First -degree burn

What is it?

A burn is an injury to the tissues of the body. A first-degree

burn is the least serious type of burn because it injures only the
top layers of skin, called the epidermis.

Who gets it?

Anyone can get a first-degree burn. Children are especially at

risk for first-degree burns from hot water that is greater than
120 degrees Fahrenheit (49 degrees Celsius).

What causes it?

First-degree burns are most often caused by brief contact with

either dry or moist heat (called a thermal burn) or chemicals;
spending too much time in the sun (sunburn); or friction (such
as by rubbing the skin against a rug or rope). When a burn is
caused by hot water or steam, it is called a scald.

The most common sources of heat that cause first-degree

burns are hot water, cigarettes, hot grease, and hot beverages.

What are the symptoms?

Skin with a first-degree burn is red, sore, and sensitive to the

touch. It may also be moist, slightly swollen, or itchy.

What is the treatment?

Minor burns can be treated at home.

1-Remove any jewelry or clothing on the burned area.

2- Wet a hand towel or cloth with cold water. Put the cloth on
the burned area until the pain goes away. If pain persists, run
the burned area under cool water for 10 minutes, don’t use ice
or ice.

3- Cover the burned area with a clean, sterile gauze pad (should
be little loose). Doing this will prevent infection.

Never apply butter or oils. Go to the doctor immediately if

redness and pain do not decrease within a few days; if the
redness, pain, swelling, or fever increases.

Self-care tips

Many burns occur at home and could have been prevented.

You can avoid first-degree burns by handling hot liquids and
objects carefully.

Make sure electrical cords are in good condition, household

chemicals are safely stored and labeled, and hot beverages and
objects are out of reach of small children.

When handling chemicals, wear protective gloves and eyewear,

and follow label directions for safe handling. Never wear
clothing with long, loose sleeves while cooking or around any
type of open fire. Never put a child into a tub unless you have
first tested the water temperature. You can guard against burns
from hot water by keeping your hot water heater set lower
than 120 degrees Fahrenheit (49 degrees Celsius). Children
should also sleep in flame-resistant pajamas or nightgowns. Do
not smoke, or make sure discarded cigarettes are completely
extinguished. Teach your children fire safety and make sure
they do not have access to matches or lighters. You can also
protect you and your family from burns by making sure you
have operating smoke detectors on every floor of your house.
Also check the temperature of a child’s car seat or seat belt
before buckling the child in. Even these objects can cause burns
after a period of time in direct sunlight. Never allow children to
handle fireworks without adult supervision. Fireworks are a
leading cause of burns and other injuries.

You can avoid sunburns by using a sunscreen of at least a 15

SPF rating. Apply sunscreen liberally at least 20 minutes before
sun exposure and reapply after swimming or sweating. Avoid
spending time in the sun from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., when the rays
are strongest.

A second-degree
What is it?

A second-degree burn injures the top layers of skin, called the

epidermis, and extends down to the deeper layers of skin,
called the dermis.

What causes it?

Most second-degree burns are caused by contact with flames,

hot liquids, or chemicals, or by severe sunburns.

What are the symptoms?

Skin with a second-degree burn is extremely red and blistered,

and may look wet because of fluid loss.

Second degree burns are very painful. Small second-degree

burns usually heal without scarring.

What is the treatment?

If the burn was caused by fire, and the victim’s clothing is on

fire, put down any flames with a blanket or water.

If the burn has blisters that are not open, first remove any
clothing or jewelry from the injured area. Then, hold the
burned area under cool running water for around 10 minutes
to stop the burning process. However, don’t use ice or ice
water because they will further damage the tissue. Do not
break open the blisters, or there will be a greater risk of
infection. If the blisters are open, don’t remove any clothing
that might be stuck to the burn, and don’t run water over the
burn. Whether the blisters are broken or not, you can place a
dry, sterile gauze pad over the burn.

If the burned area is larger, lightly drape a clean sheet over it to

protect it until you get medical treatment.

Never apply butter, oils, or burn ointments. . Arms or legs that

are burned should be kept raised to reduce the amount of
swelling. If the face or neck are burned, raise the person’s head
slightly. This will also help if he or she is having trouble
breathing

A second-degree burn can take from 10 days to 3 weeks to

heal.

Self-care tips

Exposure and reapply after swimming or sweating. Avoid

spending time in the sun from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., when the rays
are strongest.

Third-degree burn
What is it?
A third-degree burn is the most serious because it destroys all the layers
of the skin.

What causes it?

Being in contact with acidic chemicals, flames, electricity, or extremely
hot objects;

What are the symptoms?

Skin with a third-degree burn may appear white or black and leathery on
the surface. Because the nerve endings in the skin are destroyed, the
burned area may not be painful, but the area around the burn may be
extremely painful. Some areas of the burn may appear bright red, or
may blister .The tissue will be damaged

What is the treatment?

All third-degree burns require medical treatment. It should be
considered a medical emergency that requires hospital treatment,
usually in a burn unit.

Call 911, or get the person to an emergency room as soon as possible. If

the person is on fire, do not let him or her run. Put down any flames
with a blanket, jacket, or water, if available .Remove any clothing or
jewelry from the injured area, but DO NOT remove clothing if it is stuck
to the burn.

Wash the burned area in cold water very slowly .Don’t use ice or ice
water because they will further damage the tissue. Do not break open
any blisters, or there will be a greater risk of infection. If the blisters are
open, don’t remove any clothing that might be stuck to the burn, and
don’t run water over the burn.

Never apply butter, oils, or burn ointments. They make it more difficult
for the burn to heal and can actually make the burn worse because the
heat can’t escape. Arms or legs that are burned should be kept raised to
reduce the amount of swelling.