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Date: Mon 29-Sep-1997

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Date: Mon 29-Sep-1997

Author: SHANNO

Illustration: I

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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.

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