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Chapter : First Aid 

First Aid:  Things You Should Never Do for Burns

If you’ve ever felt the sting of a hot curling iron or a sizzling barbecue grill, you know how much these relatively minor burns hurt. You probably ran cold water on the singed area or applied some ice

• It is not a good idea
• and went about your merry way.

But would you know what to do for a more serious burn?

First, it’s helpful to have an awareness of the degree of injury and whether it’s a minor burn (one that can be treated at home) or a major burn (one that needs medical attention). Once you’ve nailed that, treatment is pretty straightforward.

Minor Burns

If the skin is unbroken:

• Apply cool (not cold or ice) water for at least 5 minutes by running water over the burn, soaking it in a water bath or applying a clean, wet towel.
• Use a moisturizing lotion, such as aloe vera, once the skin has cooled.
• Protect the burn from pressure and friction and cover with a clean, dry cotton dressing.
• Relieve pain and swelling with ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
• Update your tetanus immunization, as even minor burns can lead to this dangerous bacterial infection.

Minor burns will usually mend without further treatment, but if it hasn’t healed in two weeks or is accompanied by other symptoms, call your doctor.

Major Burns

Major burns require immediate medical care  call 108 if you can’t transport the burn victim safely.

• Remove the cause of the burn (stop, drop and roll) but don’t touch anyone who may have received an electrical burn. Use a nonmetallic object to move the person away from exposed wires.
• Check for breathing and administer CPR if needed.
• Check for signs of shock.
• Protect the burn area from pressure and friction and wrap in a thick, clean, dry cotton cloth; use a clean sheet if the burn area is large.
• Raise the body part that is burned above the level of the heart.