Burns and Scalds

Burns are an umbrella term* for burns and scalds. They refer to heat-related injuries that you get from anything: hot water, fire, electricity, etc. Scalds specifically refer to heat-related injuries sustained from liquids, such as hot water, hot drinks, or steam.

What you might see:

There are different severity levels of burns, ranging from 1st (least severe) to 3rd degree (most severe). You are very unlikely to encounter third degree burns, but it is still useful to be able to distinguish the different degrees.

First degree burns:

• Pain

• Redness

• Swelling

• No blisters

Second degree burns:

• Pain

• Redness

• Swelling

• Peeling skin

• Blisters

Third degree burns:

• Skin is often burnt away

• Tissue beneath is blackened

• Skin can appear dry, leathery, waxy

• Skin can appear brown, black, or white

• Often painless because of nerve damage

• Often surrounded by second degree burns

Visual representation of different burn severities.

What to do:

1. Run the burn under lukewarm* (not ice-cold) water for 15-20 minutes.

   • This cools the burn without causing further damage because of the sudden change in temperature.

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Stretch!

Cold water can constrict blood vessels, reducing blood flow to already damaged tissue, worsening tissue damage. Lukewarm water helps dissipate heat without causing vasoconstriction.

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2. Apply cling film or sterile (non-fluffy, so non-sticky) dressing.

3. Do not pop any blisters - take care to avoid popping them as it can lead to infection risks

4. Treat for shock if necessary.

5. Call for emergency services if:

   • Severe second-degree or third-degree burn

   • Does not heal on its own

   • Infection sets in

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Summary:

Burns are injuries caused by heat. There are three severity levels of burns, with first-degree being the least severe, and third-degree being the most. If your burn is first-degree or mild second-degree, run it under lukewarm water and apply clingfilm/non-sticky dressing.

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Glossary:

Umbrella term: a word that is a general way of talking about many other sub-groups.

Lukewarm: not too cold, not too warm.

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For Older Learners:

Use these questions to challenge yourself!

1. Why do third-degree burns cause no pain, while first- and second-degree ones do?

2. How do burns disrupt homeostasis?

3. Burns can often be difficult to look at and touch while treating. As a first responder, how would you balance your feelings and gut reactions - like nausea or disgust, which could be alienating for the casualty - while treating them professionally?

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