A burn is a destruction of the skin and sometimes deeper tissue. The burn maybe superficial or deep.
Causes
Fire
Hot liquids e.g water, steam, soap.
Hot metallic objects
Caustic chemicals e.g acid or alkali
Electricity
Symptoms
Pain, which may be severe
Patient may have difficulty in breathing if he has inhaled hot fumes or hot air.
Vomiting may occur.
The patient may be unconscious
Signs
Shock cold clammy skin, weak rapid pulse, low blood pressure
Presence of a burn
Pain on sterile pin prick of burn area indicates burn is superficial and will heal well if infection is prevented.
No pain on sterile pin prick indicates deep burn
Treatment
Treatment objectives
To relieve pain
To replace fluid lost
To prevent infection of burn wound
To aid healing of the burn wound
To avoid complications
Non pharmacological treatment
All burns due to hot liquids or steam should be put under the tap or into cool clean water immediately, they happen and left in or under water for 10-15 minutes.
Do not break blisters
Do not smear oily substances on burns. If it is necessary to cover the wound then use Vaseline gauze (deep burns, circumferential burns, infected burns).
Chapter no. 6 commonly using medicine with brand name by naseem sherzad house Job guide book.
