Emergency burn treatment: rescuing a burn patient

By Cristiano Antonino On Feb 6, 2023

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“Be careful, that’s hot!”: We’ve all said it to our children at least once, and at least once they didn’t listen. Burns are just part of life

They are going to happen.

In fact, they are among the most common household injuries, especially in children.

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Burns have a variety of causes. Some of the most common are:

Scalding from hot liquids
Electrical Burns
Sun Exposure
Chemicals
Fires (including matches, candles, and lighters)

Knowing how to treat them and prevent them from becoming worse is an invaluable skill to possess.

Burns come in all shapes, sizes, and most importantly “degrees”

An understanding of the different types of burns will allow you to decide whether or not the wound can be cared for at home or if you should seek the assistance of an emergency center.

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Minor Burns

1st Degree Burns

These are the most minor of the minor burns.

They are easily treated.

Minor 1st degree burns, which only affect the outer layer of the skin, are identified by:

Redness
Minimal Swelling
Some Pain

These can usually be handled at home.

However, should the burn be minimal but cover a significant area of the body, you should seek emergency center services immediately.

2nd Degree Burns

Second degree burns are possible to treat at home, however if they are larger than 3” in diameter, consider them “major” and seek emergency help.

Second degree burns have the following characteristics:

Red, White, or Splotchy Skin
Blisters
Swelling
Pain

To Treat Minor Burns

Cool it Down. Run cool water over the burned area for 10 to 15 minutes. You may also apply a clean towel dampened with water.
Remove Items From Burned Area. Items such as rings or other tight items should be removed before swelling begins.
Avoid Breaking any Blisters. Should a blister break, clean the area immediately with mild soap. Cover with a bandage and an antibiotic ointment.
Apply Aloe Vera Lotion or Moisturizer. These gels assist with easing some of the pain associated with burns.
Pain Relievers. If necessary, pain relievers such as Advil, Aleve, or Tylenol can be effective.

DO NOT Apply Ice or Butter

Major Burns

Seek emergency assistance immediately for burns considered “major.”

While waiting for help to arrive you should take the following actions:

Protect From Further Damage. Keep the victim away from heat sources.
Do Not Remove Clothing Stuck to the Skin
Remove Rings, Belts and Other Tight Items. These items should be removed before swelling sets in.
Elevate the Burned Area. If possible, you should raise the burned area above the victim’s heart level.

DO NOT Immerse the burn in cold water. There is a risk of hypothermia from the sudden loss of body heat. Furthermore, the shock of the cold water could result in a drop in blood pressure.