Burns are skin damage that can by caused by a number of things, including heat, extreme cold, chemicals, electricity, friction and radiation. Treatment depends on the severity and the location of the burn. The severity of burns on the skin is measured on a scale from first-degree to third-degree. (Burns that destroy not only the skin but also the underlying tissue are classified as fourth-degree.) First-degree burns are minor -- mostly reddening of the skin -- and rarely need medical intervention. Second- and third-degree burns require immediate treatment.
Second-Degree Burns
A second-degree burn is when the first and second layers of skin have been burned and blisters begin to form. The burn usually causes pain and swelling.
Start treating a minor second-degree burn by running it under lukewarm-to-slightly cool water for at least 5 minutes or until pain has stopped. Do not use ice on the burn; ice could cause frostbite. Next, loosely wrap the burned area in a sterilized bandage to keep air away. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever such as aspirin, Tylenol or ibuprofen. But do not give aspirin to a child or teenager.
Third-Degree Burns
A third-degree burn is one that has burned through all of the skin layers. Skin usually turns white, and there is no pain or other sensation because the nerves have been destroyed.
Third-degree burns require professional medical care. Until such help is available, do not remove burned clothing, because doing so may cause more damage. However, if the clothing is posing a threat to safety -- if it's soaked in chemicals or gasoline, for example -- then remove it. Do not use cold water to treat third-degree burns. Cold water could send the victim into shock because the loss of skin reduces protection. Make sure that the burn victim still has a pulse, and elevate the burned area above the head until medical help is received. Dry, sterile gauze can be placed loosely over the burn, but do not use bandages.
Tags: burned area, burns require, have been, second-degree burn