Burns are a leading cause of accidental death and injury in the U.S. A burn is an injury that results from heat, chemical agents or radiation. Burns vary in severity and damage to tissue. Causes of burns: Carelessness with matches and smoking, scalds from hot liquids, burns from heating including space heaters, accidents with cooking, hot bath water, chemicals such as lye, acids and sometimes detergents and bleach, and using flammable liquids incorrectly.
Classification of burns:
1. First degree – redness and mild swelling and pain- caused by sunburn, hot objects and scalding by steam or hot water.
2. Second degree – redness and mottled appearance with blisters, more swelling and can be wet due to plasma loss in burned area, much more painful than deeper burns – caused by deep sunburn, hot liquids, chemicals, flash burns.
3. Third degree – may look white or charred and may resemble a second degree wound, third degree wound beds frequently have a combination of first, second and third degree burns. Third degree burns are often less painful as nerve endings are damaged or destroyed.
In first and second degree burns only involve partial thickness of the skin and new skin will grow if infection does not occur. Third degree burns that involve full thickness will not heal except at the edges, the third degree wound bed will develop scar tissue. In general a person who has suffered second or third degree burns over 15 % of his body surface or 10 % for a child, requires hospitalization. Elderly with 30-50% of third degree burns have a high potential of dying from their injuries.
Treatment of burns:
First Degree – apply cold water or submerge the affected area in cold water. Medical attention is not usually required. Call the office as soon as first aid is completed and the client is settled and report the burn.
Second Degree – immerse the affected area in cold, not iced water or cover the burns with clean cloths which have been soaked in cold water. Call 911 for assistance and call the office as soon as possible after the client has received first aid for burns.
Third Degree – Do not remove clothing that is adhered to the burned area, cover the burns with clean cloth or sheets, burned hands and feet should be covered and then elevated above the level of the heart. Do not let the victim walk Facial burn victims should sit up or be propped up and monitored for breathing problems. CALL 911
Chemical Burns – remove clothing and wash the area for at least 5 minutes with a large steam of water, using a shower of hose if possible. CALL 911
Burns of the Eye – Call 911 and wash the eye under a steady stream of water until help arrives do not let water into the unaffected eye.
General rules for burn care- DO NOT USE ANY HOME REMEDIES OR TREATMENTS- NEVER USE OILS, BUTTER OR PETROLEUM JELLY ON BURNS, THEY WILL HOLD IN THE HEAT AND CAUSE DEEPER BURNS. CALL 911 ASAP FOR ANY BURNS GREATER THAN 1 ST DEGREE AND CALL THE OFFCIE AS SOON AS THE CLIENT IS SAFE AND HAS RECEIVED FIRST AID.
Safety Measures to prevent burns-
1. Limit exposure to the sun and use sunscreen
2. Test bath water before bathing client
3. Test hot water and coffee before serving to the client
4. Use care with space heaters and do not leave them near the client
5. Have an emergency evacuation plan for each clients home
6. Know oxygen safety – No smoking or open flames near oxygen source
7. Monitor client in kitchen to prevent cooking accidents
8. Keep chemicals away from elderly or confused clients