A burn injury can be a very serious matter. If you or someone you know has suffered a severe burn, it is essential to seek medical attention immediately. Many people do not realize how severe a burn can be, and how much it can impact the victim's life. There are several different types of burns, each requiring a different treatment. Examples of these different types of burns are Thermal Burns, Chemical Burns, Electrical Burns, and Radiation Burns. Here are a few things to keep in mind if you or someone you know has suffered a severe burn.
Cool the Burn
The first thing you should do after a severe burn is tocool the burn as quickly as possible. Burns that are cooled right away may heal with less scarring. When a person is burned, the cells in the area of the burn die. If those dead cells are not cooled immediately, they will damage other healthy cells around them, resulting in burns that may need skin grafts or other advanced treatments. According to the American Burn Association, the "cooling of a severe burn injury should occur within one hour of the burn injury and within 12 hours after initial contact with an emergency medical service."
Don't Break Blisters
When a person is burned, their skin forms blisters to protect the underlying tissue from further damage. A doctor may be able to remove a blister if it is necessary surgically. However, you should never attempt to remove a blister yourself. If you break a blister before the burn has healed, it can get infected and spread germs everywhere. Several people have died because they broke an open blister. To prevent this, you should apply a layer of gauze to a burn to protect the skin from injury.
Avoid Scratching Burns
Many people who suffer a severe burn injury get itchy skin and often end up scratching the burn. However, this is one of the worst things you can do for your burn 1https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/burns . Scratching can open up blisters and introduce germs into the wound. Scratching also makes it more likely that skin will have to be removed from the burn area to clean out dead tissue. Instead of scratching, try focusing on keeping your mind distracted, such as with a smartphone or other electronic device.
Apply Lotion
When a person is burned, the affected skin will often feel very dry and flaky. This is because there are very few oil glands in the skin, so the skin will dry out quickly. Instead of using soap on your wound as you normally would, apply a lotion containing some oil to your burn. The oil will help moisturize the burn and keep it from drying. It will also help the burn to heal, rather than get infected. Many brands of lotion will help to soothe the burning sensation as well.
Bandage the Burn
Usually, a doctor will require that a burn be bandaged. This is because the bandage helps to hold the lotion in place and prevents germs from getting into the burn. However, if you cover a burn before seeing a doctor, use sterile gauze or paper towels to cover it. You can then cover this with some non-stick bandage. Both types of bandages should be removed by a doctor as soon as possible.
Take a Pain Reliever
When the skin is burned, it will become very painful and swollen. An average burn can be quite painful. This is because the injury damages the nerve endings in the skin, and these nerves send pain signals to your brain. Because of this, it may be necessary for a doctor to prescribe a pain reliever for you or for you to take your medication. Some of the most common painkillers a person can take include ibuprofen and acetaminophen.
Consider a Tetanus Shot
A tetanus shot is a vaccine that prevents harmful bacteria called tetanus from getting into a person's bloodstream. This bacteria is commonly found in the dirt and soil, but it can also get into wounds when exposed to the outside world. A person who does not get a tetanus shot within five days of an injury may need to take antibiotics, killing off the harmful bacteria that could make you very sick.
Seek Legal Help
If you are burned by something in the care or control of someone else, such as a manufacturer, you may have a claim for damages. To preserve your rights, you should speak with a Bronx personal injury lawyer to learn what legal options you have, and the best course of action to take. A victim's health insurance policy will cover most burn injuries. Even if you don't have health insurance, or your insurance company is denying your claim, you may still have legal recourse.
These are just a few things you should do if you suffer a severe burn injury. By following these tips, you can help to ensure that your injury heals properly and that you don't end up with any long-term complications. If you have any questions about your burn or think that someone else may be at fault for your injuries, then you should speak with a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.
Additional resources and citations
- 1https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/burns
The content is intended to augment, not replace, information provided by your clinician. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Reading this information does not create or replace a doctor-patient relationship or consultation. If required, please contact your doctor or other health care provider to assist you in interpreting any of this information, or in applying the information to your individual needs.
