Heat Burn Handling Tips

< P>Among the uncommon emergencies that we get in OPD (office) practice, burns cause by hot liquids like tea, coffee, and steam are prominent. In most cases parents have a tendency to immediately some easily available household product that can range from oil, ghee, haldi (turmeric) to even toothpaste!

Would you know what to do if a family member got a thermal burn?

That’s the term for a burn caused by contact with open flame, hot liquid, a hot surface, or other source of high heat.
Do you know the 4 C’s of burn care (Univ of Missouri)?
Cool the wound, Clean the wound, Cover the wound and Call the doctor
Get the victim away from the heat source as quickly and safely as possible.
Cool the burn with cold water (not ICE/ ice water).
Cover the area with a sterile pad or clean sheet.
Maintain the person’s body temperature and take the victim to the nearest medical facility.

Do not apply oils, sprays or ointments to a serious burn.
For eye burns, seek medical opinion immediately; do NOT put eye drops/ ointments.

In case of a small burn, you may apply an antiseptic cream before seeking medical advice.
If the burn is larger than the size of the palm (in adults) do seek out a doctor.

For all pediatric (child) burns, seek the help of a doctor.
DO NOT puncture blisters, they are sterile and prevent infection.
In case of limb burns, remove constricting things like rings, bangles, belt, boots etc. as it may be difficult to remove them later due to swelling.

For The Doctor – Treatment Advise

The doctor needs to assess the degree of the burns (calculate body percentage area), and the severity of the burn (first / second / third degree) so that they can assess the need for hospitalization versus Out Patient Treatment. A tetanus shot (if not received within the last 5 years), and a pain killer and possibly antibiotics would be given along with a sterile dressing. The dressing can be done using KOLLAGEN-M (collagen dressing) which is an excellent artificial skin equivalent that can help in faster recovery and less need for repeated dressings. Otherwise a sterile BACTIGRAS (Smith & Nephew Health Care- antiseptic covered gauze) dressing is cheaper and pretty effective though the healing is slower and multiple dressings would be needed.

Heat burn can be very severe so proper care is necessary.