Treatment for Burns
Mild Burns
The area with very mild type of
burns should first be held under running cold water or soaked in cold water for about 5 min. The burnt area can also be covered with a clean, wet cloth for a few minutes. Following this, the area must be covered with a dry, clean clothing or sterile bandage. Certain moisturizing lotions or ointments may also be applied over the burnt area.
Pain and inflammation can be reduced by taking certain over-the-counter pain-relieving medications such as ibuprofen.
Moderate and Severe Burns
Second- and third-degree burns are to be treated at the hospital only. Life-threatening conditions such as airway block, shock or heart abnormalities are accordingly dealt by following life-saving measures. Once the individual becomes stable, the severity of the injuries is determined and appropriate steps are followed. Severe burns leads to loss of body fluids. The fluid loss is determined and appropriate measures are taken by the doctors and hospital staff to revive the fluids. The condition of the individual is monitored on a regular basis till the individual recovers. Along with these steps, the doctor can advise certain medications either to be applied on the injuries or to be taken orally to counter the pain and inflammatory responses observed.1,2,3
Written by: Healthplus24 team
Date last modified: January 08, 2009
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