It is an injury to body tissue caused by heat, chemicals or radiation.

Types of Burns

  • Dry burn - burn caused by flames, lighted cigarettes and hot electric equipment
  • Scalds - Burns caused by wet heat such as steam, hot water, or fat produced scalds
  • Cold burn - burn due to contact with substances such as liquid oxygen & liquid nitrogen
  • Chemical burns - Caused by acid or alkalis chemicals
  • Electric burn - Eclectic current and lightning generate heat and can cause burns.
  • Radiation burn - Sun rays and light reflected from the bright surface.

Classification of burns- Classified according to the area and depth of the injury

Superficial or 1st Degree Burns

  • Involves only the outer layer of the skin (see Figures 37-38, below).
  • Sign and symptoms: Redness, swelling and tenderness.
Treatment :
    • Immerse in cold water.
    • Remove any rings watches and coverings from the injured site.
    • Dress with a clean dressing.

Fig. 37. A superficial burn.

Fig. 38. A superficial burn.

Intermediate or 2nd Degree Burns

  • involves the formation of a blister (see Figures 39-40, below)
  • Sign and symptoms: Swollen and red. It can be infected
First Aid Measures:
    • Lay the causality down and check ABC
    • Protect the burn area forms contact.
    • Remove any ring watch etc.
    • Don not removes anything that is sticking to a burn.
    • Cover the area with a sterile dressing.
    • Do not apply any ointment or lotion.
    • Do not break blisters.

Fig. 39. Partial thickness burn.

Fig. 40. Partial thickness burn.

Deep or 3rd Degree Burns

  • Involves all layers of the skin (see Figures 41 & 42, below).
  • Sign and symptoms: The skin appears pale, waxy or charred.
  • Relatively pain-free b/s damaged nerves.
  • Deep burn always requires medical attention.

Fig.41. Full-thickness burns.

Fig. 42. Full-thickness burns.

First Aid Measures

  • Lay the causality down and checks ABC.
  • Protect the burn area forms contact.
  • Remove any ring watch etc.
  • Don not removes anything that is sticking to a burn.
  • Cover the area with a sterile dressing.
  • Do not apply any ointment/ lotion.
  • Do not break blisters.
  • Rinse irrigate chemical burn with clean water.

Bandages

  • Bandages are strips of woven material used to hold a wound dressing or splint in place.
  • It helps to immobilise, support and protect an injured part of the body.

Types of Bandages

  • Elastic bandage.
  • Gauze bandages.
  • Triangular bandages (for the scalp, foot or any large areas and for sling).
  • Adhesive strip bandages (for small wounds following through cleaning).

General Principles of Application of Bandages

  • A bandage should be not too loose or too tight.
  • Ensure that circulation is not interfered.
  • Leave the victim fingertips and toes exposed.
  • Watch for swelling, change of color and coldness of the tips of fingers or toes indicating interference with circulation.
  • Loosen bandages immediately if the victim complains of numbness or tingling sensation.

Methods of Applying Bandages

Arm Sling

  • Prepare a triangular bandage.
  • Place one end of the bandage over the injured shoulder and let the other end hang down in front of the chest parallel to the side of the body.
  • Carry the point behind the elbow of the injured arm.
  • Carry the second end of the bondage up over the shoulder and the two ends together of the side of the neck not over the spine.
  • Bring the point of the sling and tie it.
  • Make sure the ends of the fingers extend just beyond the base so that you can observe whether or not the circulation is cut off.
  • In all cases of forearm or hand injury adjust the sling so that the hand is elevated 10 or 12 cm a have the level of the elbow.
Last modified: Sunday, 13 November 2016, 10:31 AM