Burns
What it is
The skin is designed to protect the body from a variety of environmental
insults, including excessive heat. If skin temperature rises above
49 degrees Centigrade, however, burning occurs. There are three levels
of severity. In a first-degree burn, of which sunburn is the commonest
cause, only the top layer of skin is damaged. This usually heals quickly
with dead cells peeling after a few days. A second-degree burn causes
damage to deeper layers of the skin and a blister typically forms.
Enough live cells remain for skin to heal, however, and it does not
usually scar unless the wound becomes infected. A third-degree burn
is the most serious and involves damage to the full thickness of the
skin. Extensive treatment, including skin grafts, may be needed and
scarring is likely. If second or third degree burns cover more than
10% of the body area, fluid losses can result in clinical shock, in
which the pulse speeds up, the blood pressure falls and the person
collapses. Burns due to chemical or electrical damage can be deceptively
deep and should always be checked by a doctor.
Self help measures:
Immerse the area in cold, running water, or soak a clean towel in
cold-water and hold against the burn until pain eases. Dress the burn
with a clean, non-stick, non-fluffy material such as sterile gauze.
In an emergency, wrapping cling film round a large burn helps to prevent
fluid loss. Burns easily become infected – seek medical advice
for all but the most superficial burns.
- Don’t use adhesive plasters
- Don’t apply butter, oil or grease
- Don’t burst any blisters
- Don’t try to remove any clothing stuck to the burn
- Don’t use fluffy dressings (e.g. cotton wool)
Applying magnetic patches
Magnetic patches can also be applied over a first degree burn to hasten
healing and reduce pain. Apply the patch to a piece of clean gauze,
and place this immediately over the burn (do not stick adhesive directly
onto burned skin). For larger areas, apply the patch to acupuncture
points over or near the site of pain, as shown in the following illustrations.
Select the points which most closely relate to the site of discomfort.
Do not use magnetic patches over areas that are raw, weeping or blistered.
Always seek medical advice for all but the most superficial burns.
