Have your hands or arms burned while using the stove? Are you unsure what to do or how severe the burn is? Here are some steps you can take to ensure safety and treat burns.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Assessing the Situation
Step 1. Safe the surrounding environment
As soon as it catches fire, stop what you are doing. Safeguard the environment by turning off any sources of ignition or grills so that others are not injured. If the fire is too large, leave the area immediately and call emergency services.
- If the burn is chemical, stop the activity and empty the area for safety. Remove the chemical from the skin if possible. Use a brush for dry chemicals, or rinse the burn with cold water.
- If the burn was caused by an electronic device, turn off the power source and move away from the cable.
Step 2. Call for help
If the fire in your home is too big, call 113 to call the fire department. Call poison control if you're not sure if a chemical might cause other side effects. For burns from electronic devices, call emergency services if the wires are still on, or if the burn was caused by high-voltage wires or lightning.
- If you are not sure that the cable is still on, do not touch the cable directly. Touch with a dry, non-conducting material such as wood or plastic.
- People with burns from electronic devices should seek medical attention, as the current can disrupt the body's natural electrical impulses and cause severe side effects.
Step 3. Check for burned hands
Look at the burn area to assess the severity. Pay attention to the location of the burn on the hand. Observe the appearance of the burn and note the prominent characteristics. This will help determine the type of burn you have. Burns are classified as grade one, two, or three, depending on how far the skin is burned. First-degree burns are the mildest, while third-degree burns are the most severe. The methods used to treat burns vary depending on the grade.
- If the burn is on the palm of the hand, seek medical attention immediately. Burns on the palms can cause long-term physical barriers.
- If you have circular burns on your fingers (burns around one or more fingers), seek medical attention immediately. This type of burn can block blood flow and in severe cases the finger may need to be amputated if left untreated.
Method 2 of 3: Treating First Degree Burns
Step 1. Identify first-degree burns
These wounds only injure the top layer of the skin, the epidermis. First-degree burns are burns that are slightly swollen and red in color. This wound is also painful. When pressed, the skin will turn white as soon as the pressure is released. If the burn doesn't blister or open but is simply reddened skin, you have a first-degree burn.
- If minor burns cover the hands, face or respiratory tract, most of the hands, feet, groin, buttocks, or major joints, it is advisable to see a doctor.
- Sunburns are common first-degree burns, unless blisters are present.
Step 2. Treat first-degree burns
If you believe you have a first-degree burn by appearance and pain, immediately but calmly go to the sink. Place your hand or arm under the faucet and rinse with cold water for 15-20 minutes. This will draw heat away from the skin and reduce swelling.
- You can also use a bowl of cold water and soak the injured area in it for a few minutes. This will also remove heat from the skin, reduce swelling, and prevent as much scarring as possible.
- Do not use ice cubes because it can cause frostbite on the burned skin if it is placed too long on the skin. In addition, the skin around the burn can also be damaged if exposed to ice cubes.
- You also shouldn't apply butter or blow on the burn. This does nothing and can increase the risk of infection.
Step 3. Remove the jewelry
Burns can cause swelling, which can make jewelry on the burned hand tighten, block circulation, or stick to the skin. Remove any jewelry on the burned hand, such as rings or bracelets.
Step 4. Apply aloe vera or ointment to the burn
If you have an aloe vera plant, break off one of the undersides of the leaf near the center of the stem. Remove the thorns, cut the leaves lengthwise, and apply the gel to the burn. The gel will immediately give a cooling sensation. This is a good pain reliever for first-degree burns.
- If you don't have an aloe vera plant, you can use a gel containing 100% aloe that is sold in stores.
- Do not apply aloe vera to open wounds.
Step 5. Take painkillers if necessary
Common painkillers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), naproxen (Aleve), or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) are considered safe for short-term use.
Step 6. Watch for burns
Burns can get worse within a few hours. After washing and treating the burn, monitor the wound to make sure it doesn't turn into a second-degree burn. If so, consider getting medical treatment.
Method 3 of 3: Treating Second Degree Burns
Step 1. Identify second-degree burns
These burns are more severe than first-degree burns because they reach the deeper layers of the epidermis (dermis). This does not mean you need medical treatment. Burns are dark red and cause blisters on the skin. These sores are more swollen and have more patches than first-degree burns, with more red skin, which can look wet or shiny. The burned area looks white or black.
- If the burn is larger than 3 inches, consider it a third-degree burn and seek medical attention immediately.
- Common causes of second-degree burns include scalding hot water, being struck by fire, contact with very hot objects, intense sunlight, chemical burns, and short circuits.
Step 2. Remove the jewelry
Burns can cause swelling, which can make jewelry on the burned hand tighten, block circulation, or stick to the skin. Remove any jewelry on the burned hand, such as rings or bracelets.
Step 3. Wash the burn
Treatment for second-degree burns is almost the same as for first-degree burns. When you burn, quickly but calmly, go to the sink and place your hand or arm under a stream of cold water for 15-20 minutes. This will remove heat from the skin and reduce swelling. If there are blisters, don't pop them. This helps the healing process. Cracking the blisters can lead to infection and hinder healing.
Do not apply butter or ice cubes to the burn. Also, don't blow on the burn as this can increase the risk of infection
Step 4. Apply antibiotic cream
Because second-degree burns reach deeper layers of the skin, there is a greater chance of infection. Apply an antibiotic cream to the burned area before dressing it.
Silver sulfadiazine (Silvadene) is a common antibiotic ointment used for burns. Usually this ointment can be purchased in the market without a prescription. Use cream in large quantities so that it absorbs into the skin for a long time
Step 5.
Clean the cracked blister.
If the blisters burst on their own or accidentally, don't panic. Clean with mild soap and clean water. Apply antibiotic ointment and cover the burn with a new bandage.
Change the bandage every day. Burn bandages should be changed daily to prevent infection. Remove and discard the old bandage. Wash the burn with cold water, avoid soap. Don't rub the skin. Let the water run over it for a few minutes. Pat dry with a clean towel. Apply burn cream, antibiotic ointment, or aloe to the burn to help it heal. Cover with a new sterile bandage.
If all or most of the wound has healed, you won't need the bandage anymore
Make a homemade honey ointment. The benefits of honey in treating burns are supported by several studies, although doctors consider it an alternative treatment. Take a teaspoon of honey to cover the burn. Apply honey on the wound. Honey is a natural antiseptic and protects wounds from bacteria, without harming healthy skin. The low PH level and high osmolarity of honey aids healing. It is better to use honey for medicinal purposes instead of honey for cooking.
- Research shows that honey may be a better alternative to silver sulfadiazine ointment.
- The bandage should be changed every day. If the wound gets wet easily, change the bandage more often.
- If the burn cannot be closed, apply honey every 6 hours. Honey also helps cool burns.
Watch for burns. Burns can get worse within a few hours. After washing and treating the burn, monitor the wound to make sure it doesn't turn into a third-degree burn. If so, seek medical attention immediately.
During the healing process, watch for signs and symptoms of infection such as pus coming out of the wound, fever, swelling, or increasing redness of the skin. If any of these occur, seek medical care
Treating Third Degree Burns and Severe Burns
-
Recognize severe burns. Any burn can be severe if it is located in a joint or covers a large part of the body. Wounds are also called severe if the victim has complications in vital organs or difficulty in activities due to burns. Wounds like these should be treated like third-degree burns, with medical care as soon as possible.
Treat a Hand Burn Step 18 -
Recognize third degree burns. If the burn bleeds or looks a little black, you may have a third-degree burn. Third-degree burns burn all layers of the skin: the epidermis, dermis, and the fat layer beneath. These sores can look white, brown, yellow, or black. Skin looks dry or rough. Wounds are less painful than first- or second-degree burns because nerves have been damaged or destroyed. Wounds like these require medical treatment “as soon as possible”. Call emergency services or go to the emergency department at a hospital.
Treat a Hand Burn Step 19 - These burns can become infected and the skin may not be able to regrow properly.
- If clothing sticks to the burn, don't just pull on the clothing. Immediately ask for help.
-
Act immediately. If someone near you suffers third-degree burns, call 118 immediately. While waiting for help to arrive, check to see if the victim is still conscious. Checking for consciousness is done by gently shaking the victim. If there is no response, look for signs of movement or breathing. If the victim is not breathing, give artificial respiration if you are trained.
Treat a Hand Burn Step 20 - If you don't know how to give artificial respiration, you can ask a medical officer for instructions over the phone. Don't try to empty your airway or give a breath if you don't know how to give artificial respiration. Instead, just focus on chest compressions.
- Lay the victim in a supine position. Kneel beside his shoulder. Place both hands in the center of the victim's chest, and adjust your shoulders so that they are directly above your hands with your arms and elbows straight. Press your hands to your chest at about 100 pressures per minute.
-
Treat burn victims. While waiting for help to arrive, remove distracting clothing and jewelry. Do not do this if clothing or jewelry sticks to the burn. If so, leave it alone and wait for help to arrive. If removed, it can pull on the skin and cause more serious injury. You should also keep yourself (or the patient) warm, as severe burns can result in shock.
Treat a Hand Burn Step 21 - Do not immerse the burn in water as in minor burns. This can result in hypothermia. If possible, elevate the burned area higher than the chest to reduce swelling.
- Do not give any painkillers. Do not give anything that might interfere with emergency medical care.
- Do not crack blisters, scratch dead skin, or apply aloe vera or ointment.
-
Cover the burn. If possible, cover the wound to prevent infection. Use a material that won't stick to the burn, such as gauze or a damp bandage. If the bandage sticks as a result of the wound being too severe, wait for the officers to arrive.
Treat a Hand Burn Step 22 You can use plastic wrap. Plastic wrap has proven to be an effective bandage when used for a short time. Plastic protects the wound while limiting the transmission of external organisms from adhering to the burn
-
Get treatment at the hospital. Once you arrive at the hospital, the staff will immediately go to work to ensure the burn is treated effectively. They may start by giving intravenous fluids to replace electrolytes that are lost from the body. They will also clean the burn, which can be very painful. The staff may give you painkillers. They will also apply an ointment or cream to the burn and cover it with a sterile bandage. If needed, they will create a warm, moist environment to help the burn heal.
Treat a Hand Burn Step 23 - They can ask a nutritionist to recommend a high-protein diet to help with the healing process.
- If necessary, the doctor will discuss a skin transplant with you. A skin transplant is done by taking a piece of skin from another part of the body to cover the burned area.
- Make sure hospital staff teach you how to change bandages at home. After discharge from the hospital, the bandage needs to be changed. Continue to visit the doctor to make sure the wound is healing properly.
Suggestion
- If you have any concerns or questions about burns, contact your doctor for more information.
- It is likely that the wound will leave a scar, especially if the wound is severe.
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-chemical-burns/basics/art-20056667
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-electrical-burns/basics/art-20056687
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-electrical-burns/basics/art-20056687
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-electrical-burns/basics/art-20056687
- https://www.medicinenet.com/burns/page4.htm
- https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=90&ContentID=P01744
- https://www.woundsresearch.com/article/1179
- https://www.emedicinehealth.com/chemical_burns/page4_em.htm#when_to_seek_medical_care
- https://www.medicinenet.com/burns/page3.htm
- https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=90&ContentID=P01744
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-burns/basics/art-20056649
- https://www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/HealthTopicDetails.aspx?p=240&np=297&id=2529
- https://www.sharecare.com/health/skin-burn-treatment/why-shouldnt-treat-burn-ice
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-burns/basics/art-20056649
- https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000030.htm
- https://www.medicinenet.com/burns/page4.htm
- https://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/aloe
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-burns/basics/art-20056649
- https://www.medicinenet.com/burns/article.htm
- https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=90&ContentID=P01757
- https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=90&ContentID=P01757
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-burns/basics/art-20056649
- https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=90&ContentID=P01757
- https://www.medicinenet.com/burns/page4.htm
- https://www.askdrsears.com/topics/health-concerns/skin-care/burns
- https://www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/HealthTopicDetails.aspx?p=240&np=297&id=2529
- https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000030.htm
- https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=90&ContentID=P01757
- https://www.medicinenet.com/burns/page4.htm
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-burns/basics/art-20056649
- https://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/prevention-wellness/staying-healthy/first-aid/first-aid-burns.html
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4158441/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3263128/
- https://www.nursingtimes.net/using-honey-dressings-the-practical-considerations/205144.article
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3263128/
- https://www.medicinenet.com/burns/article.htm
- https://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/prevention-wellness/staying-healthy/first-aid/first-aid-burns.html
- https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=90&ContentID=P01760
- https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=90&ContentID=P01760
- https://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/prevention-wellness/staying-healthy/first-aid/first-aid-burns.html
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-burns/basics/art-20056649
- https://depts.washington.edu/learncpr/askdoctor.html#What%20should%20I%20do
- https://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/CPRAndECC/HandsOnlyCPR/Hands-Only-CPR_UCM_440559_SubHomePage.jsp
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-cpr/basics/art-20056600
- https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=90&ContentID=P01760
- https://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/prevention-wellness/staying-healthy/first-aid/first-aid-burns.html
- https://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/prevention-wellness/staying-healthy/first-aid/first-aid-burns.html
- https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000030.htm
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-burns/basics/art-20056649
- https://acep.org/Clinical---Practice-Management/Think-Plastic-Wrap-as-Wound-Dressing-for-Thermal-Burns/
- https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=90&ContentID=P01760
-
https://www.chw.org/medical-care/burn-program/burn-treatments/classification-and-treatment-of-burns/third-degree-burns/
