General Rules for Their Treatment
A burn is caused under the following conditions:1. Physically touching with a live current or even lightning
2. Contact with fire, burning metal or even the Sun.
3. Contact with combustible substances like sulphuric acid, caustic soda and many others.
A scald is an injury that is caused by liquid heat such as boiling water, steam, burning oil or even coal tar. In both cases the pain is intense and there is shock caused by great pain and loss of plasma.
The following rules should be followed while giving first aid for a person with burns or scalds...
1. Wash thoroughly your hands before you manage the affected area.
2. Do not apply cosmetic applications of any kind.
3. Bind the area with an aseptic dressing if you can get it soon or fix a clean cloth.
4. Attend to the shock.
If the condition of the patient is major as in a big burn dispatch him to the nearest hospital when you can. Most likely he will be given a strong anaesthetic, so do not give him anything oral like water. If the person cannot be transferred to a hospital for hours then give him water mixed with salt in the ratio of half a teaspoon to two glasses. Add a teaspoon of sodium bicarbonate if it can be got. If the condition is mild give him large quantities of fluids like tea and sugar. If the face is burnt cover it with cloth mask with a hole in it for breathing.
How to treat burns caused by corrosive chemicals...
Hurry up to prevent further damage
(a) When the burning substance is an acid...
1. Rinse the part thoroughly with water.
2. Wash the part with warm water mixed with baking soda to neutralize the acidity.
3. Follow the general rules for burns but do not forget to remove the contaminated clothing to prevent further acidic injury.
(b) When the burning substance is alkaline like caustic soda...
1. Remove all traces of soda from the affected part.
2. Wash the part with clean water.
3. Wash the part with an acidic solution like lemon juice or even vinegar. Dilute with water.
4. Apply the other rules for burns but remove the contaminated clothing soon.
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