• Give the patient sips of fluid to help replace lost fluid and to prevent dehydration and kidney failure. • Give the patient pain relief. • If you are 24 hours or more away from medical assistance, place paraffin gauze between the patient’s fingers and toes to prevent the skin sticking together. Also use paraffin gauze on surfaces where skin layers have been removed and you do not want a dry dressing to stick to or become embedded in the burn.
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What not to do:
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• Do not remove clothing stuck to a burn – cut around it.
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• Do not break burn blisters – they create a barrier to infection.
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• Do not apply creams or ointment – they trap bacteria on the burnt skin and will have to be scrubbed off if the area becomes infected.
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• Do not use up all your water if it is limited – dehydration will be a safety consideration for all the party members. Recycle the water you are using to cool the burn.
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• Do not put ice directly on the burn as this can cause more swelling and/or frostbite.
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INHALATION BURNS
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Inhalation burns cause the same problems as burns to the skin – swelling, blisters and leaking fluid. Swelling of the airway can occur and fluid may build up in the lungs. Signs and symptoms of breathing difficulty may appear for up to 48 hours.
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• Look for singed face, lips, facial hairs or nasal hairs. • Check the mouth and throat for redness, swelling and soot.
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• Check for signs of breathing difficulty; hoarse croaky voice; coughing; and noisy, rapid breathing.
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• Maintain the airway (see page 32).
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• Give the patient something cold to suck on. This may delay swelling of the mouth and tongue. • Arrange an urgent evacuation. Even if the patient is breathing well straight after the accident, the airway is likely to swell.
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