First Aid Treatment For Burns - Chemical, Electrical & Thermal

Important Information
• First degree burns affect only the outer skin layer; The skin is red, slightly swollen and painful to touch, such as sunburn
• Second degree burns go in to the second skin layer and usually appear as blisters on red splotchy skin
• Third degree burns involve all layers of the skin even underlying tissues; These serious burns are often painless due to the nerve destruction usually appearing as charred black or dry and white areas
• Treat any large burn on the face, hands, feet, groin, buttocks or any major joint as a medical emergency; Follow primary and secondary care procedures
• Never put ice, butter, oils, grease, ointments or creams on a burn
• Do not peel off any clothes or break or burst any blisters
• Do not use any fluffy materials which will stick to the burned area such as cotton wool
• Elevate burnt limbs when possible
• Patients with third degree burns; second degree burns that cover more than 1% of the body surface area; first degree burns that cover over 5% of the body surface area; burns to the hands, feet, face or genitals, mixed degree burns, burns extending around a limb or burns on children, should go to Hospital
• Patients with second degree burns must see a doctor

Patient Care for Major Burns
STOP - Assess and observe the scene; Where is the heat source?
THINK - Consider your safety and form action plan; Is the patient's clothing or surroundings still on fire or hot?
ACT - Check responsiveness and Alert EMS
Perform primary assessment and monitor the patient's Cycle of Care - AB-CABS
If patient is responsive, perform secondary assessment to determine the extent of the burns
Help the patient to lie down but make sure that the burnt area doesn't come in to contact with the ground
Douse the burn area with cold liquid for at least 10 minutes and continue cooling the area until the pain is relieved
Carefully remove clothing from around the burnt area and remove any constricting items such as watches, belts, etc ... before swelling begins
Cover burns with a sterile dressing or other non fluffy material available such as a sheet or triangular bandage; Cling Film could also be used if it is applied lengthways
For finger or toe burns, remove jewellery and separate with dry sterile dressings
For burns to the airway, loosen clothing around the neck and offer ice or small sips of water
Continue to monitor the patient's lifeline until EMS arrives - manage shock
If you are trained to do so, provide oxygen to patient's with major burn injury
Monitor and record the patient's vital signs

Patient Care for Electrical Burns and Electric Shock
Important Information
• Any contact with electricity can cause life threatening injuries such as cardiopulmonary arrest, deep burns and internal tissue damage
• Treat electrical shock that alters the patient's consciousness, or results in burns, or is associated with collisions or falls as a medical emergency; Follow primary and secondary care procedures
• Any injury caused by an electric shock should be examined by a medical professional
STOP - Assess and observe the scene; Is the patient still in contact with the electricity source?
THINK - Make sure the electricity supply is turned off
ACT - Check responsiveness and Alert EMS
Perform primary assessment
Monitor the patient's Cycle of Care - AB-CABS
If patient is responsive, perform secondary assessment and look for burns
Treat burns by flushing with cool water until EMS arrives
If EMS is not called encourage the patient to see a doctor

Patient Care for Minor Burns (first degree & small second degree)
Wear gloves to protect yourself and the patient from disease transmission
Flush or soak the burn in cool water for at least ten minutes
If possible, remove any jewellery, watches, belts or constricting items from the injured area before swelling begins
Cover the area with a sterile non fluffy dressing and bandage loosely
Check the burn daily for signs of infection

Patient Care for Chemical Burn
STOP - Assess and observe the scene; What & Where are the Chemicals?
THINK - Consider your safety and form an action plan; How can you avoid contact with the chemicals?
ACT - Check responsiveness and Alert EMS
Perform primary assessment and monitor the patient's Cycle of Care - AB-CABS
For liquid chemicals, flush the skin surface with cool running water for at least 20 minutes
For powder chemicals, brush off the skin before flushing with water
Cover the burn with a dry, sterile dressing or a clean cloth
If EMS is not called encourage the patient to see a doctor

First Aid Advice & Information for Burns is for guidance only - Click Here to get Trained in CPR & First Aid