First aid for burns, scalds
Sep 12, 2006
COOL the burnt area immediately with cool water (preferably running) for at least 20 minutes. A shower or bath is useful for larger areas. But do not use very cold water or ice.<br>
COOL the burnt area immediately with cool water (preferably running) for at least 20 minutes. A shower or bath is useful for larger areas. But do not use very cold water or ice.
A cold compress such as a tea towel soaked in cold water may be soothing over the burnt area. You can apply this after the initial cooling under cool water.
After cooling, remove clothing from the burnt area. However, do not try to pull off clothing that has stuck to the skin. This may cause a wound.
Remove rings, bracelets and watches from the affected area. These may cause tightness or constriction if any swelling occurs.
Before going to hospital, cover the burn with cling film or a clean plastic bag and leave it on until seen by a doctor or nurse. Apply cling film in layers rather than round like a bandage to prevent it causing pressure if the burnt area swells.
Paracetamol (panadol) or ibuprofen may help to ease pain for small burns.
Do not do the following:
Prick any blisters.
Apply creams, ointments, oils, grease, etc. (The exception is for mild sunburn. A moisturiser cream or calamine lotion may help to soothe the area.)
Put on an adhesive, sticky, or fluffy dressing.
See a doctor or nurse if you are unsure about what to do after a burn. However, small, mild (superficial), burns can be managed at home. Mild sunburn, small mild burns, or mild scalds are best left uncovered. They will heal quicker if left to the fresh air. Even a small blister is best left uncovered to heal. If the blister bursts, you can use a dry, non-adhesive, non-fluffy sterile dressing. This will soak up the weeping blister, and stop dirt and germs getting into the wound.
See a doctor or nurse as soon as possible if:
The burn becomes infected. Infection causes a spreading redness from the burn, which becomes more painful.
You are not up to date with tetanus immunisation.
Blisters occur. A blister means a partial thickness burn.
Go straight to a health care practitioner (after cooling with water and first aid) for the following:
Electrical burns.
Full thickness burns, even for small ones. These are burns which cause white or charred skin.
Partial thickness burns on the face, hands, arms, feet, legs, or genitals. These are burns which cause blisters.
Any burn that is larger than the size of the hand of the person affected.
Cover the burn with cling film or a clean plastic bag before going to casualty.
AA (International Air Ambulance) flier
A cold compress such as a tea towel soaked in cold water may be soothing over the burnt area. You can apply this after the initial cooling under cool water.
After cooling, remove clothing from the burnt area. However, do not try to pull off clothing that has stuck to the skin. This may cause a wound.
Remove rings, bracelets and watches from the affected area. These may cause tightness or constriction if any swelling occurs.
Before going to hospital, cover the burn with cling film or a clean plastic bag and leave it on until seen by a doctor or nurse. Apply cling film in layers rather than round like a bandage to prevent it causing pressure if the burnt area swells.
Paracetamol (panadol) or ibuprofen may help to ease pain for small burns.
Do not do the following:
Prick any blisters.
Apply creams, ointments, oils, grease, etc. (The exception is for mild sunburn. A moisturiser cream or calamine lotion may help to soothe the area.)
Put on an adhesive, sticky, or fluffy dressing.
See a doctor or nurse if you are unsure about what to do after a burn. However, small, mild (superficial), burns can be managed at home. Mild sunburn, small mild burns, or mild scalds are best left uncovered. They will heal quicker if left to the fresh air. Even a small blister is best left uncovered to heal. If the blister bursts, you can use a dry, non-adhesive, non-fluffy sterile dressing. This will soak up the weeping blister, and stop dirt and germs getting into the wound.
See a doctor or nurse as soon as possible if:
The burn becomes infected. Infection causes a spreading redness from the burn, which becomes more painful.
You are not up to date with tetanus immunisation.
Blisters occur. A blister means a partial thickness burn.
Go straight to a health care practitioner (after cooling with water and first aid) for the following:
Electrical burns.
Full thickness burns, even for small ones. These are burns which cause white or charred skin.
Partial thickness burns on the face, hands, arms, feet, legs, or genitals. These are burns which cause blisters.
Any burn that is larger than the size of the hand of the person affected.
Cover the burn with cling film or a clean plastic bag before going to casualty.
AA (International Air Ambulance) flier