i If the person is experiencing strong enough pain, he may want to take an over-the-counter pain reliever such as aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen. Keep in mind that children under the age of 18 should NOT be given aspirin. Anesthetic cream or aloe gel can also help soothe the skin, or moisturizing lotion can be applied to cooled skin. To avoid infection, do not apply butter to the burn and do not break any blisters on the burn. If the pain increases or fever, swelling, or oozing develop, the wound has probably become infected and requires medical attention. In addition, if dehydration occurs, medical attention is necessary. Signs of dehydration include thirst, dry skin, dizziness, lightheadedness, or decreased urination.
Severe Burn
A third-degree burn is characterized by skin that is “charred black” or dry and white. The skin may also be numb, which means pain may be absent, despite the severity of the burn due to possible nerve damage. This type of injury affects all three layers of skin and can lead to permanent tissue damage, as well as damage to bone and muscle. Immediate medical treatment is needed. While waiting for help to arrive or if taking the person to the hospital, do not remove any fabric that is stuck to the skin. Be sure the material is no longer burning or smoldering. For this type of injury, applying cold water can cause complications such as hypothermia or shock. The Mayo Clinic advises using “a cool, moist, sterile bandage; clean, moist cloth; or moist towels.” Do not apply ointments and do not break the blisters. Also, do not blow on or fan the burn. If possible, have the person lie flat and raise the affected area above heart level. Lying flat is not indicated if the person has a head, neck, back, or leg injury or if lying flat leads to discomfort.
Ask the Doctor
Holiday Fire Safety • Do not ever use lit candles to decorate a tree, and place them far from tree branches. • Give live trees plenty of water daily to keep them as moist as possible. • When purchasing an artificial tree, be sure it is labeled as fire-retardant. • Choose a sturdy tree stand designed not to tip over. • When decorating Christmas trees, always use safe tree lights. • Always unplug Christmas tree lights before leaving home or going to sleep. • Dried-out trees are highly flammable and should not be left in a house or garage, or placed against the house. • Avoid placing lit candles in windows, where blinds and curtains could close over them. • Monitor pots and pans on the stove so that liquids do not boil over.
Hopefully, you will avoid this painful injury while preparing your Thanksgiving and Christmas dishes, but will instead have a safe holiday season with family and friends. However, if the unfortunate happens, we hope some of what you learned here will help you take quick action to minimize the pain and possible long-term damage from burns. O The contents of this article are not intended as medical instruction. In the event of a burn, you should consult your doctor or a medical professional for treatment or medication.
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• Turn pot and pan handles inward on the stovetop so children cannot reach them and pull them down. • Use the back burners to cook when young children are in the home.
| Murray Life Magazine
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