than 5 years since your last booster. Unstick That Bandaid If your wound or scab is stuck to the bandage, soak it in saline solution, a teaspoon of salt per quart of water. If the bandage is stuck on body hair, pull in the direction of the hair growth after loosening the adhesive with alcohol.