Date: Mon 29-Sep-1997
Date: Mon 29-Sep-1997
Author: SHANNO
Illustration: I
Full Text:
sidebar for burn center story: The First Minutes After A Burn Are As Important
As Long-Term Care
What you do in the first few minutes after a burn occurs can make a difference
in its severity. Dr D'Aiuto, director of Bridgeport Hospital Burn Center,
recommends the following:
Stop the burning process. Remove the source of heat. If clothing catches fire,
"stop, drop and roll" to smother the flames.
Remove all burned clothing. If clothing sticks to the skin, cool the material
or cut or tear around the area to preserve good skin tissue.
Pour cool, but not cold, water over the burned area for three to five minutes
(30-40 minutes for chemical injury; see below). Never put ice or cold water on
a burn as it lowers body temperature and can negatively affect other vital
signs. Remove all jewelry, belts, tight clothing, etc, from burned areas and
around the victim's neck. Swelling of burned areas occurs immediately.
Do not apply ointments, creams or salves to wounds. They may cause infection
due to their oil base and can convert wounds to a deeper injury. Ointments
will be washed off by a physician, causing the patient additional discomfort.
Cover burns with a soft, clean, dry dressing, bandage or sheet.
Cover the victim to keep him/her warm.
Seek medical attention as soon as possible.
In cases of electrical burns, do not touch the person who is in contact with
electricity. Disconnect the source of power or call for assistance from the
power company, then begin first aid. Primary concern is airway, breathing,
circulation, and cervical spine immobilization. After addressing these, look
for other injuries.
For chemical burns, protect yourself from contact with the chemical. Read the
container label information or consult with a Poison Control Center before
administering first aid for specific chemical reactions.
If a dry chemical is involved, brush as much of it off as possible and remove
it from around the patient. Then flush the affected area for at least 20-30
minutes with water or until a medical professional tells you to stop. Remove
the patient's clothing, including shoes, before flushing affected area with
water. If the chemical is near or in the patient's eye, check for contact
lenses, which should be removed before irrigation of the eye. Do not flush
parts of body that are not contaminated.
