A burn is damage to the skin or body caused by flame, chemicals, friction, electricity or radiation.

Burns are classified as:

• Superficial (painful) affecting the outer layer of skin
• Partial Thickness (painful) affecting a deeper layer, the dermis
• Deep full thickness (painless) affecting all layers of skin and tissues underneath

Patients with facial, neck and inhalation burns can have difficulty maintaining their airway and deteriorate rapidly. Burns to the face, hands, genitals and feet should always be referred for medical attention. Dial 000 or 112 from a mobile for an ambulance.

Always ensure it is safe for you to treat the injured person.

Treatment for Contact Burns:

• Stop the burning process – get the person to Stop, Drop, Cover and Roll to help smother the flames.
• Immediately run cool running water over the burn for 20 minutes. This is effective up to three hours after the injury. Cooling for longer than 20 minutes is not needed.
• If possible remove all jewellery or constrictive clothing that has not adhered to the skin.
• Remove wet clothing that is not sticking to the skin as hot fluids retain heat.
• Cover the burnt area loosely with cling wrap (not the face) longitudinally along the burn rather than around the burn. Or use other lint-free dressing.
• Keep the rest of the person covered and warm. Remember, cool the burn, warm the patient.
• If it is an arm or leg that is burnt elevate the limb to reduce swelling.
• Never use ice, creams or lotions as first aid for burns and do not pop the blisters.

Electrical burns such as lightning strikes can cause other injuries including cardiac arrest and loss of consciousness. In these cases, you will need to turn off the power without touching the person if safe to do so and commence CPR if needed. Call an ambulance.

Treatment for Chemical burns

• Remove contaminated clothing, taking care to avoid contact with the chemical.
• Dilute the chemical by immediately running cool running water on the area for one hour or until the stinging stops.
• If the eyes are affected flush immediately and continuedly. Call the ambulance. Flushing is more important initially though than transfer to hospital. If only one eye is affected place that side of the head down to avoid spread to the unaffected eye.
• Refer to the Safety Data Sheet for specific treatment if available.
• Call the Poisons Information Centre for advice 13 11 26
• Do NOT use cling wrap for chemical burns as you may be keeping part of the chemical within the wound.

Burns are often treated with special ‘wet dressings’ e.g. Acticoat which can be left in place for several days. Some of these dressings contain silver which helps prevent the growth of bacteria and must be kept dry in between visits to the Doctor or Hospital. It’s important to give pain relief initially and again before dressings. 

Being able to provide early, effective burn treatment gives the best opportunity for wound healing.

Margaret Bates
School Nurse