Medical Keywords - Everything you need to know about health.

5 Things You Must Know About Burns

The 5 things you must know about burns are

1. What are burns?

are injuries caused by heat, electricity, chemicals or radiation. need immediate attention and treatment.

2. Causes and types of burns

Fire accidents are the major cause of burns. also can be caused by steam, electricity, hot oil or water and chemicals.

The burns are categorized based on the severity of tissue damage. They are minor burns or first degree burns, severe burns or second degree burns, third degree burns and chemical burns.

Minor burns affect only the upper layer of the skin. These burns are caused if your body part comes in contact with any hot objects or any hot liquids drop on your body parts.

Severe burns are the painful blisters that are caused on the surface of the skin of an affected area.

The third degree burns affect deeper into the skin and damages the underlying tissues.

Chemical burns are the ones caused by acid spilling on any part of your body.

3. Treatment of burns

The treatment of burns is different for the different types of burns. First aid is the must for the all types of burns. For minor burns, hold the burnt part under running tap or wrap clothes soaked in ice cold water around the burn. After the burning sensation declines, apply some antiseptic cream. For severe burns, do not prick the blisters. Apply cool water for sometime and then apply Antiseptic cream or a sterile gauze on the affected area and then consult a doctor. For third degree burns, wash the area with cool water and immediately rush to the hospital. For the chemical burns, wash off the acid immediately with plenty of water and cover the burn with a sterile gauze and then consult a doctor immediately.

4. Healing time

The healing time varies depending on the severity of the burns. The healing time for the minor burns are about 3 to 6 days. The healing time for the severe buns can take up to 3 weeks time or more based on the severity. Some third degree burns and chemical burns need skin graft to be fully cured. You should follow the treatment method for fast healing. Always burns leave a mark in your body.

5. Preventing burns

You can put safety covers over all electric outlets. Take extra care when using irons. Keep smoke alarms at every room of your house and keep changing the batteries once in a month to prevent your house from fire accidents. Stop using crackers and stop smoking inside your house. Always turn the cold water first before turning the hot water. Always check your bath water with your finger tip before taking bath. Always turn off the heater after use. Keep hot drinks and food away from your children. Keep the pot handles towards the back of the stove while cooking. Never let your child play in the kitchen. Avoid using table clothes for keeping hot drinks and foods.Always handle the microwave oven with hand gloves. Keep a first aid kit in your house.