SLC21/WK6: Understanding Burns: Types, Causes, and First Aid Responses

in this contest I am back to writing or answering some of the questions that exist. here I am back to inviting three friends @fajrulakmal99 @ulfatulrahmah @marito74

Q1:

Write a detailed first aid response for the following scenario:

You witness a child accidentally spilling hot tea on their arm. What immediate steps will you take? What actions will you avoid?

Include considerations for burn severity and explain your reasoning.

If a child accidentally spills hot tea or hot water on their arm, the first step we should take is to immediately stop the heat effect. First, help the child move away from the heat source and take them to a safe place. After that, the next step is to cool the burned skin by rinsing the wound with cool running water for 10 to 20 minutes. Cold water helps lower the skin temperature, preventing the burn from getting deeper and relieving pain.

If water is not available, we can use a clean cloth soaked in cold water. Avoid using ice or water that is too cold, as it can cause damage to the skin. Do not try to break blisters if they have already appeared, as this can increase the risk of infection.

After cooling the wound, gently wipe it with a clean cloth and then cover it with a sterile bandage. Do not use ointments or toothpaste, as they can irritate the wound and make the condition worse.

It is important to assess the severity of the burn. If the burn is very red, blistered or has significant swelling, this indicates a second-degree burn or higher, which requires immediate medical attention. Burns that involve a large area or that touch the face, hands or genitals also require further medical attention.

Something we should avoid is trying to apply household substances or scratching the burn.

Q2:

A worker in a warehouse suffers an electrical burn after touching exposed live wires. The burn site shows entrance and exit points, with damage to the skin and underlying tissues. What are the immediate first aid actions you should take, and what critical steps should you avoid? How does this differ from treating thermal burns?

If a worker in a factory or anywhere experiences an electrical burn after touching a damaged cable, the first aid action that we must immediately take is...

1. Turn off the power source... Be sure to disconnect the power safely, if possible, using a circuit breaker or other tool that does not endanger ourselves.

2. Keep the victim away from the electrical source... Use non-competitive objects such as wood or plastic to keep the victim away from the electrical cable.

3. Check for breathing and heartbeat... If the victim is unconscious, perform CPR if necessary and call emergency medical services immediately.

4. Treat burns... If a burn occurs, apply cool water, not ice, to reduce the heat on the skin and underlying tissue, but avoid immersing the entire body if the burn is large.

Steps to avoid. Do not touch the victim directly if the power is not turned off. Do not use ice or very cold water to treat burns, as this can worsen the injury.

The difference in treatment between electrical and thermal burns lies in the treatment of internal injuries. Electrical burns often cause more serious internal damage below the surface of the skin, while thermal burns cause more damage to the surface of the skin and surrounding tissue.

Q3:

A worker in a factory accidentally spills a strong acid on their arm, causing immediate pain, redness, and blistering. A colleague tries to wash it off with water but notices the burn spreading."

a. Identify the type of burn.

b. What went wrong during the initial first aid?

c. Propose the correct first aid steps and explain why each step is important..

a. The type of burn experienced by workers is... Chemical burns, because they are caused by spills of strong acids that irritate and damage the skin. The characteristics include pain, redness and blisters indicating tissue damage due to exposure to chemicals.

b. The mistake in first aid is trying to clean the wound with water, which actually makes the condition worse. When a chemical burn occurs, further contact with the chemical can worsen tissue damage. In addition, water can cause a more intense chemical reaction, spreading the acid to a wider area.

c. The correct first aid steps are...

1. Stop exposure to chemicals by moving away from the acid source if possible. This prevents the burn from getting worse.

2. Wash the burn with running water for at least 20 minutes, but not by flushing the wound directly, but by rinsing or dripping water to reduce the concentration of chemicals. This aims to remove any remaining chemicals that are still attached.

3. Cover the wound with a clean cloth or lint-free bandage to prevent infection or further contact with the chemical.

4. Seek immediate medical attention for further treatment, as chemical burns can require intensive medical care.

Q4:

You are a first responder in a rural area. Two people are injured in a house fire:

Person A has a large area of third-degree burns but is conscious and calm.

Person B has second-degree burns on both legs and is in severe pain.

You can only help one person immediately due to resource constraints.

Whom do you prioritize, and why? Support your decision with medical and ethical reasoning.

In this situation, the first priority should be given to person A who has extensive third-degree burns. Although person A appears conscious and calm, extensive third-degree burns indicate deep tissue damage and possible disruption of vital organ function. These severe burns are at risk of causing shock, infection and internal organ damage. If not treated immediately, it can be fatal in a short time.

Person B, despite being in severe pain, has second-degree burns that are usually confined to the more superficial layers of the skin and have a better chance of healing if treated appropriately. Prioritizing person A is consistent with the principle of medical triage, which prioritizes patients with a greater chance of survival if we intervene quickly.

This decision also takes into account the ethical principle of saving those we can save, taking into account the level of threat to each victim.

Q5:

Create an infographic on burn management. Include the following:

a. Types of Burns and Their Causes (Electrical, Thermal, etc)

b. Different types of burns (1st, 2nd, and 3rd degree)

c. First aid steps for minor and major burns

d. What NOT to Do During Burn First Aid." Use visuals and short explanations for each point.

Infographics. Burn treatment... 1. Types of burns and their causes. Thermal. Due to exposure to heat from fire, hot water. Chemical. Exposure to acidic, alkaline chemicals. Electricity. Contact with electric current. Radiation. Excessive exposure to sunlight or radiation.

1. Types of burns... Degree 1. Red skin, pain, swelling of the epidermis. Degree 2. Blistered skin, very painful, deeper than the dermis. Degree 3. Charred skin, no pain damage to the skin and tissue layers.

2. First aid steps... Minor burns. Wash with cold water, compress, apply antibiotic ointment. Severe burns. Do not touch the wound, soak in cold water for 20 minutes, cover with a clean cloth, take to the hospital.

3. Things we should not do... Do not open blisters. Do not use ice or fatty materials. Do not give medicine or drinks to victims of severe burns. With fast and proper treatment, burns can be treated well.

greetings @aril.hatake