Burns
Burns are very painful and often cause permanent damage.
The size, depth and location of the wound determine the severity of the burn.
The age of the victim and any additional injuries or conditions also play a role.
- In a first-degree burn, the color of the (epidermal) skin is red or pink. There is no blister or wound; the skin is not broken. The skin feels dry to the touch.
- A superficial second-degree wound shows blisters. The skin is shiny red and pink but feels supple. The area feels wet and is very painful.
- In a deep second-degree burn, the dermis is further affected. We see a reddish and white wound. The skin feels wet and the burn is moderately painful
- In a third-degree burn, the epidermis and dermis are completely damaged. The burn is white, beige, brown or even black in color. The skin feels dry and leathery. Because the nerves are affected, there is hardly any pain.
Fortunately, most burns are first-degree burns. You don't always have to go to the doctor or hospital right away. However, it is important to provide proper first aid to prevent greater damage.
Is the victim a baby, toddler or preschooler? Then always go to the doctor!
First aid for a burn:
Water first, the rest comes later!
Cool the burn immediately. Within 20 minutes of the burn, cool all affected parts of the body for 20 minutes, preferably with lukewarm water (the coolest the victim can tolerate for 20 minutes).
Immediately irrigating the burn with lukewarm water for at least 20 minutes lowers the temperature of the burned skin and thus prevents the heat from the burn from continuing to aggravate the injuries. In some cases, this simple gesture allows spontaneous healing.
In the case of chemical and electrical burns
it is essential to thoroughly irrigate the burn wound with lukewarm water for 30 to 60 minutes. The urgency is to dilute and remove the chemical as soon as possible after contact.
What if there is no running water?
In exceptional cases, you may not have running water.
In that case, a Burn Care compress can be used. These compresses can also provide appropriate relief when transporting a burn patient.
Using Detectaplast Burn Care Hydrogel dressing and/or gel is a safe, efficient and full-fledged cooling method for burns.
Burn Care Gel and dressings are sterile packaged and are based on an aqueous, milky white to clear hydrogel consisting of 90% water. The dressings are available in different sizes for different body parts and are made of a synthetic foam. This can fix a maximum amount of gel and fits seamlessly to all parts of the body.
Scientific research shows that Hydrogel has exactly the same cooling effect as lukewarm water. There is a measurable positive effect on the depth and size of the wound and consequently on the healing.
Burn Care pulls the heat out of the burned skin. Burn Care is available as a compress (dressing) and as a gel.
Detectaplast Burn Care Gel compresses are a first aid tool!
The compresses are not suitable for long-term treatment of the burn wound.
They serve only as an initial means to cool the wound and relieve pain.
Do not use for longer than 30minutes to prevent hypothermia.
When caring for burn wounds, hygiene is of utmost importance!
Burn Care compresses are sterile. Always wash hands thoroughly and preferably use gloves to open the package.
A Burn Care dressing offers many benefits, we briefly list:
- Patients can be transported without stopping treatment
- Burn Care cools, relieves pain and minimizes burn development
- Burn Care is sterile and antibacterial and comes in compress form
- Burn Care is Ph-neutral and hypoallergenic (non-irritating and non-toxic)
- Burn Care does not adhere to the wound
- The wound remains diagnosable
Do not take any risks, consult a doctor!
If the burn is larger than a 2 Euro coin or touches the face or blisters develop: cover the burn and consult your doctor or go to a hospital emergency department.
If the burn is larger than the hand (of the victim): cover the burn and go to an emergency department or the nearest burn center. When in doubt, call emergency services (999), do not give anything to drink or eat, make sure the victim does not cool down.