When the skin is burned, the small blood vessels underneath the skin leak body fluid.  This leaking fluid is forced into the tissues and forms blisters, or the fluid can leak through the skin.  Burns, which effect large areas of the body, causes an excessive loss of body fluids causing shock.

With burns which occur on the limbs, the body fluid accumulates in the tissues causing swelling and an increase in pain

Burns to the face, neck and chest area will cause breathing difficulties.

                    

Signs and Symptoms may include:

 

Partial Thickness Burns:

v Reddened skin

v Blisters

v Swelling

v Peeling skin around burnt area

v Very painful

 

Full Thickness Burns

· Deep tissue burns

· Skin may look white

· Skin may look black and charred

· Body fluid loss

· Shock

· Relatively painless due to nerve damage

· Pain may occur around the edges of the burn

· Dehydration

 

Causes of burns

Fire:

In the case of fire remember the following: Danger from Fire and smoke Fumes given off from plastic materials, furnishings, paint. Cover your mouth and nose with a wet cloth, Crouch low and crawl out (GO GO GO)

 

Facial, Neck and Airway (Inhalation) Burns:

Maintain an open airway by giving small sips of cool water and place cold compress around the neck and throat and seek medical aid.

 

Bitumen and plastic burns:

Do not remove from the skin unless it is obstructing the airway and cool running water minimum 30 minutes

 

Electrical and Lightning Burns

Beware of danger. While the surface of the skin may look undamaged, deep tissue burns may have occurred

 

Chemical Burns:

Alkali burns are more serious than acid burns as they penetrate the tissues deeper.  Never neutralise acidic or alkaline burns as this increases the heat that is generated and will cause deeper burns and damage:

Treatment for Burns:

Follow the Basic First Aid Plan to assess the casualty

ü Watch for danger

ü Remove casualty from danger

ü Put out any flames - stop - drop & roll

ü Cool the burn by placing the burnt area under gently running cold water for up to 20 minutes

ü Remove constrictive jewellery and clothing

ü Cover the burn loosely with a clean sterile non stick dressing, non fluffy sheet or material, plastic wrap

ü If possible elevate the burnt area

ü If pain persists, continue to cool with cold water

ü Call for assistance immediately

ü Monitor Airway and Breathing

 

When to seek medical aid:

ü When a partial thickness burn, which may have associated blisters, is larger than a 20 cent piece

ü Full thickness burns

ü Burns involving the face, hands, airway, chest, or genital area

ü Burns affecting a large area of the body, particularly in the elderly, small children and babies

ü Not sure how bad the burn is

 

DO NOT

Place yourself in danger when attempting a rescue.  Please apply caution and common sense

Remove clothing, footwear, or jewellery which is stuck to the skin

Break blisters, this causes the risk of infection

Use adhesive plaster

Apply fats, oils, butter, lotions or cream

Underestimate the extent of the burns especially burns involving the airway

Use cotton wool, towels, fluffy material, blankets, or plastic adhesives

Over cool the casualty – shivering is a sign

Give alcohol or tobacco

 

Remember: - Shock can occur quickly!