Knowing proper first aid before you are faced with an emergency situation is essential if you are going to handle the situation properly. Good first aid can mean the difference between permanent injury and only minor injury in many situations. One time when first aid is crucial is when dealing with a burn victim.
The first thing you must do when treating someone with a burn is determine the severity of the burn. Minor, or first-degree, burns will look red and swollen, but the skin will not be broken. Second-degree burns burn through the first two layers of the skin, causing an intense redness and splotchy appearance. Third-degree burns burn through all layers of the skin, and possibly cause muscle, organ, or bone damage. They often do not cause pain, and they look dry, white, or black.
If you are dealing with a major burn, like a third-degree burn or a second-degree burn that is larger than three inches in diameter, call for emergency help immediately. Then, check the individual for signs of circulation and breathing. Begin CPR if needed. If you can, raise the burned body parts above the heart and cover them with a cool, moist bandage. Do not remove any burnt clothing, and do not stick the burned body part in cold water. Then, try to keep the burn victim alert and calm until medical help can arrive.
Minor burns may not require medical help. You can treat the burn by running it under cold running water for five minutes. Cold compresses or submersion in a cold bucket of water will work if you cannot hold the area under running water. Remember, this is different than the treatment for severe burns, which you do not treat with cold water.
Once the burn is cooled, cover it with a gauze bandage loosely. You can also administer a pain reliever to the victim, but remember that you should not give aspirin to children or teens. Watch the area for signs of infection, but you will not need to do anything else to help the burn as it heals.
When treating burns, never use ice. Burned skin is more prone to developing frostbite, so use cool water instead. You can apply some straight aloe vera to the burn, but do not use any other ointments or butter. This can keep the burn from healing properly. Pure aloe vera can take the sting out of the burn if applied directly after the burn occurs. If the burn blisters, do not purposefully break the blisters, as this can lead to infection.
