2. Burns
• Burns occur in every age group and in a
variety of settings.
• Skin death and injury occur as heat
exceeds the body’s ability to disperse it.
– Damage depends on:
• Intensity of heat
• Duration of contact
• Thickness of skin
5. Burn Classifications
• Electrical burns
– Caused by contact with electric current
– Injury depends on:
• Type of current
• Voltage
• Area exposed
• Duration of contact
9. Evaluating a Thermal Burn
• Determine which parts of the body are
burned.
– Burns on the face, hands, feet, and genitals
are the most severe.
– Circumferential burns are more severe than
noncircumferential burns.
10. Evaluating a Thermal Burn
• Determine respiratory involvement.
– Superheated air can be absorbed by the
upper respiratory tract.
– Swelling occurs in 2 to 24 hours.
• Restricts or shuts off airway
11. Evaluating a Thermal Burn
• Determine:
– Whether other injuries exist
– Preexisting medical problems
– If the person is older than 55 years
– If person is younger than 5 years
15. Small Second-Degree
(Partial Thickness) Burns
• What to look for:
– Blisters
– Swelling
– Weeping of fluids
– Severe pain
• What to do:
– Follow the first
three steps for first
degree burns.
– Apply antibacterial
ointment.
– Cover with a loose,
dry, nonstick,
sterile dressing.
16. Large Second-Degree
(Partial Thickness) Burns
• What to do
– Follow the first three steps for first-degree
burns.
– Apply cold.
• Monitor for hypothermia.
– Call 9-1-1.
17. Third-Degree
(Full Thickness) Burns
• What to look for
– Dry, leathery, gray colored, or charred skin.
• What to do
– Cover burn with a dry, nonstick sterile
dressing.
– Call 9-1-1.
18. Later Care for Thermal Burns
• Follow physician’s recommendations.
• Suggestions:
– Wash hands before changing dressing.
– Leave unbroken blisters intact.
– Change dressings daily.
– Watch for signs of infection.
– Elevate burn for first 24 hours.
– Give pain medication, if necessary.
19. Scald Burns
• The result of contact with hot liquids
– Immersion burns: area of the body is fully
immersed in a hot liquid.
– Spill burns: liquid spills, drops, or is thrown on
a person.
21. Care for Sunburns
• Apply cool compress for up to 45 minutes.
• Take cool showers and baths.
• Do not use benzocaine.
• Use ibuprofen to reduce pain and
inflammation.
• Drink a lot of water.
• Use aloe vera or another body lotion.
22. Sunburn Aftercare
• Apply antibiotic ointment to a second-
degree sunburn.
• If blisters break, gently wash twice daily.
• Seek medical care if eyes are affected or
if infection occurs.
23. Chemical Burns
• Result of an acid or an alkali substance
touching the skin
• Chemicals burn as long as they are in
contact with skin.
• Check the safety data sheet, if available.
26. Chemical Burns
• What to do (cont’d)
– For a chemical in an eye
• Tip head so affected eye is below nose.
• Wash eye with warm water from nose out to side
of face for at least 20 minutes.
28. Contact With Outdoor
Power Line
• Power must be turned off.
• A tingling sensation signals that you are on
energized ground.
– Raise one foot off ground, turn around, and
hop to safe area.
• Do not attempt to move any wires.
30. Electrical Burns
• What to look for
– Burn wound, which might appear small
– Entrance and exit wounds
– Multiple burns
– Absent breathing/pulse
31. Electrical Burns
• What to do
– Check breathing.
– Call 9-1-1.
– Check for broken bones.
– Treat the person for shock.
– Cover wounds with sterile dressings.
