Is it possible to bandage the burnt surface of the skin. Anti-burn dressings: types and features
Not a single person is immune from burns. Injury can be obtained not only in hazardous production, but also in one's own kitchen, for example, by pouring boiling water over it. According to sociological surveys, the vast majority of citizens do not know how to provide first aid to a person who has burned his arm, legs or other part of the body. And how to apply bandages for burns is known to units. This is very sad, because timely assistance to the victim can save his health.
Classification
To provide first aid to a person, it is very important to know the types of burns, since treatment will differ for various injuries. Damage is classified according to the degree of damage:
Before providing first aid for burns, the degree of tissue damage should be assessed. In case of injuries of any severity, assistance is carried out in the same way, only if with degrees I and II you can manage on your own, then with degrees III and IV, you cannot cope without qualified doctors. The victim needs to be called immediately ambulance».
Dressing Rules
If possible, in case of injury, you should contact the nearest first-aid post. There, quickly and professionally, and most importantly, sterile, they will apply a bandage. But getting qualified help is not always possible, because you can get injured on a picnic.
Therefore, it would be nice to know the basic rules for applying bandages:
- The most important rule is sterility. If you don’t have a bandage in your first-aid kit, then you can use a rag. The main thing is that the tissue is clean, otherwise there is a risk of infection in the wound. Ideally, when recovering to nature or a summer cottage, you should put a sterile bandage in your first aid kit. It will always come in handy and will not take up much space;
- Bandages can not be applied for all burns. Before starting manipulations, it is important to assess the degree of damage. If muscle tissue is visible in the victim, then the bandage that you apply may stick to the wound, it will be very painful to tear it off, and the risk of infection is high. It is recommended to apply a bandage when the skin turns red, blisters appear, that is, with injuries of I and II degrees. For more severe injuries, you need to see a doctor;
- It is better to bandage a sore spot after you anoint the affected area with a special preparation containing an antibiotic. Without the use of ointment, the effect of the dressing will be minimal.
How to apply a bandage: step by step instructions
Now let's discuss the dressing instructions:
- First of all, you should thoroughly wash your hands, prepare a bandage. If not, then find an alternative. In the case when there is no pure matter in stock, do not rush to bandage the patient. Dirty tissue can only make things worse, if an infection enters the burnt area, infection will occur. In this case, the treatment will be delayed for a long time. In medicine, cases are known when the imposition of a non-sterile bandage led to amputation;
- Before starting bandaging, you should once again carefully examine the burned area. You must understand that a burn is a fairly serious injury and if it is not properly treated, you can earn a lot of problems. Therefore, if you see that the damage is deep, do not self-medicate, it is better to contact a specialist;
- Starting to apply a bandage, you should be careful, do not apply force. Otherwise, the victim will experience severe pain.
Bandaging yourself, for example, your hand is quite problematic, but quite real. Of course, it will take much more time for manipulation, but it will be possible to alleviate your condition a little.
How often to change bandages?
So, the bandage is applied to the burned area, everything is fine, but when to change the bandage? Change times may vary. If you want to play by the rules, then check the bandage every 24 hours.
Inspect the injured area and change the bandage after 48 hours, during which time the bandage will have time to get wet. After removing tissue from the wound, it is necessary to assess the depth of the lesion. If necessary, drugs are used, for example, " Flamazine».
It is necessary to bandage the affected area 1 time in 3-5 days, while relying on the state of the burn. If you decide to change the bandage, but you feel that it has dried up, then take your time, do not tear off the bandage from the skin, otherwise there is a risk of damage.
If you felt an unpleasant smell from the bandage, it began to get wet, and the place under it began to hurt and cause discomfort, then you should urgently replace the bandage.
If the wound does not heal for more than 14 days, while the lesion looks bad, causes pain, then you should consult a doctor. Any delay in this case is dangerous to health.
As you can see, helping with burns and bandaging the burnt place is not so difficult. The main thing is to follow simple rules. If you are not confident in your abilities or the area of damage is too large, then be sure to consult a doctor so as not to harm. Take care of yourself and don't get sick. Good luck!
Who has had accidents with boiling water. But few people know how to properly provide first aid in case of burns. Let's take a closer look at the degree of manifestation of a burn, as well as the main actions to be taken if this situation occurs.
What should be done in case of burns with boiling water, hot oil, steam, iron and other hot objects for children and adults?
What should I do if less than 3 hours have passed since the burn?
If more than three hours have not passed since the onset of the burn, then in this case it is necessary to keep this area under cold water for twenty minutes.
Based on their own false experience, many victims keep the affected area under water for only a couple of minutes or even seconds. In other cases, the burn is moistened with saliva and brought to the lips. These actions can only cool the surface of the burn, and do not affect the further development of the affected area.
At first glance, keeping the burn site under water for fifteen minutes seems like a stupid and pointless undertaking, moreover, if an hour has passed since the formation of the burnt place, and the place has already managed to cool down. During several scientific experiments, it turned out that this action greatly facilitates the further healing of the burn.
During the experiments, it turned out that during the cooling of the burn under running water, for a given period of time, not only complete cooling of the internal tissues occurs, which otherwise will continue to collapse, but there are also several important positive points. Cooling is able to stabilize the walls of blood vessels and reduces the degree of inflammatory processes. As a result, the swelling of the site of the lesion is significantly reduced, the intensity of tissue destruction is also reduced, the degree of pain is reduced, wound healing is accelerated, and the likelihood of a deep scar at the site of the burn is reduced.
What should be done in case of a burn with boiling water, steam, hot oil, iron, if 3 hours have not passed since the burn?
So, let's look at the main actions that need to be taken if no more than three hours have passed since the formation of the burn.
1 First you need to adjust the temperature of running water. This should be room temperature (not higher than 35 degrees Celsius, but not less than 5). Then lower the burnt area under water and hold for twenty minutes. After conducting several scientific experiments, scientists came to the conclusion that fifteen degrees is considered ideal.
2 If you do not have the opportunity to keep the burnt area under water, then in this case, draw water into a container and immerse the burnt area there. In an extreme situation, you can soak a piece of cloth in water and make some kind of compresses, but keep in mind that in this way the matter will have to be constantly moistened.
3 If the victim complains of severe chills during the cooling twenty minutes, then cover him with a blanket. At the end of the time, it is no longer recommended to apply compresses to the burned area. All that is required is to cover the area with a bandage.
4 After cooling down, try to keep the burn above heart level as much as possible. So, for example, at night, a burned hand can be put on several pillows. This action must be completed within the next two days. At first glance, the procedure may seem silly, but it will significantly reduce swelling, which will further speed up recovery time.
A few additional tips:
1 If the burn occurred through the clothing, and it still covers this place, then carefully remove it. Carefully inspect the material, there may be a heated substance left on it, which can burn other parts of the body while you take off your clothes. If the degree of the burn is severe enough, and the tissue is stuck to the skin, then in no case try to remove it yourself. Leave everything as it is and consult a doctor immediately.
2 If a child is burned, and the burn area has spread to the face, neck, back, stomach or any other parts of the body, then the child should not be completely placed under cold water. Try to cool only the burnt areas of the body. The rest of the body must be kept warm, preferably under a blanket. Children cool down very quickly and can immediately go into a state of hypothermia. This condition is very dangerous for them.
3 It is forbidden to put ice on the burned area of the skin, as it contributes to instant vasoconstriction, and this in turn helps to reduce blood flow and leads to the intensity of tissue destruction.
4 If you burned your hand or finger, and there is jewelry in this area, remove it immediately, as the burn contributes to swelling, and then it will be impossible to remove the jewelry. The only option is to cut it.
As necessary, you should definitely consult a doctor and do not hesitate with your plans.
Basically, the victims manage to correctly assess the degree of damage and seek medical help in a timely manner.
If you are not sure about the effectiveness of home burn treatment, if these home burn treatments do not help, you should seek help from a doctor.
In what cases is urgent professional medical care required for a burn?
Urgent medical care of a doctor in case of burns with boiling water, hot oil, steam, iron or other hot objects is needed in such cases:
1 If the burn area is larger than the victim's palm. It does not matter how the burn looks and the degree of intensity.
2 If the burn, regardless of its size and location, resembles a third-degree burn in appearance. In this case, the skin is subject to complete destruction, has a dark or whitened color of the wound. Burns of this degree can practically not cause pain, but they are considered the most dangerous.
3 If you have burned your genitals, joints (hands, knees, elbows or fingers). In this case, the burn has a second degree of intensity, at which the skin becomes covered with transparent blisters with liquid inside and begins to flake off a little. Until you get to the doctor, it is forbidden to touch the affected areas, open these blisters or peel off the skin.
4 In case of a large burn, which, for example, covers the entire chest, leg, arm or abdomen.
5 When a burn occurs as a result of an electric shock (in fact, tissue damage can be much larger and more intense than it might seem at first glance).
6 If a wound has formed at the site of tissue damage, regardless of its depth, and at the same time you have not been vaccinated against tetanus for ten years.
Urgent medical care is also required for the following indicators:
1 The victim suddenly began to feel unwell. There is severe weakness, increased breathing, the person loses consciousness.
2 If a pregnant woman has received a burn starting from the fourth month of pregnancy, as well as a person whose age is over sixty years old, or a child under five years old, or the victim suffers from reduced immunity.
Before the ambulance arrives, or you yourself get to the hospital, try to cover the burn area with a special bandage. Find out how to do this below.
How to properly cover the burn area with a bandage?
If you decide to do home treatment, or are waiting for the first chance you get to go to the doctor, then your next step after cooling the tissues is to prevent the burn from drying out.
This procedure will help the regeneration of the wound, which occurs at a given level of humidity.
To prevent the surface of the wound from drying out, it is necessary to apply a bandage correctly, this can be done by following the suggested recommendations:
1 If you do not have a special non-stick dressing on hand that is treated with special substances to prevent sticking, then you can use a few household items, such as a plastic bag or even cling film. Of course, it must be pure material.
2 Try to ensure that the film is located only on the burn site and does not affect areas of healthy skin, as you risk transferring the burn site and disrupting blood circulation. This is especially true for burns on the arm, leg or finger. It is best to stick the film to healthy skin with an adhesive plaster. Also, the film can be fixed with a non-tight gauze bandage.
Only after that you can go to the pharmacy for all the necessary dressings and medicines, or, if necessary, consult a doctor.
What are special burn dressings?
Today, in pharmacies, you can pick up any dressings designed specifically for burns. These dressings have a special composition that promotes rapid healing, and also reduces the chances of a scar or scar.
If such a bandage was not found in the pharmacy, then you can buy gauze soaked in special
substances that also prevent it from sticking to the wound.
If a bandage has already been applied before, or the burn was simply covered with cellophane, then carefully remove it. Wash the burn area with water and diluted soapy water. Then you can apply a new bandage bought at the pharmacy. Remember that the bandage should not fit snugly to the body, but be a little loose.
The next dressing change should be made the next day, and then it needs to be changed every two days. Most of the time there is no need to change them.
Do not lubricate the burn with various healing ointments!
It is strictly forbidden to lubricate the burn site with various creams, oils such as castor, sea buckthorn, sunflower or olive, and other means that you might hear as the best remedy for quick healing of burns.
Why should you not lubricate a burn from steam, hot oil, boiling water, an iron or other hot object?
Scientists conducted several experiments, as a result of which it turned out that the victims, who applied various improvised means for speedy recovery and wound healing, only aggravated the healing process. It also increases the risk of scar formation.
Is it possible to use creams and antibiotics as a single complex treatment?
To date, scientists have managed to break the stereotype that when using various healing ointments and creams with antibiotics, the healing process is significantly accelerated and you can get back on your feet in the near future. All these statements are far from the truth. As practice shows, such treatment only complicates the treatment process and increases the chance of scarring, scars and other burn marks.
Why is it impossible to punch, rip off blisters from a burn?
As mentioned earlier, in no case do not pierce or rip off blisters, the medical name for such blisters is conflicts. Such conflicts best protect the burn site from bacteria and microbial contamination. They will go away on their own in a few days. Sometimes this process can take up to two weeks. It all depends on the depth of the burn.
What to do if the burn from steam, boiling water, hot oil, iron or other hot object hurts a lot?
If the burn site in a child or adult hurts unbearably, then painkillers can be taken as needed. They can be advised to a person in a pharmacy, but it is better to consult a doctor about the choice of an anesthetic for a burn.
Do not forget about washing the affected area on the second day. This procedure is carried out using water and soap. Then re-examine the burn.
What should be done on the second day after getting a burn?
The bandage should be removed very carefully, then the burned area of \u200b\u200bthe skin is washed only with warm water and a diluted soap solution. After rinsing, gently pat the area dry with a clean towel until it has absorbed all the water. Instead of a towel, you can also use gauze.
Washing the area of the burn on the second day with soap and changing the dressing
Examine the burn area and find out what you see:
1 If the skin looks whole, the color is red, without the presence of dark spots, blisters or wounds, then you have a first-degree burn.
2 If blisters appeared at the site of the burn and the skin began to peel off in layers, then the burn has a second degree.
3 If you see black, brown spots or deep wounds in front of you, then this indicates a third degree burn.
Make sure that the condition of the victim has not changed for the worse, if the opposite, you should immediately seek medical help. So, for example, new blisters could appear in a day, the wound could become deeper, or the burn area increased in size - do not hesitate.
If you decide to go through the entire course of treatment yourself, apply the bandage again.
Bandage change on the third and subsequent days after the burn, how to change the bandage correctly?
In the following days, this bandage should be changed every two days, but the burn itself should not be treated with anything.
As you change the bandage, do not forget to rinse the area with a special solution. You can also use a weak area disinfectant, which is sold in pharmacies. This will be quite enough for the rapid healing of the wound.
Do not treat the burnt area with alcohol or iodine, as well as other strong agents in the fight against microbes.
What to do if the burn site becomes inflamed, an infection occurs?
If an infection has become noticeable at the site of the burn, then you should definitely consult a doctor. The following factors indicate the development of bacteria:
1 The wound at the site of the burn began to become covered with abscesses;
2 The fluid in the blisters has become cloudy with a dark tint;
3 The degree of pain has doubled. The edges of the wound became inflamed, new swellings appeared, the wound site began to rise in temperature;
4 The patient has an increase in body temperature.
What to do if the burn does not come off after two weeks?
If a burn from steam, boiling water, hot oil or an iron, or other hot objects does not heal within a few weeks, then you should definitely seek help from a doctor. It is worth remembering the fact that the healing time of a burn depends on the degree and depth of the lesion.
If we are talking about first-degree burns, then depending on the size of the injury, recovery can last from one, two days, up to two weeks.
Usually pain sensations of this degree quickly resemble and do not disturb the victim. The skin begins to regenerate. After a couple of weeks, peeling may occur on the burn, which means that the recovery is coming to an end and the tissues have almost recovered.
If we are talking about burns of degree two and three, then everything here depends on the area of the burn, where blisters form. Complete resorption of blisters and exfoliation of dead skin should also be considered. Minor burns go away within one to two weeks.
Large burns may take longer to heal.
Unlike mild burns, degrees two and three involve scarring or scarring. But as the results of studies show, it is difficult to answer the question: in which cases the likelihood of a scar is high, and in which it is not. It all depends on the skin.
It can be assumed whether a person is disposed to the formation of scars or not. To do this, remember if you had previously received injuries, cuts or burns, after which a rough scar remained. If yes, then you are prone to scarring. And it is highly likely that this damage or damage in the future will entail such consequences.
If you are afraid of the appearance of a scar, and two weeks have already passed since the onset of the burn, then seek the advice of a cosmetologist. It will help you deal with this problem. Your doctor will prescribe a special treatment for you to promote healing and reduce the likelihood of scarring.
In addition, you can consult on the removal of old scars and other things.
FAQ:
What needs to be done for complete recovery of the burn?
Use additional funds to fully restore the epidermis after a burn. This problem is easier to solve at the initial stage of education.
At the site of the burn, new skin is formed, which is very delicate in structure and can be subjected to mechanical stress. To protect the skin from damage, experts advise using various skin emollient creams that moisturize it. This cream will make the skin more moist and elastic. Thus, you will get rid of unnecessary peeling or the formation of small cracks.
In principle, today you can easily find a lot of skin care products for burns.
Is it possible to take solar procedures, sunbathe, after a recent thermal burn?
The answer to the question of whether it is possible to sunbathe after receiving a thermal burn is versatile and depends not only on the degree of damage to the skin tissues, but also on the place where the thermal burn occurred. If the area of the thermal burn does not extend to that part of the body that you cover with clothes, then it is not recommended to expose this area of skin to a tan for the next six to twelve months. In addition, it is necessary to take constant care of this area that has suffered from a thermal burn, apply special sunscreens to the site of the thermal burn itself, as well as to neighboring undamaged areas. This procedure will help reduce the likelihood of age spots, prevent a possible difference between the color of healthy skin, as well as the color of the skin at the site of the burn.
If you have any concerns about the recovery period after a burn, then you should definitely contact your doctor, do not forget to visit a dermatologist. Let the doctor give you a full consultation regarding the care of the burnt skin area.
How to mask an existing burn scar?
If, nevertheless, you have a scar, then, in principle, it can be easily hidden at home, without using the services of a special doctor.
What is a burn scar concealer?
One of the most common ways is to apply a special mask, which in its color resembles the natural color of the skin and perfectly masks the resulting defect. Such a mask can last from eight to sixteen hours and is not afraid of water.
How to properly apply a burn scar concealer?
Usually, in order to hide the scar, they resort to the use of special creams, and powders also come to the rescue. To begin with, a thin layer of cream is applied to the scar, and powder is already applied on top of it.
Foreign companies have become manufacturers of camouflage creams. Their products can be easily found on the Internet or bought in large supermarkets.
To begin with, it is recommended to purchase a small batch of this product. Do a little compatibility test. It may be that this tool is absolutely not suitable for you. Otherwise, you can safely order a cosmetic product in large volumes.
In any home first aid kit there is a bandage, cotton wool and adhesive plaster - first aid for wounds and abrasions. We all know that it is better for children to bandage any damage to the skin so that microbes do not penetrate into the wound. But is it necessary to bandage burns? It would seem that burns in children are as common a problem as broken knees, scratches and cuts. And yet, every time they get burned, the parents go into a stupor. It seems that exposure to a hot object or boiling water on the skin is also tissue damage, but there is no blood, there is no wound, so is it necessary to bandage the burnt surface? Will this protect the baby's skin or, on the contrary, slow down the process of tissue repair after a burn? There are different opinions and methods.
Do burns need to be bandaged?
Burns that we treat at home do not need to be bandaged. Without seeking medical help, you can leave small burns of the 1st and 2nd degree. With a burn of the 1st degree, the skin only turns red and swells, and with a 2nd degree it is covered with blisters. In these cases, there is no violation of the integrity of the skin (there is no wound as such), but there is swelling and redness. Tissue fluid in the first days after the burn actively sweats through the skin. It is important that it does not accumulate on the bandage, wetting the gauze, and does not create an excellent breeding ground for bacteria.
Remember, 1st and 2nd degree burns do not need to be bandaged.
They are treated with an open method, that is, they gradually dry out and heal under the influence of air. Some pharmaceutical preparations help to speed up regeneration: Panthenol, Levomekol, sea buckthorn oil, oil solutions of vitamins A and E. As a first aid and in the first 6 hours after a shallow burn, you can treat the skin with a napkin with Lyoxazine or apply a gel.
There is a closed method of treating a burn - under a bandage. It is used exclusively in a hospital, when there is a medical staff nearby who can change the bandage under sterile conditions every 3-4 hours. This method treats deep burns (3rd and 4th degrees), in which the integrity of the skin is broken, and there is a constant pain syndrome. The dressings are thickly moistened with an ointment with an antiseptic and a wound healing component. This softens the surface and relieves pain. The treatment of burns by this method is laborious, and it is not always possible to prevent tissue infection.
In what cases is it necessary to bandage burns?
Many people ask if it is necessary to bandage burns at night, because at night the child makes a lot of involuntary movements and can hurt himself or damage the bladder. If the burn is really painful, then in the first days it can be bandaged. In this case, the bandage is used sterile, the layers are laid very loosely so that oxygen circulates between them. After a night spent with such a bandage, the burn must be unbandaged.
If you are not sure that the burn is shallow and are afraid to treat it at home on your own, then after first aid measures (cooling the skin and taking painkillers), the burn is loosely bandaged with a sterile bandage. After that, the child should be taken to the nearest emergency room. Whether it is necessary to bandage burns in this case, or they can be treated in an open way, let the doctor decide.
Do I need to bandage burns if I accidentally damaged the bladder? Yes, in this case it is better to apply a protective sterile bandage for 2-3 days. The thin skin that covers the top of the bladder acts as a protection. If suddenly it is damaged or removed, a wound is formed that can be infected. We treat the damaged edge of the bladder (only the edge!) with an antiseptic (brilliant green, iodine, half-alcohol solution), apply a dry gauze bandage for 2-3 days. After that, we treat the burn in an open way.
Burns - is tissue damage caused by heat, chemicals, electricity, or radiation. Burns are accompanied by a pronounced pain syndrome - people with extensive burn surfaces and deep burns develop shock phenomena.
Four degrees of burns
Depending on the depth of damage to the skin and tissues, four degrees of burns are distinguished (Fig. 1): mild (I), moderate (II), severe (III) and extremely severe (IV).
For burns of the 1st degree (redness and slight swelling of the skin), the burned area should be moistened with a weak solution of potassium permanganate, alcohol.
For burns of the II degree (the skin is covered with bubbles with a clear liquid), a sterile bandage moistened with a solution of potassium permanganate, alcohol should be applied to the burn. It is impossible to pierce the bubbles and remove parts of clothing adhering to the burn site.
Rice. 1. Burns of the hand: 1 - I and II degrees; 2 - II and III degree; 3 - deep burn III and IV degree
In case of burns of III and IV degrees (necrosis of the skin and underlying tissues), a sterile bandage should be applied to the burn and all measures should be taken to deliver the victim to a medical facility.
The course and severity of burns, as well as the recovery time, depend on the origin of the burn and its degree, the area of the burnt surface, the characteristics of first aid to the victim, and many other circumstances. Burns caused by flames are the most severe, since the flame temperature is several orders of magnitude higher than the boiling point of liquids.
Thermal burns
At thermal burn first of all, it is necessary to quickly remove the victim from the fire zone. At the same time, if a person’s clothes caught fire, you must immediately remove them or throw on a blanket, coat, bag, etc., thereby stopping the access of air to the fire.
After the flame is knocked down from the victim, sterile gauze or simply clean dressings from improvised material should be applied to the burn wounds. A victim with severe burns should be wrapped in a clean sheet or cloth, without undressing him, covered warmer, given warm tea and rest until the doctor arrives. The burnt face must be covered with sterile gauze. For eye burns, cold lotions should be made from a 3% solution of boric acid (half a teaspoon of acid in a glass of water). The burn surface should not be lubricated with various fats. This can cause even more harm to the victim, since dressings with any fats, ointments, oils only contaminate the burn surface and contribute to wound suppuration.
Chemical burns
Chemical burns arise as a result of exposure to the skin and mucous membranes of concentrated inorganic and organic acids, alkalis, phosphorus, kerosene, turpentine, ethyl alcohol, as well as some plants.
In the event of a chemical burn, first of all, it is necessary to quickly remove or cut clothing soaked with a chemical compound. Chemicals that have come into contact with the skin should be washed off with plenty of tap water until the specific odor of the substance disappears, thereby preventing its effects on tissues and the body.
Do not wash off chemical compounds that ignite or explode on contact with water. In no case should you treat the affected skin with swabs or napkins moistened with water, since in this case the chemical compounds are rubbed into the skin even more.
A dressing with a neutralizing or disinfecting agent or a clean, dry dressing is applied to the damaged areas of the skin. Ointment (vaseline, fat, oil) dressings only accelerate the penetration into the body through the skin of many fat-soluble chemicals (for example, phosphorus). After applying the bandage, you need to try to eliminate or reduce the pain, for which you give the victim an anesthetic inside.
Acid burns are usually very deep. A dry scab forms at the site of the burn. If acid comes into contact with the skin, rinse the affected areas with plenty of water under running water, then neutralize the acid and apply a dry bandage. If the skin is damaged by phosphorus and its compounds, the skin is treated with a 5% solution of copper sulfate and then with a 5-10% solution of baking soda. First aid for burns with alkalis is the same as for burns with acids, with the only difference being that alkalis are neutralized with a 2% solution of boric acid, solutions of citric acid, table vinegar.
In case of contact with acid or its vapors in the eyes or in the oral cavity, it is necessary to rinse the eyes or rinse the mouth with a 5% solution of baking soda, and if caustic alkalis get into contact with a 2% solution of boric acid.
electrical burns
electrical burns arise from the action of an electric current, the contact of which with tissues, primarily with the skin, leads to the transition of electrical energy into heat, resulting in coagulation (coagulation) and destruction of tissues.
Local tissue damage during an electrical burn manifests itself in the form of so-called current signs (marks). They are observed in more than 60% of the victims. The higher the voltage, the worse the burns. Current above 1000 V can cause an electrical burn throughout the limb, on the flexion surfaces. This is due to the occurrence of an arc discharge between two contacting surfaces of the body during convulsive muscle contraction. Deep electrical burns occur when struck by a current of 380 V and above. In electrical trauma, there are also thermal burns from exposure to a voltaic arc flame or ignited clothing, sometimes they are combined with true burns.
According to the depth of the lesion, electrical burns, like thermal burns, are divided into four degrees.
The appearance of an electrical burn is determined by its location and depth. Due to convulsive muscle contraction, gross immobility of the joints (contracture) is observed, scars are formed more coarse than with a thermal burn. After healing of electrical burns, in addition to contractures and rough scars, neurinomas (nodular formations on the affected nerves) and long-term non-healing ulcers develop. If the electric burn was in the head area, then baldness develops.
First aid consists in releasing the victim from the action of electric current, if necessary, carrying out resuscitation measures. Aseptic dressings are applied to the burn areas. After providing first aid, all victims of electric current should be sent to a medical institution for observation and treatment.
Radiation burns
Radiation burns- lesions resulting from local exposure to the skin of ionizing radiation.
The nature of radiation injury depends on the dose of ionizing radiation, the features of spatial and temporal distribution, as well as on the general condition of the body during the period of exposure. High-energy X-ray and gamma radiation, neutrons, which have a high penetrating power, affect not only the skin, but also the deeper tissues. Low-energy beta particles penetrate to a shallow depth, causing lesions within the thickness of the skin.
As a result of skin irradiation, its cells are damaged with the formation of toxic products of tissue decay.
Radiation burns can be the result of local overexposure of tissues during radiation therapy, accidents of nuclear reactors, contact with the skin of radioactive isotopes. In the conditions of the use of nuclear weapons, with the fallout of radioactive fallout, the occurrence of radiation sickness on unprotected skin is possible. With simultaneous general gamma-neutron irradiation, the occurrence of combined lesions is possible. In such cases, burns will develop against the background of radiation sickness.
Periods of radiation burn
There are four periods of radiation burn.
First- early radiation reaction - detected after a few hours or days from exposure and is characterized by the appearance of erythema (redness).
Erythema gradually subsides, and manifests itself second period - hidden - during which no manifestations of a radiation burn are observed. The duration of this period is from several hours to several weeks, the shorter, the more severe the lesion.
In the third period - acute inflammation, the appearance of blisters, radiation ulcers is possible. This period is long - several weeks or even months.
The fourth period is recovery.
Degrees of radiation burns
There are three degrees of radiation burns.
First degree radiation burns(lungs) occur at a radiation dose of 800-1200 rad. There is usually no early reaction, the latent period is more than 2 weeks. In the third period, there is a slight swelling, erythema, burning and itching in the affected area. After 2 weeks, these phenomena subside. At the site of the lesion, hair loss, peeling and brown pigmentation are noted.
Radiation burns of the second degree(moderate) occur at a radiation dose of 1200-2000 rad. An early reaction is manifested in the form of mild transient erythema. Sometimes weakness, headache, nausea develop. The latent period lasts about 2 weeks. During the period of acute inflammation, severe erythema and edema appear, affecting not only the skin, but also the underlying tissues. In place of the former erythema, small blisters filled with a clear liquid appear, which gradually merge into large ones. When the blisters open, a bright red erosive surface is exposed. During this period, the temperature may rise, pain in the affected area increases. The recovery period lasts 4-6 weeks or more. Erosions and ulcerations are epithalized, the skin of these areas becomes thinner and pigmented, thickens, an expanded vascular network appears.
Radiation burns of the third degree(severe) occur when exposed to a dose of more than 2000 rad. An early reaction develops rapidly in the form of edema and painful erythema, which lasts up to 2 days. Latent period up to 3-6 days. In the third period, edema develops, sensitivity decreases. There are petechial hemorrhages and foci of necrosis of the skin of purple-brown or black color. At high doses of radiation, not only the skin, but also subcutaneous tissue, muscles and even bones die, and vein thrombosis occurs. Rejection of dead tissue is very slow. Formed ulcers often recur. Patients have fever, high leukocytosis. Occurs with severe pain. The recovery period is long - many months. In places of healed scars, unstable rough scars are formed, ulcers often form on them, prone to degeneration into cancerous ones.
With superficial radiation burns that are not accompanied by a general reaction of the body, only local treatment is indicated. Large bubbles open. Bandages with antiseptics, antibiotics and wet-drying bandages are applied to the affected surface. Under the bandages, small blisters dry up, in their place a scab forms.
For more severe radiation burns, complex, including surgical, treatment is carried out in a hospital, including restorative therapy, blood transfusion and blood substitutes.
The skin consists of the following layers:
- epidermis ( outer part of the skin);
- dermis ( connective tissue of the skin);
- hypodermis ( subcutaneous tissue).
Epidermis
This layer is superficial, providing the body with reliable protection from pathogenic environmental factors. Also, the epidermis is multi-layered, each layer of which differs in its structure. These layers provide continuous renewal of the skin.The epidermis consists of the following layers:
- basal layer ( provides the process of reproduction of skin cells);
- spiny layer ( provides mechanical protection against damage);
- granular layer ( protects underlying layers from water penetration);
- shiny layer ( participates in the process of keratinization of cells);
- stratum corneum ( Protects the skin from invasion of pathogenic microorganisms).
Dermis
This layer consists of connective tissue and is located between the epidermis and hypodermis. The dermis, due to the content of collagen and elastin fibers in it, gives the skin elasticity.The dermis is made up of the following layers:
- papillary layer ( includes loops of capillaries and nerve endings);
- mesh layer ( contains vessels, muscles, sweat and sebaceous glands, as well as hair follicles).
Hypodermis
This layer of skin is made up of subcutaneous fat. Adipose tissue accumulates and retains nutrients, due to which the energy function is performed. Also, the hypodermis serves as a reliable protection of internal organs from mechanical damage.With burns, the following damage to the layers of the skin occurs:
- superficial or complete lesion of the epidermis ( first and second degree);
- superficial or complete lesion of the dermis ( third A and third B degrees);
- damage to all three layers of the skin ( fourth degree).
It should also be noted that with burn lesions, the protective function of the skin is significantly reduced, which can lead to the penetration of microbes and the development of an infectious-inflammatory process.
The circulatory system of the skin is very well developed. The vessels, passing through the subcutaneous fat, reach the dermis, forming a deep cutaneous vascular network at the border. From this network, blood and lymphatic vessels extend upward into the dermis, nourishing the nerve endings, sweat and sebaceous glands, and hair follicles. Between the papillary and reticular layers, a second superficial cutaneous vascular network is formed.
Burns cause disruption of microcirculation, which can lead to dehydration of the body due to the massive movement of fluid from the intravascular space to the extravascular space. Also, due to tissue damage, liquid begins to flow from small vessels, which subsequently leads to the formation of edema. With extensive burn wounds, the destruction of blood vessels can lead to the development of burn shock.
Causes of burns
Burns can develop due to the following reasons:
- thermal impact;
- chemical impact;
- electrical impact;
- radiation exposure.
thermal effect
Burns are formed due to direct contact with fire, boiling water or steam.- Fire. When exposed to fire, the face and upper respiratory tract are most often affected. With burns of other parts of the body, it is difficult to remove burnt clothing, which can cause the development of an infectious process.
- Boiling water. In this case, the burn area may be small, but deep enough.
- Steam. When exposed to steam, in most cases, shallow tissue damage occurs ( often affects the upper respiratory tract).
- hot items. When the skin is damaged by hot objects, clear boundaries of the object remain at the site of exposure. These burns are quite deep and are characterized by the second - fourth degrees of damage.
- influence temperature ( the higher the temperature, the stronger the damage);
- duration of exposure to the skin the longer the contact time, the more severe the degree of burn);
- thermal conductivity ( the higher it is, the stronger the degree of damage);
- the condition of the skin and health of the victim.
Chemical exposure
Chemical burns are caused by contact with the skin of aggressive chemicals ( e.g. acids, alkalis). The degree of damage depends on its concentration and duration of contact.Burns due to chemical exposure can occur due to exposure of the skin to the following substances:
- Acids. The effect of acids on the surface of the skin causes shallow lesions. After exposure to the affected area, a burn crust is formed in a short time, which prevents further penetration of acids deep into the skin.
- Caustic alkalis. Due to the influence of caustic alkali on the surface of the skin, its deep damage occurs.
- Salts of some heavy metals ( e.g. silver nitrate, zinc chloride). Damage to the skin with these substances in most cases causes superficial burns.
electrical impact
Electrical burns occur on contact with conductive material. Electric current propagates through tissues with high electrical conductivity through blood, cerebrospinal fluid, muscles, and to a lesser extent through skin, bones or adipose tissue. Dangerous for human life is the current when its value exceeds 0.1 A ( ampere).Electrical injuries are divided into:
- low voltage;
- high voltage;
- supervoltage.
Radiation exposure
Burns due to radiation exposure can be caused by:- Ultraviolet radiation. Ultraviolet skin lesions mainly occur in the summer. The burns in this case are shallow, but are characterized by a large area of damage. Exposure to ultraviolet radiation often results in superficial first- or second-degree burns.
- Ionizing radiation. This effect leads to damage not only to the skin, but also to nearby organs and tissues. Burns in such a case are characterized by a shallow form of damage.
- infrared radiation. May cause damage to the eyes, mainly the retina and cornea, but also to the skin. The degree of damage in this case will depend on the intensity of the radiation, as well as on the duration of exposure.
Degrees of burns
In 1960, it was decided to classify burns into four degrees:
- I degree;
- II degree;
- III-A and III-B degree;
- IV degree.
| Burn degree | Development mechanism | Features of external manifestations |
| I degree | there is a superficial lesion of the upper layers of the epidermis, the healing of burns of this degree occurs without scarring | hyperemia ( redness), swelling, pain, dysfunction of the affected area |
| II degree | complete destruction of the superficial layers of the epidermis | pain, blistering with clear fluid inside |
| III-A degree | damage to all layers of the epidermis up to the dermis ( dermis may be partially affected) | a dry or soft burn crust is formed ( scab) light brown |
| III-B degree | all layers of the epidermis, the dermis, and also partially the hypodermis are affected | a dense dry burn crust of brown color is formed |
| IV degree | all layers of the skin are affected, including muscles and tendons down to the bone | characterized by the formation of a burn crust of dark brown or black color |
There is also a classification of burn degrees according to Kreibich, who distinguished five degrees of burn. This classification differs from the previous one in that the III-B degree is called the fourth, and the fourth degree is called the fifth.
The depth of damage in case of burns depends on the following factors:
- the nature of the thermal agent;
- temperature of the active agent;
- duration of exposure;
- the degree of warming of the deep layers of the skin.
- Superficial burns. These include first, second, and third-A degree burns. These lesions are characterized by the fact that they are able to heal fully on their own, without surgery, that is, without scarring.
- Deep burns. These include burns of the third-B and fourth degree, which are not capable of full self-healing ( leaves a rough scar).
Burn symptoms
According to localization, burns are distinguished:
- faces ( in most cases leads to eye damage);
- scalp;
- upper respiratory tract ( there may be pain, loss of voice, shortness of breath, and a cough with a small amount of sputum or streaked with soot);
- upper and lower limbs ( with burns in the joints, there is a risk of dysfunction of the limb);
- torso;
- crotch ( can lead to disruption of the excretory organs).
| Burn degree | Symptoms | Photo |
| I degree | With this degree of burn, redness, swelling and pain are observed. The skin at the site of the lesion is bright pink in color, sensitive to touch and slightly protrudes above the healthy area of the skin. Due to the fact that with this degree of burn only superficial damage to the epithelium occurs, the skin after a few days, drying and wrinkling, forms only a small pigmentation, which disappears on its own after a while ( an average of three to four days). |  |
| II degree | In the second degree of burns, as well as in the first, hyperemia, swelling, and burning pain are noted at the site of the lesion. However, in this case, due to the detachment of the epidermis, small and loose blisters appear on the surface of the skin, filled with a light yellow, transparent liquid. If the blisters break open, reddish erosion is observed in their place. The healing of this kind of burns occurs independently on the tenth - twelfth day without scarring. |  |
| III-A degree | With burns of this degree, the epidermis and partly the dermis are damaged ( hair follicles, sebaceous and sweat glands are preserved). Tissue necrosis is noted, and also, due to pronounced vascular changes, edema spreads over the entire thickness of the skin. In the third-A degree, a dry, light brown or soft, white-gray burn crust forms. Tactile-pain sensitivity of the skin is preserved or reduced. Bubbles are formed on the affected surface of the skin, the sizes of which vary from two centimeters and above, with a dense wall, filled with a thick yellow jelly-like liquid. Epithelialization of the skin lasts an average of four to six weeks, but when an inflammatory process appears, healing can last for three months. |
|
| III-B degree | With burns of the third-B degree, necrosis affects the entire thickness of the epidermis and dermis with partial capture of subcutaneous fat. At this degree, the formation of blisters filled with hemorrhagic fluid is observed ( streaked with blood). The resulting burn crust is dry or wet, yellow, gray or dark brown. There is a sharp decrease or absence of pain. Self-healing of wounds at this degree does not occur. | |
| IV degree | With fourth-degree burns, not only all layers of the skin are affected, but also muscles, fascia and tendons up to the bones. A dark brown or black burn crust forms on the affected surface, through which the venous network is visible. Due to the destruction of nerve endings, there is no pain at this stage. At this stage, there is a pronounced intoxication, there is also a high risk of developing purulent complications. |  |
Note: In most cases, with burns, the degrees of damage are often combined. However, the severity of the patient's condition depends not only on the degree of burn, but also on the area of the lesion.
Burns are divided into extensive ( lesion of 10 - 15% of the skin or more) and not extensive. With extensive and deep burns with superficial skin lesions of more than 15 - 25% and more than 10% with deep lesions, burn disease may occur.
Burn disease is a group of clinical symptoms associated with thermal lesions of the skin and surrounding tissues. Occurs with massive destruction of tissues with the release of a large amount of biologically active substances.
The severity and course of a burn disease depends on the following factors:
- the age of the victim;
- the location of the burn;
- burn degree;
- area of damage.
- burn shock;
- burn toxemia;
- burn septicotoxemia ( burn infection);
- convalescence ( recovery).
burn shock
Burn shock is the first period of burn disease. The duration of the shock ranges from several hours to two to three days.Degrees of burn shock
| First degree | Second degree | Third degree |
| It is typical for burns with skin lesions of no more than 15 - 20%. With this degree, burning pain is observed in the affected areas. The heart rate is up to 90 beats per minute, and blood pressure is within normal limits. | It is observed with burns with a lesion of 21 - 60% of the body. The heart rate in this case is 100 - 120 beats per minute, blood pressure and body temperature are reduced. The second degree is also characterized by a feeling of chills, nausea and thirst. | The third degree of burn shock is characterized by damage to more than 60% of the body surface. The condition of the victim in this case is extremely severe, the pulse is practically not palpable ( filiform), blood pressure 80 mm Hg. Art. ( millimeters of mercury). |
Burn toxemia
Acute burn toxemia is caused by exposure to toxic substances ( bacterial toxins, protein breakdown products). This period starts from the third or fourth day and lasts for one to two weeks. It is characterized by the fact that the victim has an intoxication syndrome.For intoxication syndrome, the following symptoms are characteristic:
- increase in body temperature ( up to 38 - 41 degrees with deep lesions);
- nausea;
- thirst.
Burn septicotoxemia
This period conditionally begins on the tenth day and continues until the end of the third - fifth week after the injury. It is characterized by attachment to the affected area of infection, which leads to the loss of proteins and electrolytes. With negative dynamics, it can lead to exhaustion of the body and death of the victim. In most cases, this period is observed with third-degree burns, as well as with deep lesions.For burn septicotoxemia, the following symptoms are characteristic:
- weakness;
- increase in body temperature;
- chills;
- irritability;
- yellowness of the skin and sclera ( with liver damage);
- increased heart rate ( tachycardia).
convalescence
In the case of successful surgical or conservative treatment, healing of burn wounds, restoration of the functioning of internal organs and recovery of the patient occurs.Determining the area of burns
In assessing the severity of thermal damage, in addition to the depth of the burn, its area is important. In modern medicine, several methods are used to measure the area of burns. There are the following methods for determining the area of the burn:
- the rule of nines;
- palm rule;
- Postnikov's method.
Rule of nines
The simplest and most affordable way to determine the area of a burn is considered to be the “rule of nines”. According to this rule, almost all parts of the body are conditionally divided into equal sections of 9% of the total surface of the entire body.| Rule of nines | Photo |
| head and neck 9% |  |
| upper limbs (each hand) by 9% |
|
| anterior torso18% (chest and abdomen 9% each) |
|
| back of the body18% (upper back and lower back 9% each) |
|
| lower limbs ( each leg) by 18% (thigh 9%, lower leg and foot 9%) |
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| Perineum 1% |
palm rule
Another method for determining the area of a burn is the “rule of the palm”. The essence of the method lies in the fact that the area of the burned palm is taken as 1% of the area of the entire surface of the body. This rule is used for small burns.Postnikov method
Also in modern medicine, the method of determining the area of the burn according to Postnikov is used. To measure burns, sterile cellophane or gauze is used, which is applied to the affected area. On the material, the contours of the burnt places are indicated, which are subsequently cut out and applied to a special graph paper to determine the area of the burn.First aid for burns
First aid for burns is as follows:
- elimination of the source of the acting factor;
- cooling of burned areas;
- the imposition of an aseptic bandage;
- anesthesia;
- call an ambulance.
Elimination of the source of the acting factor
To do this, the victim must be taken out of the fire, put out burning clothes, stop contact with hot objects, liquids, steam, etc. The sooner this assistance is provided, the less the depth of the burn will be.Cooling of burned areas
It is necessary to treat the burn site as soon as possible with running water for 10 to 15 minutes. Water should be at the optimum temperature - from 12 to 18 degrees Celsius. This is done in order to prevent the process of damage to healthy tissue near the burn. Moreover, cold running water leads to vasospasm and to a decrease in the sensitivity of nerve endings, and therefore has an analgesic effect.Note: for third and fourth degree burns, this first aid measure is not performed.
Applying an aseptic dressing
Before applying an aseptic bandage, it is necessary to carefully cut off the clothes from the burnt areas. Never attempt to clean burned areas ( remove pieces of clothing, tar, bitumen, etc. adhering to the skin.), as well as popping bubbles. It is not recommended to lubricate the burned areas with vegetable and animal fats, solutions of potassium permanganate or brilliant green.Dry and clean handkerchiefs, towels, sheets can be used as an aseptic bandage. An aseptic bandage must be applied to the burn wound without pretreatment. If the fingers or toes have been affected, it is necessary to lay additional tissue between them in order to prevent the parts of the skin from sticking together. To do this, you can use a bandage or a clean handkerchief, which must be wetted with cool water before application, and then squeezed out.
Anesthesia
For severe pain during a burn, painkillers should be taken, for example, ibuprofen or paracetamol. To achieve a rapid therapeutic effect, it is necessary to take two tablets of ibuprofen 200 mg or two tablets of paracetamol 500 mg.Call an ambulance
There are the following indications for which you need to call an ambulance:- with burns of the third and fourth degree;
- in the event that a second-degree burn in area exceeds the size of the palm of the victim;
- with first-degree burns, when the affected area is more than ten percent of the body surface ( for example, the entire abdomen or the entire upper limb);
- with the defeat of such parts of the body as the face, neck, joints, hands, feet, or perineum;
- in the event that after a burn there is nausea or vomiting;
- when after a burn there is a long ( more than 12 hours) increase in body temperature;
- when the condition worsens on the second day after the burn ( increased pain or more pronounced redness);
- with numbness of the affected area.
Burn treatment
Burn treatment can be of two types:- conservative;
- operational.
- the area of the lesion;
- the depth of the lesion;
- localization of the lesion;
- the cause of the burn;
- the development of a burn disease in the victim;
- the age of the victim.
Conservative treatment
It is used in the treatment of superficial burns, and this therapy is also used before and after surgery in case of deep lesions. Conservative burn treatment includes:
- closed method;
- open way.
Closed way
This method of treatment is characterized by the application of dressings with a medicinal substance to the affected areas of the skin.
| Burn degree | Treatment |
| I degree | In this case, it is necessary to apply a sterile bandage with anti-burn ointment. Usually, it is not necessary to change the dressing with a new one, since with a first degree burn, the affected skin heals within a short time ( up to seven days). With household burns, Panthenol Spray with dexpanthenol has proven itself well. Unlike analogues, which are cosmetics, this is a certified drug. It does not contain parabens in its composition, which makes it safe for both adults and children from the first day of life. It is easy to apply - just spray on the skin without rubbing. Panthenol Spray is produced in the European Union, in compliance with high European quality standards, you can recognize the original Panthenol Spray by the smiley next to the name on the package. |
| II degree | In the second degree, bandages with bactericidal ointments are applied to the burn surface ( for example, levomekol, sylvatsin, dioxysol), which act depressingly on the vital activity of microbes. These dressings must be changed every two days. |
| III-A degree | With lesions of this degree, a burn crust forms on the surface of the skin ( scab). The skin around the formed scab must be treated with hydrogen peroxide ( 3% ), furacilin ( 0.02% aqueous or 0.066% alcohol solution), chlorhexidine ( 0,05% ) or other antiseptic solution, after which a sterile bandage should be applied. After two to three weeks, the burn crust disappears and it is recommended to apply bandages with bactericidal ointments to the affected surface. Complete healing of the burn wound in this case occurs after about a month. |
| III-B and IV degree | With these burns, local treatment is used only to accelerate the process of rejection of the burn crust. Bandages with ointments and antiseptic solutions should be applied daily to the affected skin surface. The healing of the burn in this case occurs only after surgery. |
There are the following advantages of the closed method of treatment:
- applied dressings prevent infection of the burn wound;
- the bandage protects the damaged surface from damage;
- the drugs used kill microbes, and also contribute to the rapid healing of the burn wound.
- changing the bandage provokes pain;
- the dissolution of necrotic tissue under the bandage leads to an increase in intoxication.
open way
This method of treatment is characterized by the use of special techniques ( e.g. ultraviolet irradiation, air cleaner, bacterial filters), which is available only in specialized departments of burn hospitals.
The open method of treatment is aimed at the accelerated formation of a dry burn crust, since a soft and moist scab is a favorable environment for the reproduction of microbes. In this case, two to three times a day, various antiseptic solutions are applied to the damaged skin surface ( e.g. brilliant green ( brilliant green) 1%, potassium permanganate ( potassium permanganate) 5% ), after which the burn wound remains open. In the ward where the victim is located, the air is continuously cleaned of bacteria. These actions contribute to the formation of a dry scab within one to two days.
In this way, in most cases, burns of the face, neck and perineum are treated.
There are the following advantages of the open method of treatment:
- contributes to the rapid formation of a dry scab;
- allows you to observe the dynamics of tissue healing.
- loss of moisture and plasma from a burn wound;
- the high cost of the treatment method used.
Surgical treatment
For burns, the following types of surgical interventions can be used:
- necrotomy;
- necrectomy;
- staged necrectomy;
- limb amputation;
- skin transplant.
This surgical intervention consists in dissection of the formed scab with deep burn lesions. Necrotomy is performed urgently in order to ensure the blood supply to the tissues. If this intervention is not performed in a timely manner, necrosis of the affected area may develop.
necrectomy
Necrectomy is performed for third-degree burns in order to remove non-viable tissues with deep and limited lesions. This type of operation allows you to thoroughly clean the burn wound and prevent suppuration processes, which subsequently contributes to the rapid healing of tissues.
Staged necrectomy
This surgical intervention is performed with deep and extensive skin lesions. However, staged necrectomy is a more gentle method of intervention, since the removal of non-viable tissues is performed in several stages.
Amputation of a limb
Amputation of the limb is performed with severe burns, when treatment by other methods has not brought positive results or necrosis has developed, irreversible tissue changes with the need for subsequent amputation.
These methods of surgical intervention allow:
- clean the burn wound;
- reduce intoxication;
- reduce the risk of complications;
- reduce the duration of treatment;
- improve the healing process of damaged tissues.
Skin transplantation
Skin grafting is performed to close large burn wounds. In most cases, autoplasty is performed, that is, the patient's own skin is transplanted from other parts of the body.
Currently, the following methods of closing burn wounds are most widely used:
- Plastic surgery with local tissues. This method is used for deep burn lesions of small size. In this case, there is a borrowing of neighboring healthy tissues to the affected area.
- Free skin plastic. It is one of the most common methods of skin transplantation. This method consists in the fact that using a special tool ( dermatome) in the victim from a healthy part of the body ( e.g. thigh, buttock, abdomen) the necessary skin flap is excised, which is subsequently superimposed on the affected area.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is used in the complex treatment of burn wounds and is aimed at:- inhibition of the vital activity of microbes;
- stimulation of blood flow in the area of impact;
- acceleration of the regeneration process ( recovery) damaged area of the skin;
- prevention of the formation of post-burn scars;
- stimulation of the body's defenses ( immunity).
| Type of physiotherapy | Mechanism of therapeutic action | Application |
| Ultrasound Therapy
| Ultrasound, passing through cells, triggers chemical-physical processes. Also, acting locally, it helps to increase the body's resistance. | This method is used to dissolve scars and improve immunity. |
| ultraviolet irradiation
| Ultraviolet radiation promotes the absorption of oxygen by tissues, increases local immunity, improves blood circulation. | This method is used to speed up the regeneration of the affected area of the skin. |
| infrared irradiation
| Due to the creation of a thermal effect, this irradiation improves blood circulation, as well as stimulates metabolic processes. | This treatment is aimed at improving the healing process of tissues, and also produces an anti-inflammatory effect. |
Burn Prevention
Sunburn is a common thermal skin lesion, especially in the summer. Prevention of sunburn
To avoid sunburn, the following rules must be observed:- Avoid direct contact with the sun between ten and sixteen hours.
- On particularly hot days, it is preferable to wear dark clothing, as it protects the skin from the sun better than white clothes.
- Before going outside, it is recommended to apply sunscreen to exposed skin.
- When sunbathing, the use of sunscreen is a mandatory procedure that must be repeated after each bath.
- Since sunscreens have different protection factors, they must be selected for a specific skin phototype.
- Scandinavian ( first phototype);
- light-skinned European ( second phototype);
- dark-skinned Central European ( third phototype);
- Mediterranean ( fourth phototype);
- Indonesian or Middle Eastern ( fifth phototype);
- African American ( sixth phototype).
Prevention of household burns
According to statistics, the vast majority of burns occur in domestic conditions. Quite often, children who suffer due to the carelessness of their parents are burned. Also, the cause of burns in the domestic environment is non-compliance with safety rules.To avoid burns at home, the following recommendations must be followed:
- Do not use electrical appliances with damaged insulation.
- When unplugging the appliance from the socket, do not pull the cord, it is necessary to hold the plug base directly.
- If you are not a professional electrician, do not repair electrical appliances and wiring yourself.
- Do not use electrical appliances in a damp room.
- Children should not be left unattended.
- Make sure there are no hot objects in the children's reach ( for example, hot food or liquids, sockets, iron on, etc.).
- Items that can cause burns ( e.g. matches, hot objects, chemicals and other) should be kept away from children.
- It is necessary to conduct awareness-raising activities with older children regarding their safety.
- Smoking should be avoided in bed as it is one of the common causes of fires.
- It is recommended to install fire alarms throughout the house or at least in places where the likelihood of a fire is higher ( e.g. in a kitchen, a room with a fireplace).
- It is recommended to have a fire extinguisher in the house.
