This document provides guidance on first aid management for different types of burns and scalds. It describes burns as injuries caused by dry heat and scalds as injuries from moist heat. It classifies burns based on the rule of 9 and depth, and provides instructions for cooling and dressing minor burns. For more severe burns, it advises calling emergency services and treating for shock. Specific guidance is given for helping someone whose clothes are on fire, and managing electrical, chemical, and radiation burns.

1. First aid management of
burns and scalds

2. Introduction
 Burns are the injuries that results from dry heat like:
 Fire, flame, piece of hot metal, sun, contact with wire carrying high tension
electric current, lightening and friction
 Scalds are the injuries caused by moist heat like:
 Boiling water, stream, oil, hot tar and hot liquid.
 Scalds are the injuries caused by moist heat like:
 Boiling water, stream, oil, hot tar and hot liquids.

3. Types
 Chemical burns: Acid and alkalis may cause burns, when they come in contact
with skin
 Electric burns: Electrical currents and lightening heat and burnt skin and
underlying issues.
 Radiation burns cold burns: Sun rays and light reflected from bright surfaces
can damage the skin eyes. Overdose of x-ray may cause burns.
 Cold burns: Contact with liquid oxygen and liquid nitrogen can cause cold
burns.

4. Classification of burn according to Rule
of 9

5.  Burns are classified on the basis of area by rule of 9. any burn of over 30% irrespective of deep
degree should be hospitalized as priority.
 The diagram shows deviation of body surface into area of 9%.
 Burns larger than 2.5cm square require medical attention.

6. Depth of burns

7. How to help a person whose clothes
have caught fire?
 Put out the flames by any mean available. Most of the causes of burns occur in
homes and drinking water is readily available to quench the flames. Water also
cools the burnt area, causing less damage to occur.
 Do not allow the person to run about. This only fans the fire and makes the flames
spread.
 Hold a rug, blanket, coat in front of you while approaching a man whose clothing
have caught fire.
 Lay him down quickly on the ground and wrap tightly with any thick piece of cloth
or coat. This starves the flames of oxygen and puts them out.
 Do not roll the casualty, along the ground as this can cause burning of previously
unharmed areas.
 If the clothes in front of the body have caught fire, lay him on his back and vice
versa.

8. Management for severe burns and scalds
 Help the casualty to lie down. If possible, try to prevent the burnt area from coming into
contact with the ground.
 Douse the burn with plenty of cold liquid for at least 10minutes, but do not delay the casualty’s
removal to hospital. Call 108 or ambulance.
 Continue cooling the affected area until the pain is relieved.
 Put on disposable gloves if available. Gently remove any rings, watches, belts, shoes, or
smouldering clothing before the tissues begin to swell. Carefully remove burnt clothing, unless it
is sticking to the burn.
 Cover the injured area with sterile dressing to protect it from infection. If a sterile dressing is
not available, use a folded triangular bandage, part of sheet.
 Gather and record details of casualty’s injuries. Regularly monitor and record her vital signs-
level of response, pulse, and breathing
 While waiting for help to arrive, reassure the casualty and treat her for shock.

9. Management for minor burns and scalds
 Flood the injured part with cold water for at least 10minutes to stop the burning and relieve the pain. This
is more effective than using sprays. If water is not available, any cold, harmless liquid, such as milk or
canned drinks, can be used.
 Put on disposable gloves if available. Gently remove any jewellery, watches, belts, or constricting clothing
from the injured area before it begins to swell.
 Cover the area with a sterile dressing or a clean, non-fluffy pad, and bandage loosely in place. A plastic bag
or kitchen film makes a good temporary covering. Apply kitchen film lengthways to prevent constriction of
the area if the tissues swell.
 Refer the casualty to the hospital

10. Management for electrical burn
 Before touching the casualty, you must make sure that contact with the electrical source is broken.
 Flood the sites of injury, at the entry and exit points of the current, with plenty of cold water to cool the
burns.
 Put on disposable gloves if available. Place a sterile dressing, a clean, folded triangular bandage, or some
other clean, non-fluffy material over the burns to protect them against airborne infection. Dial 108 or
ambulance.
 Reassure the casualty and treat him for shock.

11. Management for chemical burns
 Make sure that the area around the casualty is safe. Ventilate the area to disperse fumes, and, if possible, seal
the chemical container. Remove the casualty if necessary.
 Flood the burn with water for at least 20 minutes to disperse the chemical and stop the burning. If treating a
casualty on the ground, ensure that the water does not collect underneath her.
 Gently remove any contaminated clothing while flooding the injury.
 Arrange to take or sent the casualty to hospital. Make sure that the airway is open. Monitor vital signs- level of
response, pulse, and breathing. Pass on details of the chemical to medical staff. If in the workplace, notify the
safety officer and emergency services.