Minor Burn Treatment

A minor burn injury is a situation that demands an immediate response, in the form of minor burn treatment, to make the victim as comfortable as possible. Most often these injuries are caused when the skin comes in contact with chemicals, electricity or a heat source. A high percentage of burns are minor burn injuries which do not require any form of skin burn treatment as they can heal on there own, if given enough time. They are easy to treat and care for. The severity of the burn is denoted by the terms, first, second, third and fourth degree injury. It is essential that you know, when to apply first-aid to treat a burn injury at home and when to take the patient to the hospital to seek professional help.

Degrees of Burn Injuries

1. First degree burn injury: A first degree burn injury is swollen and red in color. Absence of blisters in the affected part may signify that the injury is of the first degree. The outer layer of skin i.e. epidermis is affected because of the injury.
2. Second degree burn injury: the burn injury has affected the epidermis and a part or all of the dermis, i.e the layer of skin below the epidermis. This type of burn injury is marked by the presence of red blisters which is not altogether painful.
3. Third degree burn injury: In this case the entire dermis is affected and the sweat glands and hair follicles are destroyed.
4. Fourth degree burn injury: This type of burn injury extends to the bones.

Second, third and fourth degree burn injuries are severe hence require immediate hospitalization. The next section is a brief note on how to treat burns.

Minor Burn Treatment First Aid

If it is a young child that has received the minor burn injury, then, the most important thing is to provide the child with psychological support while providing the first aid burn treatment so that the child, in the bargain does not get scarred for life. It is also important to make the victim or the patient comfortable. Following are some tips on minor skin burn treatments:

1. Immediately after the minor burn injuries or injury, hold the affected part of the body under running water for some time to cool it.
2. Next, you should see to it that the wound is cleaned properly. Wash the wound with soap.
3. Using ice water and applying ice to the burned injury may lead to frostbite and is considered to be of more harm than good to a minor burn.
4. Apply antiseptic cream or aleo-vera to the affected part to sooth and cool it. If these things are not readily available you can use honey.
5. In an extreme case, apply mineral or petroleum jelly to cover the wound.
6. It is advisable to leave a minor burn open.
7. You may have to dress the wound in case of burns to the lower extremities. It is advisable to use non-sticky gauze or sterilized surgical cotton to dress the wound.
8. To get relief from the pain, ingest pain killers such as, ibuprofen or acetaminophen as per the instructions given with the tablets.
9. Wait and watch the injury site for blisters which is a clear indication that the patient needs professional attention and care.
10. If the patient has received first degree minor burn on his or her foot, professional advice states that that the patient must walk on it, however painful it is.
11. It pays to use the injured leg or legs because if you don't use it, it will swell which may lead to infection and may take a longer time to heal.
12. It is best to avoid using crutches or a wheel-chair while walking.

It is prudent to install all electrical outlets out of the reach of children. In a modern house which use electricity for lighting, heating and cooking etc, it is essential to be well versed with fire safety and adopt a few preventive measures such as possessing a fire extinguisher and installing a fire alarm system. It is easy to get wise after the incident, most people do, however, it is a better idea to take precautions to prevent anyone, including your child and you, from receiving a burn injury which will ideally eliminate the need to look up on minor burn treatments, isn't it!