Burns and Scalds

Overview

Burns and scalds are damage to the skin usually caused by heat. Both are treated in the same way.

What is a burn?

A burn is caused by dry heat – by an iron or fire, for example. 

What is a scald?

A scald is caused by something wet, such as hot water or steam.

Signs and Symptoms

Burns can be very painful and may cause:

• red or peeling skin
• blisters
• swelling
• white or charred skin

The amount of pain you feel is not always related to how serious the burn is. Even a very serious burn may be relatively painless.

Immediate First Aid Steps

To treat a burn, follow the first aid advice below:

• Stop the burning process as soon as possible. This may mean removing the person from the area, dousing flames with water, or smothering flames with a blanket. Do not put yourself at risk of getting burnt as well.
• Remove any clothing or jewellery near the burnt area of skin, including babies' nappies. But do not try to remove anything that's stuck to the burnt skin, as this could cause more damage.
• Cool the burn with cool or lukewarm running water for 20 minutes as soon as possible after the injury. Never use ice, iced water, or any creams or greasy substances like butter.
• Keep yourself or the person warm. Use a blanket or layers of clothing, but avoid putting them on the injured area. Keeping warm will prevent hypothermia, where a person's body temperature drops below 35°C (95F). This is a risk if you're cooling a large burnt area, particularly in young children and elderly people.
• Cover the burn with cling film. Lay the cling film over the burn, rather than wrapping it around a limb. A clean, clear plastic bag can be used for burns on your hand.
• Treat the pain from a burn with paracetamol or ibuprofen. Always check the manufacturer's instructions when using over-the-counter medication. Children under 16 years of age should not be given aspirin.
• Raise the affected area, if possible. This will help to reduce swelling.

When To Seek Medical Help

Once you have taken these steps, you'll need to decide whether further medical treatment is necessary. 

Call an ambulance or seek immediate medical help (e.g. Emergency Department) if:

• large burns bigger than the size of the affected person's hand
• deep burns of any size that cause white or charred skin
• burns on the face, neck, hands, feet, any joints, or genitals
• all chemical and electrical burns
• any other injuries that need treating
• any signs of shock – symptoms include cold, clammy skin, sweating, rapid, shallow breathing, and weakness or dizziness

You should also go to hospital if you or the person who has been burned:

• is under the age of 10
• has a medical condition, such as heart, lung or liver disease, or diabetes
• has a weakened immune system (the body's defence system) – for example, because of HIV or AIDS, or because they're having chemotherapy for cancer
• has breathed in smoke or fumes

Some symptoms may be delayed, and can include:

• coughing
• a sore throat
• difficulty breathing
• singed nasal hair
• facial burns

You should also go to the Emergency Department if you have been injured intentionally, or think someone has been injured intentionally.

Electrical Burns

Electrical burns may not look serious, but they can be very damaging. 

Someone who has an electrical burn should seek immediate medical attention at an Emergency Department.

If the person has been injured by a low-voltage source (up to 220 to 240 volts), such as a domestic electricity supply, safely switch off the power supply or remove the person from the electrical source using a material that doesn't conduct electricity, such as a wooden stick or a wooden chair.

Do not approach a person who's connected to a high-voltage source (1,000 volts or more).

Acid and Chemical Burns

Acid and chemical burns can be very damaging and require immediate medical attention at an Emergency Department.

 Call an ambulance for immediate medical help.

If you're helping someone else, you should: 

1. put on appropriate protective clothing, such as gloves
2. remove any contaminated clothing on the person
3. if the chemical is dry, brush it off their skin
4. use cool running water to remove any traces of the chemical from the burnt area for at least 20 minutes

Be careful not to contaminate and injure yourself with the chemical, and wear protective clothing if necessary.

If possible, find out what chemical caused the burn and tell the healthcare professionals at Emergency Department.

Sunburn

Follow this advice for sunburn:

• If you notice any signs of sunburn, such as hot, red and painful skin, move into the shade or preferably inside.
• Take a cool bath or shower for 10 minutes to cool down the burnt area of skin.
• Apply aftersun lotion to the affected area to moisturise, cool and soothe it. Don't use greasy or oily products.
• If you have any pain, paracetamol or ibuprofen should help relieve it. Always read the manufacturer's instructions and do not give aspirin to children under the age of 16.
• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
• Watch out for signs of heat exhaustion or heatstroke, where the temperature inside your body rises to 37 to 40°C (98.6 to 104°F) or above. Symptoms include dizziness, a rapid pulse or vomiting.

If a person with heat exhaustion is taken to a cool place quickly, given water to drink and has their clothing loosened, they should start to feel better within half an hour.

If a person with heat exhaustion does not feel better within half an hour, they could develop heatstroke. This is a medical emergency and you'll need to call for an ambulance.