Your First Aid for Burns

Whether it is minor or severe, getting burned anywhere in the body can be a panicky moment for us. However, it is most important to keep our mind as clear as water immediately following the incident. After acquiring such trauma, first aid must be applied.

After making sure that the source of burning has already been stopped, keep the damage to its minimum by following these surefire (no pun intended) tips:

For Minor Burns

• Clean the wound gently using lukewarm water.
• Any constricting articles in the affected area, such as rings, bracelets, or any other pieces of jewelry, must be removed as they can cause swelling or inflammation in the skin.
• If you have such at home, topical antibiotic ointments such as Neosporin or Bacitracin can help alleviate the symptoms and prevent the damage from worsening. These medications can be purchased over the counter.
• If you think the burn may be deeper and could be a second to third in degree, seek medical care immediately.

For Major Burns

• Once you have assessed and categorized it as a second or third degree burn, call the proper authorities.
• Wrap the affected area in a clean cloth or sheet. NEVER apply cold water to the burnt area. Doing such could cause an extreme drop of body temperature called hypothermia.

For electrical burns, it is important to seek immediate medical attention. Meanwhile, in the case of chemical burns, identifying the damaging chemical is a must. The Poison Control Center can help you throughout the situation. Although some chemical burns can only be treated using home wound remedies, some may cause more serious injuries that promote possible limb-threatening conditions.

Burn Care in New Jersey

Forget about this traumatizing incident and have your burn scars removed. Dr. Weinstein can make this possible with skin grafting and tissue expansion. Call us at 908-879-2222 to book an appointment with Dr. Weinstein today.

Posted in Body Procedures, Burn Care on September 15th, 2014

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