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

_{Hello Everyone
This is @max-pro from, #Bangladesh}

Thumbnail made by canva

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Assalamu Alaikum steemian friends. Hope you all are well. By the grace of Allah I am also well. So today I came to participate in this wonderful "SLC21/WK6: Understanding Burns: Types, Causes, and First Aid Responses ", learning contest. Our teacher @abdu.navi03 asked some excellent questions which I will try to answer correctly. So let's begin.

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.

A common case of burns is when hot tea accidentally falls on a child's arm. It is very important to take proper first aid measures in these situations. Below are the steps neatly arranged and explained step by step,

Immediate action	made by canva

Cooling the burn : Immediately after drinking the hot tea, wash the burn under cool water for at least 10-15 minutes. It lowers the temperature of the skin and prevents deep damage.

• Do not use ice or ice-cold water as this can increase skin damage.

Avoid touching the wound : Do not touch the burn directly. This increases the risk of infection.

If a cloth is stuck to the burned skin : Do not try to pull away any cloth stuck to the burn. It can tear the skin.

Primary bandaging : Cover the wound with a clean and soft cloth or sterile gauze to prevent infection.

Determination of burn severity	made by canva

Burn severity is usually determined in three stages :-

First degree (mild burns)	The skin is red, painful. And Usually does not blister. And A cold water treatment is sufficient.
Second degree (moderate burns)	The skin becomes red and blisters. And The pain is intense and the blisters may burst. And It should be taken to the doctor after first aid.
Third degree (deep burn)	The skin turns white or black. And Pain may be less felt, because the nerves are damaged. And Urgent treatment is required.

Actions that should be avoided	made by canva

• Do not use any oil, butter or cream. They trap heat in the wound and increase the risk of infection.

• Do not pop the blister. It can cause infection.

• Do not apply tight bandages or pressure. It can cause problems in blood circulation.

What advice should be taken from the doctor?	made by canva

• Mild Burns (First Degree): Child recovers immediately after first aid.

• Moderate or deep burns (2nd/3rd degree): Seek immediate medical attention.

• If the burn covers a large area (5 cm or more) or is near the face, hands, or joints, go to the emergency department.

Rationale :- Taking such a response is important because proper first aid can reduce the amount of damage, prevent infection and help speed recovery. Rapid cooling and appropriate action based on severity of medical conditions can be life-saving.

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?"

Immediate first steps	made by canva

Shut off the power source : Shut off the power supply. Do not try to remove it directly from the wire until the power is off. Then if it is not possible to turn off the electricity, then remove the wire using an old bamboo stick or a plastic object.

Do not touch the affected person : If I touch the affected person without turning off the electricity, I myself may be electrocuted.

• Assess the person's condition : Check breathing and heart rate. If there is no breathing or heartbeat, start CPR.

• Call an ambulance : Call 999 or a local number for emergency medical services as soon as possible.

First aid for burns

• Do not touch the burn directly.

• Cover the burn area with a clean and dry sterile gauze or clean cloth.

Cooling

The use of water to cool the skin in case of an electrical burn is generally avoided because it can lower the body temperature more quickly and increase the risk of shock.

Treatment of shock

• Identify signs of shock

• Cold skin, rapid breathing or weak heart rate.

• Keep the victim lying down and elevate the leg slightly.

• Keep him warm and comfortable.

Differences with the treatment of thermal burns

Thermal burns: Affect only the skin or overlying tissue and washing with cold water and first aid may be sufficient.

Electrical burns: Can cause deep damage to internal body tissues, muscles, nerves and organs and can be fatal even if external damage is less visible.

• Electrocution can affect the heart or nervous system which makes immediate treatment necessary.

• Cold water is avoided as it may cause additional shock.

Actions to Avoid

• Do not touch an electrocuted person.

• Do not pop the blister.

• Do not use any ointments or oils.

• Do not forcibly remove anything from the entry or exit point.

• Avoid excessive movement.

Why is emergency treatment necessary?

Electrical burns often damage internal organs, which are not visible externally. It can affect heart function, nervous system connections, and blood circulation. Medical care is important for life.

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."

Identifying the type of burn: It is classified as a chemical burn because the skin has been damaged by exposure to acid. Symptoms of chemical burns.

• Immediate pain and irritation.

• Redness of the skin, blisters and depth of the burn.

• Swelling or swelling of the skin around the burn.

What went wrong during first aid?

made by canva

Mistakes in washing with water	The co-worker did not use enough water so that the acid was not completely removed and it spread over the skin.
Chemical burns are not effective only with mild washing	they need to be washed with water for a long time.

• Did not check the type of chemicals before taking proper action.

• Some chemicals (eg, hydrofluoric acid) require specific neutralization processes rather than washing with water.

Correct first aid steps and explanations

Ensuring safety	Keep yourself and the victim safe. Avoid touching the acid. Use gloves if necessary. If acid gets on clothes or equipment, remove it quickly.
Prolonged washing with water	Wash the burned area with cold running water for 15-20 minutes. It helps to reduce the effectiveness of the acid and completely remove the chemicals from the surface of the skin. Do not use hot water or ice instead of cold water. Allow the water to flow in such a way that the chemical does not spread to other parts of the body. Then identify the type of acid.
Covering the burn	Gently cover the wound with a sterile, wet gauze or clean cloth. It helps prevent infection.
Monitoring for signs of shock	If signs of shock (cold skin, rapid breathing, or fainting) occur, treat the shock. Treatment of chemical burns requires expert medical care. The deep effects of acid can cause lasting damage, even after initial treatment.

Why is each step important?

• Safety: Ensures avoidance of new injury or chemical exposure.

• Washing with water: Effective to remove the chemical and stop its effectiveness.

• Acid Type Identified: Required for specific treatment and neutralization processes.

• Wound Covering: Helps prevent infection.

• Emergency treatment: Chemical burns can damage the skin deep and can be fatal if not treated properly.

Chemical burn damage can be minimized by taking proper and prompt action.

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.

Person A should be given priority on medical and ethical grounds in this situation.

Medical Rationale : Third-degree burns are fatal. Person A has third-degree burns that can be severe and life-threatening. Large areas can cause problems regulating body fluids and temperature through the skin, which can lead to shock and death.

Lack of pain is dangerous : Person A is not feeling pain which is a sign of nerve damage. This is dangerous because outwardly he is calm but inside the body is seriously damaged. If not treated immediately, his condition can worsen rapidly.

Moral reasoning

Person A's condition is more serious and his life is in danger. So it is a moral duty to give him first aid.	Although person B's second-degree burns are very painful, they are usually not life-threatening and will not cause serious damage after a short delay.

Treatment of Person A:

• Cover the burn area with a sterile dressing.

• Watch for signs of shock such as cold skin, rapid breathing.

• Arrange for him to be rushed to a medical facility.

Person B's primary comfort:

• Calm him down and tell him help will come soon.

• Place any inexpensive protective supplies on the burned area.

Person A's life is at greater risk, so it is the ethical and medically correct decision to help him immediately. However, person B should be given emotional support and immediate follow-up assistance for comfort.

Q5:bCreate an infographic on burn management. Include the following:

Burn Management Infographic:

The infographic summarizes the types of burns, degree, first aid steps and what to avoid.

A - Types of burns and their causes

Thermal burns	fire, hot liquid.
Chemical burns	Acids or alkalis.
Electrical Burns	Exposure to electricity.
Radiation Burns	Sun or radiation.

B - Burns of varying degrees

1st degree	Red skin, pain.
2nd degree	blisters, deep pain.
3rd degree	deep damage, skin darkening.

C - First aid steps

• In case of minor burns : Wash with cold water. Cover with a sterile cloth.

• For large burns : Use cool running water. Get treatment quickly.

D - What can't be done

made by canva

Do not use ice	❌
Do not apply ointments or oils	❌
Do not pop the blister	❌

So it's a very nice educational contest. Where we can gain some medical knowledge. I am very happy to participate in this contest.

So I am Inviting my lovely Steemian friends @stef1, @kouba01, @selina1 to Participate in this Competition.