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Causes and Effects of BurnBurns are caused most commonly by

Carelessness with matches and cigarettes Scalds from hot liquids Defective cooking and electrical equipment Use of open fires that produce flame burns especially when flammable clothing is worn unsafe practices in the home in the use of flammable liquids for starting fires and for

cleaning and scrubbing wax off floors

immersion in overheated bath water use of chemicals as strong acids and strong detergent. In burns of large areas of the body surface, loss of plasma and changes in the balance of

fluids and chemicals in the body contribute to the develop0ment of shock.

Classification of Burns: Burns are usually classified by depth or degree.

FIRST AID:The objective of first aid for burns are to relieve pain, prevent contamination, and treat of

shock

FIRST DEGREE BURN

Results from overexposure to the sun, light contact with hot objects, and scalding fromhot water or steam.

The usual signs of first degree burn are redness or discoloration, mild swelling and pain. Healing occurs rapidly

First Aid: Medical treatment is usually not required. To relieve pain, apply cold water to the

affected area or submerge the burned area in cold water. A dry dressing may be applied if

desired.

SECOND DEGREE BURN

Are deeper than first degree burns and appear red or mottled, with blister formation. Are usually more painful than deeper ones, since in third degree burns, the nerve

endings in the skin are destroyed.

There is considerable swelling over a period of several days and , as a rule a wet surfacedue to loss of plasma through the damaged layers of the skin.

Results from very deep sunburn, contact with hot liquids, and flash burn from gasoline,kerosene, and other products.

First Aid: (Small)

Immerse the burned parts in cold water (not ice water) From 1 to 2 hours apply freshly ironed or laundered cloths that have been wrung out in

ice water, immediate cooling can reduce the burning effect of heat ion deeper layers of

the skin.

Never add salt to ice water, it lowers the temperature and may produce further injury Gently blunt the area with sterile gauze, a clean cloth, a towel or other household linen,

do not use absorbent cotton

Apply dry sterile gauze or clean cloth as protective dressing

Do not try to break blister or remove shreds of tissue. Do not use antiseptic preparation, ointment, spray or home remedy on severe burn.

(Extensive) require hospitalization of the victim.

THIRD DEGREE BURN

Involve deeper destruction A burn may look white or charred or at first may resemble a second degree burn. There is coagulation of the skin and destruction of of red blood cells. Can be caused by flame, ignited clothing, immersion in hot water, contact with hot objects,

or electricity. In both first and second degree burns, only a partial thickness of the skin is involved, and

new skin will grow if serious infection does not develop .

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In third degree burns, which involve complete loss of all layers of the skin and at timesinvolve the deeper structures, true skin healing cannot take place except at the margins

of the wound, and scar tissue replaces the rest of the area.

First aid:

Do not removed adhered particles of charred clothing. Cover the burned area with a sterile dressing or a freshly ironed or laundered sheet or

other household linen.

Aspirin or other home medication may be given for pain, but remember that burnvictims are anxious and fearful and need frequent reassurance more then they need

drugs for pain.

Do not apply ice water over an extensive burned area, because cold may intensify theshock reaction.

Do not add salt to the water and od not immerse the burned parts in ice water. Do not apply ointment, commercial burn preparation, grease, or other home remedy

because these may cause complications and interfere with treatment by the physician.

If the victims hands are involved, keep them higher than his heart. They may be heldin a vertical position or may be supported by a pillows if the victim is lying down.

Burned feet or legs should be elevated. The victim should not be allowed to walk. Persons with face burns should sit up or be propped up and should be under

continuous observation for breathing difficulty. If respiratory problems develop, keep

the airway open. It may be necessary to use back of the spoon or similar object to hold

the victims tongue down while his head is tilted back, but care must be taken not to

induce vomiting. If, possible chin should be brought upward and forward.

Transportation to the hospital should be arranged as quickly as possible.