Burns Health Article

Do Not

• DO NOT apply ointment, butter, ice, medications, cream, oil spray, or any household remedy to a severe burn.
• DO NOT breathe, blow, or cough on the burn.
• DO NOT disturb blistered or dead skin.
• DO NOT remove clothing that is stuck to the skin.
• DO NOT give the person anything by mouth, if there is a severe burn.
• DO NOT immerse a severe burn in cold water. This can cause shock.
• DO NOT place a pillow under the person's head if there is an airway burn. This can close the airway.

Call immediately for emergency medical assistance if

Call 911 if:

• The burn is extensive (the size of your palm or larger).
• The burn is severe (third degree).
• You aren't sure how serious it is.
• The burn is caused by chemicals or electricity.
• The person shows signs of shock.
• The person inhaled smoke.
• Physical abuse is the known or suspected cause of the burn.

Call a doctor if your pain is still present after 48 hours.

Call immediately if signs of infection develop. These signs include increased pain, redness, swelling, drainage or pus from the burn, swollen lymph nodes, red streaks spreading from the burn, or fever.

Also call immediately if there are signs of dehydration: thirst, dry skin, dizziness, lightheadedness, or decreased urination. Children, elderly, and anyone with a weakened immune system (for example, HIV) should be seen right away.

Prevention

To help prevent burns:

• Install smoke alarms in your home. Check and change batteries regularly.
• Teach children about fire safety and the hazards of matches and fireworks.
• Keep children from climbing on top of a stove or grabbing hot items like irons and oven doors.
• Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove so that children can't grab them and they can't be accidentally knocked over.
• Place fire extinguishers in key locations at home, work, and school.
• Remove electrical cords from floors and keep them out of reach.
• Know about and practice fire escape routes at home, work, and school.
• Set temperature of water heater at 120 degrees or less.

References

Marx JA, Hockberger RS, Walls RM, eds. Rosen’s Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 5th ed. St. Louis, Mo.: London: Mosby; 2002.

Townsend, Jr., CM, ed. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 17th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier; 2004.

Roberts JR, Hedges JR, eds. Clinical Procedures in Emergency Medicine. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders; 2004.