BURNS:
An Avoidable Injury.
DR. WOJO'S PRESCRIPTION
INSCRIPTION:
If a burn is pink or blistered, cool water should do the trick
- but if your burn is white or charred, get to the hospital
quick! |
Each year over a million people suffer thermal burns (burns
caused by heat) in the U.S. About 75,000 of these patients are hospitalized,
and 5,500 die as a result of these burns.
During the summer months, the number of burn cases grows due to outdoor
activities such as camping, bonfires and the use of fireworks.
Children are the largest group afflicted with burns - over one-third
of hospitalized burn patients are children! In fact, burns are the
second leading cause of death for children between the ages of one
and four.
What are the different types of burns, and what do they look like?
Burns are classified as first-, second-, and third-degree.
First-degree burns only involve the outer layer of the skin called
the epidermis. These burns can be caused by the sun, scalds or fire
flare-ups. The skin is red, dry, and painful. When treating a first-degree
burn, it's best to cool the skin as quickly as possible and take medication,
like acetaminophen or aspirin, as necessary to relieve the pain. In
general, first-degree burns do not require professional medical attention.
These burns will heal just fine on their own.
Second-degree burns involve the underlying skin called the dermis.
These burns are caused by significant splash injuries, scalds, immersions
or brief flame burns. They may appear pink, moist, include fluid-filled
blisters and are extremely painful, but they will usually not scar.
As with first-degree burns, cooling the skin quickly and taking medication
to relieve the pain is your best course of action. Follow-up care
involves cleaning the burn and applying antibiotic creams.
The most severe burns, third-degree burns, destroy both the epidermis
and dermis. Third-degree burns can be caused by significant scalds,
prolonged flame exposure and high voltage electrical exposure. The
skin appears dry, white, charred and leather-like. Third-degree burns
destroy the nerve endings, so they are not painful. Scarring occurs,
so skin grafting, a procedure that removes skin from other parts of
the body to cover the burned area, will be needed.
What should I do about severe burns? The
first 24 hours of care are the most critical when dealing with severe
third-degree burns. It
is important to call 911. The police officers and ambulance personnel
that respond are trained in the emergency treatment of burns. They
make sure that the victim's airway remains open, that fluids are replaced,
that the wound is properly treated, and that the victim receives medication
to relieve pain.
For severely burned patients, emergency care will be continued at
the hospital. Many emergency doctors have special training and certifications
in burn treatment. Eventually, many patients with extensive burns
may need to be transferred to a specialized burn center, but the most
critical portion of treatment takes place during this initial emergency
care.
What can I do? Since many burns are due
to acts of carelessness, prevention truly is the best treatment of
these injuries. Be sure to survey potential
dangers around your home to decrease the chances of getting burned!
And remember to cut and save Dr. Wojo's Prescription Inscription!
