This document discusses different types of burns including dry burns, scalds, chemical burns, electrical burns, radiation burns, and cold injuries. It describes the causes, symptoms, and treatments for minor and severe burns. The extent and depth of burns is assessed using the Rule of Nines. First aid treatment involves cooling the burn, avoiding interference with the injured area, and seeking prompt medical attention for serious burns.

2. INTRODUCTION
 Burns
 Caused by dry heat, extreme cold,
corrosive substances, friction, radiation
or Sun’s rays.
 Scalds
 Caused by wet heat from hot liquids and
vapours.

3. Type of burns Causes
Dry burn Flames
Contact with hot objects [Cigarettes]
Friction [Rope burns]
Scald Steam
Hot Liquids
Chemical burn Industrial chemicals [Inhaled fumes]
Domestic chemicals [Bleach]
Electrical burn Low voltage current
High voltage current
Lightning strikes
Radiation Sunburn
Over-exposure to ultraviolet lamp
Exposure to radioactive source
Cold injury Frostbite
Contact with freezing metals
Contact with freezing vapours

4. ASSESSING A BURN
 Check:
 Extent of burn
 Depth of burn
 Whether airway is affected

5. EXTENT OF BURN
 Partial thickness burn of 1% or more must be
referred to the doctor.
 Partial thickness burn of over 9% will cause shock
and need hospital treatment.
 Any full thickness burns requires hospital treatment.
 Children with any partial or full thickness burns need
medical attention.

6. RULE OF NINES
 Head: 9%
 Left Arm: 9%
 Right Arm: 9%
 Upper Chest: 9%
 Upper Back: 9%
 Abdomen: 9%
 Lower Back: 9%
 Left Thigh: 9%
 Right Thigh: 9%
 Left Lower Leg: 9%
 Right Lower Leg: 9%
 Groin: 1%

7. DEPTH OF BURN
 Superficial Burn
 Involves outermost
layer of skin
 Redness
 Swelling
 Tenderness

8. DEPTH OF BURN
 Partial Thickness Burn
 Destroys the epidermis
 Blisters
 Rawness
 Redness
 Painful

9. DEPTH OF BURN
 Full Thickness Burn
 Casualty usually no longer feel any pain
 All layers of
skin are burnt
 Pale or
charred
 Waxy

10. HOW DO BURNS AFFECT
THE BODY?
When there is a burn on the casualty, his or
her body loses its supply of fluids causing
dehydration and shock.

11. MINOR BURNS & SCALDS
 Treatment
 Place injured part under cold running water for
at least 10 minutes. If water is not available,
any cold harmless liquid such as milk.
 Gassy drinks are not recommended.
 Gently remove any jewellery, watches, belts, or
constricting clothing from the injured area
before it begins to swell.

12. MINOR BURNS & SCALDS
 Treatment
 Cover injured area with clean, sterile and non-
fluffy material and bandage loosely.
 DO NOT break blisters.
 DO NOT apply adhesive tape to the skin.
 DO NOT apply anything to the injured area.
 May damage tissues & increase risk of infection

13. SEVERE BURNS & SCALDS
 Treatment
 Lay casualty down. Protect the burnt area from
contact with the ground as much as possible.
 Douse the burn with plenty of cold liquid for at
least 10 minutes, but must not delay the
removal to hospital.
 While cooling the burn, watch for signs of
difficulty in breathing.

14.  Treatment
 Gently remove rings, watches, belts,
shoes or smouldering clothing from the
injured area before it begins to swell.
 Carefully remove the burnt clothing,
unless it is sticking to the burn.
 Cover the injury with a sterile dressing.
SEVERE BURNS & SCALDS

15.  Treatment
 Reassure the casualty and treat for
shock if necessary.
 Monitor & record breathing and pulse
rate.
 Call for an ambulance.
SEVERE BURNS & SCALDS

16.  Treatment
 DO NOT overcool the casualty.
 May cause hypothermia.
 DO NOT remove anything sticking to the burn.
 May introduce bacteria, causing infection.
 DO NOT touch, or otherwise, interfere
with the injured area.
SEVERE BURNS & SCALDS

17. SEVERE BURNS & SCALDS
 Treatment
 DO NOT burst any blisters.
 DO NOT apply lotions, ointments, fats
or adhesive tape to the injury.

18. TYPES OF BURNS
 Burns to the
airway
 Electrical burns
 Chemical burns
 Chemical burns to
the eye
 Flash burns to the
eye
 Sunburn

19. BURNS TO THE AIRWAY
When there is a burn on the face, within
the mouth or throat,
 The air passages will be inflamed and
swollen.
 Swelling will block the airway, causing
suffocation.
 Immediate and specialised medical aid is
required.

20. BURNS TO THE AIRWAY
 Recognition
 Soot around the nose or mouth
 Singeing of nasal hair
 Redness, swelling or burning of the tongue
 Damaged skin around mouth
 Hoarseness of voice
 Breathing difficulties

21.  Treatment
 Call for an ambulance.
 Improve casualty’s air supply by loosening clothing.
 Reassure casualty to keep him or her calm.
 If unconscious, check for ABC.
 Place casualty in recovery position.
BURNS TO THE AIRWAY

22.  Recognition
 Unconsciousness
 Full thickness burns with swelling, scorching &
charring at both points entry and exit.
 Signs of shock
 Brown, coppery residue on the skin
 If casualty is victim of high voltage
ELECTRICAL BURNS

23.  Treatment
 Make sure that contact with electrical source is
broken.
 If unconscious, check for ABC.
 Flood the sites of injury with plenty of cold water.
 Place a sterile dressing over the burns.
 Call for an ambulance
ELECTRICAL BURNS

24.  Treatment
 Reassure casualty.
 Treat for shock.
 DO NOT approach a victim of high voltage
electricity until you are officially informed
that the current has been switched off and
isolated.
ELECTRICAL BURNS

25.  Recognition
 Evidence of chemicals
in the vicinity
 Intense, stinging pain
 Discoloration
 Blistering
 Peeling & Swelling
CHEMICAL BURNS

26.  Treatment
 Make the area safe.
 Ventilate the area.
 Wear protective gloves.
 Seal chemical container.
 Remove casualty from the scene if necessary.
CHEMICAL BURNS

27.  Treatment
 Flood the injury with water for at least 20
minutes to disperse the chemical and stop
burning.
 Remove any contaminated clothing.
 Check for ABC.
 Arrange removal to hospital.
CHEMICAL BURNS

28.  Treatment
 NEVER attempt to neutralise the acid
or alkali burns unless trained to do so.
 DO NOT delay starting treatment by
searching for an antidote.
CHEMICAL BURNS

29.  Recognition
 Intense pain in the affected eye.
 Inability to open the affected eye.
 Redness and swelling around the affected eye.
 Copious watering of the affected eye.
 Evidence of chemical substances or containers
in the immediate area.
CHEMICAL BURNS TO
THE EYE

30.  Treatment
 Place the affected eye under gentle
running water for at least 10 minutes.
 Place a sterile pad over the eye.
 Arrange for removal to hospital.
CHEMICAL BURNS TO
THE EYE

31.  Recognition
 Intense pain in the affected eye.
 ‘Gritty’ feeling the affected eye.
 Redness and watering of the affected
eye.
 Sensitivity to light.
FLASH BURNS TO THE
EYE

32. FLASH BURNS TO THE
EYE
 Treatment
 Reassure the casualty.
 Place a sterile eye pad over the affected eye.
 Bandage the eye pad in place.
 Arrange for removal to hospital.
 DO NOT remove contact lenses, if any.

33. SUNBURN
 Recognition
 Most sunburns are superficial. However,
in severe cases, the skin is:
 Lobster red in colour.
 Blistered.
 Casualty may suffer from heatstroke.

34. SUNBURN
 Treatment
 Cover skin with light clothing.
 Move casualty into the shade.
 Cool casualty by soaking the affected
area in a cold bath for 10 minutes.
 Give frequent sips of water.

35. SUNBURN
 Treatment
 For mild sunburns, calamine or after-sun
lotion may soothe them.
 If there is extensive blistering or other
skin damage, seek medical aid.