Incidents of fire outbreaks are increasingly common, causing property damage and sometimes resulting in burns or scalds among members. What should you do if someone sustains a burn or scald?
If no blisters have formed, immediately rinse or soak the affected area in cool water for 15 to 30 minutes. Gently apply dry gauze without rubbing to avoid breaking the skin. If blisters have formed—especially if the skin is broken—do not rinse with water or rupture the blisters. If clothing is stuck to the skin, do not pull it off; instead, cut away the fabric around the wound and apply an ice pack promptly to reduce swelling.
For extensive or severe burns:
Do not apply any substances to the wound. Keep the affected area clean and intact. Cover the burn with a clean sheet or shirt and seek immediate medical attention for initial treatment.
Early first aid is crucial for children's burns. Parents should remain calm. If blisters form immediately and pain is noticeable, it indicates a superficial burn. Immediately immerse or rinse the affected area in cold or ice water for 30 minutes to an hour. Once the pain subsides, gently remove clothing, cover the wound with a clean cloth, bandage it, and seek medical attention.Early cold water treatment significantly benefits wound healing:
First, it alleviates pain;
Second, it reduces swelling and minimizes deep tissue damage caused by residual heat;
Third, it decreases toxic substances at the wound site. "If the burn area is large or deep, cold water treatment may worsen systemic reactions. Immediate hospital transport is essential."
For burns on the face, neck, perineum, or similar areas, in addition to emergency cold water treatment, give the victim diluted salt water to drink. This replenishes blood volume and reduces shock severity.
Never apply substances like soy sauce, vinegar, alkali, toothpaste, or purple medicine to the burn. Not only will this fail to alleviate the injury, but it will further irritate the wound and worsen the damage.
For chemical burns caused by acids:
Do not rinse with cold water. First blot dry with a cloth and seek immediate medical attention. Do not apply soy sauce, toothpaste, topical ointments, red mercurochrome, or purple mercurochrome to the mouth or skin; seek hospital treatment. Keep common medications on hand at home.