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==== 1. #'''Cooling ===='''#* Hold the burned area under '''cold running water''' for at least '''10 minutes.'''#* '''Don’t use ice''', as this may stick to the skin and cause further damage.#'''Removing constrictions'''#* If you have burned a large area, '''remove any jewellery''' (e.g. rings) or '''tight clothing''' from the limb, in case it swells.#* Don’t pull away any ''' clothing stuck to the burn itself''' - this will need to be removed in hospital.#'''Blisters'''#* Try '''not to pop or damage blisters''', as this will increase the infection risk.#* If you can’t avoid this, rinse the burn under running water again to '''clean it before dressing,''' or use an alcohol-free saline wipe.#'''Dressing'''#* Don’t use standard plasters, as they may stick to the burn. If you don’t have a specialist burn dressing, you can dress it with '''clingfilm.'''#** '''Unroll and discard a couple of rounds''' before cutting your piece, to make sure that it’s clean.#** '''Cut a square''' to cover the burn and tape it at the edges. Don’t wrap it all the way around the limb - this might constrict circulation if the burned area swells up. #* Alternatively, you can dress the burn with a '''clean, unused plastic bag'''.
==== 2. Removing constrictions ====
* If you have burned a large area, '''remove any jewellery''' (e.g. rings) or '''tight clothing''' from the limb, in case it swells.
* Don’t pull away any ''' clothing stuck to the burn itself''' - this will need to be removed in hospital.
==== 3. Blisters ====
* Try '''not to pop or damage blisters''', as this will increase the infection risk.
* If you can’t avoid this, rinse the burn under running water again to '''clean it before dressing,''' or use an alcohol-free saline wipe.
==== 4. Dressing ====
* Don’t use standard plasters, as they may stick to the burn. If you don’t have a specialist burn dressing, you can dress it with '''clingfilm.'''
** '''Unroll and discard a couple of rounds''' before cutting your piece, to make sure that it’s clean.
** '''Cut a square''' to cover the burn and tape it at the edges. Don’t wrap it all the way around the limb - this might constrict circulation if the burned area swells up.
* Alternatively, you can dress the burn with a '''clean, unused plastic bag'''.
==== 5. Chemical burns ====
Chemical burns are particularly risky and need special treatment.
* Rinse them under running water for at least '''20 minutes''', tilting the burned area so that the contaminated water does not drip onto other parts of your body.
* '''Don’t try to ‘neutralise’ them''' with another substance - if one chemical reacts with another, this is likely to cause further damage.
* '''Don’t try to dress them''' at home: they will need hospital treatment.
First aid for self-harm resource: burns (view source)
Revision as of 12:39, 19 October 2020
, 12:39, 19 October 2020→How to treat
'''Cool''' the burn with water, remove any '''tight jewellery or clothing, leave '''blisters''' intact, and '''dress''' with clingfilm. '''Chemical burns''' require special treatment.
:'''Chemical burns'''
:Chemical burns are particularly risky and need special treatment.
:* Rinse them under running water for at least '''20 minutes''', tilting the burned area so that the contaminated water does not drip onto other parts of your body.
:* '''Don’t try to ‘neutralise’ them''' with another substance - if one chemical reacts with another, this is likely to cause further damage.
:* '''Don’t try to dress them''' at home: they will need hospital treatment.
=== Call an ambulance if... ===
