Burn

Burn

A burn happens quickly and you must react quickly to limit the extent of the damage. Burns must be immediately treated with cooling. Use running water (approx. 20 degrees, not ice). In the case of severe burns, medical treatment is necessary.

Degrees of burns

Burn injuries are classified according to how deep the heat has reached the skin. We have three different degrees of burns:

• 1st degree burn: Limited to the outermost layer of the skin. The skin is dry and red. No blisters or swelling occur, and the pain is moderate.

• 2nd degree burn: Goes partly through the skin. The skin is red, swollen, moist and blisters appear. The pain is often great.

• Superficial: Circulation is normal or somewhat impaired.

• Deep: Circulation is reduced. The skin may be slightly less moist.

• 3rd degree burn: The damage goes through all layers of the skin. The skin may look dry and white or charred. Severe burns can be painless, because nerve endings are damaged.

Treatment of burns

Treatment of burns depends on the severity of the injury.

In the event of any burn, it is important to cool the burned area with water (approx. 20°C), and the area should be kept in the water for an hour if possible. If you are unsure whether the injury requires medical treatment, contact a doctor's office or local emergency room. If the pain is severe, painkillers can be used. The area must also be kept moist and cooled during transport to a doctor.

Treatment of minor burns

Minor burns mean first-degree burns, which are no larger than 5-7 cm in diameter.

• Cool the burn under running cold water (20 °C) immediately after the burn. Cool the area for at least half an hour and preferably an hour.

• Limit cooling to the burned area. Do not use ice for cooling. There are also special fire gels that can be used after the burn has cooled for a few minutes in running cold water.

• You can then cover the burn with a sterile gas compress or bandage that does not stick to the wound, and a disinfectant ointment. Examples of suitable compresses are Mepore/Mepore Pro, Scankvikk compress, Allevyn Gentle Border Lite, Duoderm extra thin (the latter is best suited for 1st degree burns). Alternatively, you can use Mepitel between the burn and the outer absorbent bandage.

• Do not puncture the blisters. If there is a hole in the blister, you can apply a disinfectant ointment. (Pyrisept or Bacimycin) to reduce the risk of infection.

• In case of pain, paracetamol can be used as a pain reliever. Local anesthetic ointment can also be used.

• In case of sunburn, hydrocortisone can be used to relieve the pain in the skin.

• Contact a doctor if clothing has stuck to the wound.

• Be careful and check regularly for signs of infection in the wound.

1st degree burns will normally heal within a few days without special treatment. The site of injury must always be reassessed after 2 days. If you are unsure whether you can treat the injury yourself, always contact your doctor or your local emergency room.

When should you contact a doctor for burns?

• If the burn is larger than the palm of the victim's hand

• In case of 2nd or 3rd degree burns

• If the wound is on the face, inside the hand, on the foot, crotch, or on a joint

• If clothing is stuck in the burned area

• For very contaminated wounds that are difficult to clean

• If there are signs of infection. Increasing pain (often throbbing), fever, redness, pain, discharge or swelling are signs of infection

• If the burn is caused by electricity, acid, bases, oil or boiling fat

•