Basic Burns Care Information
• A burn is one of the most significant injuries that can be inflicted;
• Early and correct management of the burn is essential to reduce the immediate and long term effects;
• Traditional perceptions of treating a burn are?
– Put under cold water
– Wrap cling film around the burn
– Use some kind of burns dressing
• Treatment is often dependant on the surrounding circumstances
• Adequate management during the first critical hours can:
– Prevent the burn wound from becoming deeper
– Minimise bacterial contamination
– Lesson pain considerably
– Facilitate a more rapid healing phase and improve long term functional and cosmetic appearance of the wound
Burns Effect All Ages
• 20% of all burns injuries are suffered by children under the age of 4 years old;
– 70% of these burns are caused by scalding
• 10% of all burns injuries occur in children aged 5 – 14 years old
• The majority of the remaining burns injuries occur in the age group 15 – 65 years;
– with a large portion of these injuries occurring within the workplace
Burns – The Effects
• Burns affect all people of all ages and the effects are both physical and psychological
• Burns can cause chronic disability and psychological scarring long after the physical wound has healed
