Burn Treatment

Stop the Burning

1. Remove heat source: Smother flames (stop, drop, roll). Remove from hot water. Brush off dry chemicals.
2. Remove clothing: Unless stuck to burn. Jewelry off immediately - swelling happens fast.
3. Cool the burn: Cool (not cold) running water 10-20 minutes. Effective up to 3 hours after burn.

Do NOT use ice or ice water - causes tissue damage and hypothermia in large burns.

First/Second Degree Treatment

1. Cool water: 10-15 minutes. Relieves pain, limits damage.
2. Clean gently: Mild soap and water. Remove loose skin from blisters if already broken.
3. Don't break intact blisters: They're protecting healing tissue. If blister breaks on its own, clean gently.
4. Apply ointment: Aloe vera, antibiotic ointment, or burn gel. Honey works if nothing else available.
5. Cover: Non-stick dressing (Telfa) or clean cloth. Loose wrap. Don't use adhesive directly on burn.
6. Pain relief: Ibuprofen (also reduces inflammation) or acetaminophen.
7. Elevate: If on limb, reduce swelling.
8. Keep clean: Change dressing daily or when wet/soiled. Watch for infection.

Third Degree / Severe Burn Treatment

1. Call 911 immediately
2. Don't remove stuck clothing: Cut around it
3. Don't immerse in water: Large burns can cause hypothermia
4. Cover loosely: Clean, dry cloth or sheet. Don't wrap tightly.
5. Elevate burned area: Above heart if possible
6. Watch for shock: Keep person warm, lying down, legs elevated if no head/neck injury
7. Nothing by mouth: May need surgery
8. Monitor breathing: Be ready for CPR if airway involved

For burns involving face, airway, hands, feet, groin, major joints, or circumferential (all the way around limb) - these are always medical emergencies.

Electrical Burns

Always more severe than they appear. Internal damage along current path.

• Ensure power is OFF before touching person
• Entrance and exit wounds - find both
• Cardiac monitoring needed - arrhythmias can occur hours later
• All electrical burns need medical evaluation
• Lightning: Cardiac arrest common, CPR immediately

Chemical Burns

• Brush off dry chemicals first (don't add water yet)
• Flush with copious water 20+ minutes (remove clothing while flushing)
• Acid or base doesn't matter - flush with water
• Eyes involved: Flush 30+ minutes, force eyes open
• Call poison control for specific chemicals
• Don't try to neutralize - heat of reaction causes more damage

DIY: Garden hose, shower, any clean water source. Volume and time matter more than water purity for initial flush.

Inhalation / Airway Burns

From smoke, hot gases, chemical fumes. Life-threatening.

• Signs: Singed nasal hairs, soot in mouth, hoarse voice, cough, difficulty breathing, black sputum
• Swelling can completely block airway within hours
• Call 911 immediately
• Keep person sitting up if breathing easier
• Be prepared for emergency airway (cricothyrotomy) in field if complete obstruction

Tar / Asphalt Burns

• Don't try to remove immediately - causes more damage
• Cool with water first
• Remove with mineral oil, baby oil, or petroleum jelly
• May need medical debridement

Rule of Nines (Adults)

• Head: 9%
• Each arm: 9%
• Front torso: 18%
• Back torso: 18%
• Each leg: 18%
• Groin: 1%

For children, head is larger proportion (18%), legs smaller (13% each). For scattered burns, palm = 1% body surface.

Burns over 20% (or 10% in children/elderly) require fluid resuscitation. Burns over 50% often fatal without advanced care.

Burn Kit

• Aloe vera gel or burn gel
• Non-stick dressings (Telfa pads)
• Stretch gauze (Kerlix)
• Medical tape (paper tape gentler)
• Antibiotic ointment
• Ibuprofen and acetaminophen
• Scissors
• Gloves

Source: Burn gel/patches at pharmacies ($5-15). Water-Jel brand common. Aloe plants grow easily - fresh gel directly from leaf.

DIY: Honey is antibacterial and effective for burns. Apply thick layer, cover with clean cloth. Fresh aloe from plant. Clean wet cloths for cooling. Any clean fabric for covering.