Burns can lead to serious consequences. Temperatures that are too hot or too cold damage and kill skin cells, fat, muscles, etc. However, first aid treatment is quite simple.

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Cooling burns (burns)

Note that when burned, the victim is in pain and there will be swelling afterward. Specifically, this victim’s hand was damaged and his hand blistered afterward. So if possible, remove jewelry such as necklaces, watches, etc.

Even if we have removed the object that caused the skin burn from the victim, the hot temperature that has penetrated under the skin will continue to burn the tissue layers below. Therefore, the first first aid for burns is to gradually remove the heat from the skin and return it to its normal temperature.

The most effective thing to do this is to use water. We need some water, tap water is best. However, if we don’t have tap water, we can use a bowl of water and dip the burned hands in it. While the victim’s hands are soaking in the water, they can use their hands to stir the water to make it less hot and change the water if possible.

It is necessary to soak the burned hand in water for about 20 minutes. When you pull your hand out, if your hand is still hot and painful, you must continue to soak your hand in water. After 20 minutes of soaking in water, the skin returns to normal temperature when the pain can no longer be reduced.

Cover the burn

For a serious burn injury like this, after first aid with water, we should take the victim to the hospital. We need to cover the victim’s burn wound to prevent infection with materials that do not stick to the skin. For example, food wrap, clean plastic bags, etc. Remember to cover lightly, not wrap tightly as in the case of stopping bleeding. In case of a hand burn like this, after first aid and cooling with water, we can easily put the hand in a plastic bag and take it to the hospital immediately afterward.

We can use a bandage to lightly wrap a loose loop around the plastic bag to keep the protective layer from falling off the burned area. If you have a bandage available, be sure to wrap it very loosely. Now the victim may feel a lot of pain in the burned area. The third step is to use ice on top of the plastic bag to relieve the patient’s pain and then take them to the hospital. Note that we only use ice in the third step, we do not use it in the first step.

Common WRONG first aid methods

Absolutely DO NOT perform the following methods:

  • Use ice to cool burns: Applying ice directly to a burn can cause more serious skin damage.
  • Apply cream or any type of oil or lotion: applying these substances to the burn as soon as the burn has not returned to normal temperature will prevent heat from escaping the skin, causing the skin to become more damaged and increasing the risk of infection.
  • Use cloth, cotton, gauze, etc. cover the burn: these materials will stick tightly to the burned skin. When entering the hospital, doctors must remove these substances. Removing them can damage the entire burned skin area, causing pain to the victim and causing infection.
  • Do not poke, prick, or peel off the burn: it will make the injury worse and worsen the recovery process.
  • Do not treat or delay getting the victim to the hospital.

You can participate in online learning or learn to practice first aid for burns at SSVN Survival Skills. Detailed information and registration at: elearning.survivalskills.vn