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Different surgical and non-surgical approaches to burn treatment |
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Different surgical and non-surgical approaches to burn treatment Burns - Part 2 Dr. Edward F.Group III, DC, Ph.D, ND, DACBN
To treat a burn you have to know what happens to your skin after you receive a burn. Normally, part of the blood seeps out through little holes in the walls of the blood vessels and gets into the skin. That is how skin is nourished. When the blood vessel is damaged, these little holes enlarge creating leakage. Large volumes of fluid have to be pumped back into your body during the first 24 hours to replace the fluid loss.
Because of this influx of fluid entering the burn area, a great deal of
swelling occurs. Sometimes, large cuts are made through the dead, burned
tissue to release the pressure caused by the swelling. This procedure is
called escharotomy. The swelling will usually go down within a
week or two.
Depending on the individual, it may take several days before a
determination can be made as to how severe the burn is and whether or
not a skin graft will be needed. This will depend on the way in which
you got burned, your age, previous health, where the burn is, how big
the burn is, and how deep the burn is.
Wear
Proper Garments Here are the three classifications that will help to evaluate whether or not you need surgery or other emergency care:
First-degree
Second-degree For minor burns, including second-degree burns limited to an area no larger than 2 to 3 inches in diameter, take the following action: Cool the burn. Hold the burned area under cold running water for 15 minutes. If this is impractical, immerse the burn in cold water or cool it with cold compresses. Cooling the burn reduces swelling by conducting heat away from the skin. Consider a lotion. Once a burn is completely cooled, applying an aloe vera lotion prevents drying and makes you feel more comfortable. Cover the burn with a sterile gauze bandage. Don't use fluffy cotton, which may irritate the skin. Wrap the gauze loosely to avoid putting pressure on burned skin. Bandaging keeps air off the area, reduces pain, and protects blistered skin. Minor burns usually heal in about one to two weeks without further treatment. When they heal the area may look different. In other words, the area may be a different color from the surrounding skin. During any stage of healing, especially after the area healed, watch for signs of infection such as increased pain, redness, fever, swelling or oozing. If infection develops, treat it ASAP. Whatever you do in treating the burn, don't put ice on it. Putting ice directly on a burn can cause frostbite, further damaging your skin. Also, don't break blisters. Fluid-filled blisters protect against infection. If blisters break, wash the area with mild soap and water and cover with a gauze bandage. Clean and change dressings daily. The most serious burns are painless and involve all layers of the skin. Fat, muscle and even bone may be affected. Areas may be charred black or appear dry and white. For major burns dial 911 or call for emergency medical assistance. Until an emergency unit arrives, follow these steps: 1. Don't remove burnt clothing. However, do make sure the victim is no longer in contact with smoldering materials or exposed to smoke or heat. 2. Make sure the burn victim is breathing. If breathing has stopped or you suspect the person's airway is blocked, try to clear the airway and, if necessary, do cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). 3. Cover the area of the burn. Use a cool, moist sterile bandage or clean cloth. If a chemical burns the skin, follow these steps: 1. Remove the cause of the burn by flushing the chemicals off the skin surface with cool, running water for 20 minutes or more. If the burning chemical is a powder-like substance such as lime, brush it off the skin before flushing. 2. Remove clothing or jewelry that has been contaminated by the chemical. 3. Consider using a lotion, such as one containing aloe vera, to prevent drying and to make the skin feel more comfortable. 4. Wrap the burned area with a dry, sterile dressing or a clean cloth. 5. Rinse the burn again for several more minutes if the victim complains of increased burning after the initial washing. Minor chemical burns usually heal without further treatment. If you do not take the appropriate steps to alleviate situations in your life that allow you to get burned, you will always face the evitable. Continue reading to find out what you have to do in order to live a more productive live away from sources that can cause you pain and suffering from burns.
Related Site: Treatments: Treatments Programs:
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