Emergency First Aid for Children8. Burns and

Scalds

"In the UK, someone is scalded or burnt every 90 seconds. Each year

112,000 people have to go to casualty with scalds or burns.

Another 250,000 have to consult their doctor.* "

* DTI figures for 1999

Burns and Scalds

The First Aider should:

• Establish your own safety

• Stop the burning by rapid cooling

• Cover the injury

• Obtain appropriate medical treatment

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Burns and Scalds

• The First Aider SHOULD NOT:

• Touch the burnt area• Break blisters or remove loose skin• Use adhesive, dry or fluffy dressings• Apply anything (lotions, ointments etc) to the

burnt area• Over-cool the casualty

• Apply water under pressure

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Burns and Scalds

• Types / Causes of burns

» Dry Burns» Wet Burns» Cold Burns» Friction Burns» Radiation Burns» Electrical Burns» Chemical Burns

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Assessing Burns

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Assessing Burns

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Assessing Burns

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Severe Burns and Scalds

Aims• Halt the burning process• Resuscitate if necessary• Treat associated injuries• Minimise risk of infection• Arrange urgent removal

to hospital

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Severe Burns and ScaldsTreatment

• Lay casualty down – protecting burned area

• Douse burn with copious amounts of cold water (thorough cooling may take 10 minutes)

• While cooling, check airway, breathing, pulse

• Carefully remove rings watches etc

• Carefully remove burned clothing unless it is sticking to the wound

Cooled clothing removed, and

cool again

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Burns and Scalds

Dressings• Cover the burn with clean, non-fluffy

material to protect it from infection. The dressing does not need to be secured.

Alternate Dressing• To dress a burned hand or foot – you can

use a plastic bag or kitchen fil. Secure the bag with a bandage or plaster around the bag, not the skin.

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Burns to Mouth and Throat

• Burns in this area are very serious as they can cause swelling and inflammation of the air passage. If necessary loosen clothing from around the neck

Call for an ambulance immediately

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Electrical Burn

• An electric shock from a low voltage source can result in burns.

• These may occur at both the point of entry and exit of the electric current.

Page 59

"More than 3,000 people a year experience electric shocks in their home.* Electrocution can cause heart failure and is potentially lethal."

* DTI figures for 1999.

Page 59

Electrical Burns

Do NOT touch the casualty directly until you are sure the current is switched off.

Call for an ambulance

Treatment

• Treat as per other burns.• Position and direction of entry and exit wounds will alert you to the likely extent of hidden injury, and to the degree of shock that may ensue.

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Chemical Burn to Skin

• Chemical burns may be caused by household agents such as oven cleaner or paint stripper.

• The burns are serious but signs develop more slowly than for thermal burns.

Chemical Burn to Skin

Recognising chemical burns

• Fierce stinging pain

• Redness or staining, followed by

• Blistering and peeling

Chemical Burn to SkinTreatment• Wash all traces of the

chemical but holding the affected area under plenty of running water.

• Gently remove any contaminated clothing while flooding the injury

• Loosely cover the burn with clean, non-fluffy material. You can wet the covering material to aid cooling.

Chemical BurnsREMEMBER!

• Note the name of the substance that caused the burn

• Wear protective rubber gloves

• Beware of fumes

• Irrigate for longer than you would for thermal burns

Chemical Burn to the Eye

• Splashes of chemical can cause serious injury if not treated quickly

• They can damage the surface of the eye causing scarring or blindness

Aims

• To disperse the harmful chemical

• To arrange removal to hospital

"There are more than 120,000 accidents involving eye injuries every year.* Many of us have experienced having something in our eye, but the

trick is knowing which injuries you can treat at home and which should be left

to the professionals."

*DTI figures for 1999.

Chemical Burn to the Eye

Treatment• Hold the casualty’s head over a

basin with the “good” eye uppermost.

• Gently irrigate the contaminated eye for at least 10 minutes.

• Ensure both sides of eyelid are thoroughly washed and that water drains away from the face.

Chemical Burn to the Eye

Treatment cont’d

• You may find it easier to use a jug to pour water over the affected area.

• Avoid splashing the “good eye with contaminated water

Chemical Burn to the Eye

Treatment cont’d

• When the injured eye is thoroughly washed, cover it with a sterile dressing. Hold the dressing in place until you get medical aid.

• Take the casualty to hospital, OR• Call an ambulance

Chemical Burn to the EyeREMEMBER !

• DO NOT let the casualty touch his eye.

• The eye will be shut in spasm and pain, so gently pull the eyelids open.

Emergency First Aid for Children

End of Section