SLC21/WK6: Understanding Burns: Types, Causes, and First Aid Responses

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Hello steemians,

Q1: Write a detailed first aid response for the following scenario: " You witness a child accidentally spilling hot tea on their arm. What immediate steps will you take? What actions will you avoid? Include considerations for burn severity and explain your reasoning. "

When I see a child accidentally spilling hot tea on their arm, my first reaction is to make sure the environment is safe and that the child is away from the heat source to prevent the burn from worsening by creating a safe space where I can intervene immediately to limit the damage caused by the hot liquid, I then proceed to cool the burned area by holding the child's arm under a continuous flow of running water at a cool but not cold temperature for a duration of at least ten to twenty minutes in the aim of decreasing the temperature of the affected skin and limiting tissue damage that may ensue due to initial thermal exposure.

After this step, I protect the affected area by gently applying a sterile dressing that does not stick to the skin or a clean gauze to avoid contamination or infection while keeping the burn isolated from external factors that could harm the skin. healing, during this time, I try to calm the child by adopting a reassuring tone and explaining in simple words what I am doing to treat him while monitoring his general condition to detect any signs of increased pain or deterioration of his condition.

I also take care not to use ice directly on the burn since this could cause additional damage to tissues already damaged by the heat and I also avoid applying substances such as butter or home remedies which could risk to trap heat in the skin and further complicate subsequent cleaning and treatment of the burn, if blisters begin to form on the skin, I refrain from piercing them to preserve their natural protective role against infections that could occur if the inner layers of the skin were exposed.

And to assess the severity of the burn I take the time to carefully observe the appearance of the affected skin to determine if the injury is limited to dry redness, which corresponds to a first-degree burn that can be treated with home or if blisters form or a large area of skin is affected, in which case I decide immediately to consult a healthcare professional to ensure appropriate care and prevent any complications likely to lead to more serious consequences.

Q2: "A worker in a warehouse suffers an electrical burn after touching exposed live wires. The burn site shows entrance and exit points, with damage to the skin and underlying tissues. What are the immediate first aid actions you should take, and what critical steps should you avoid? How does this differ from treating thermal burns?"

In the event of an electrical burn suffered by a worker, my priority is to ensure my own safety by checking that the electrical source is completely disconnected before approaching the victim, because intervening without taking this precaution could expose me to risk. electrocution, once I ensure that the area is safe, I proceed to assess the victim by first checking if they are conscious and if they are breathing normally, and if I notice that they are unconscious , I immediately take the time to check his pulse and breathing to determine if cardiopulmonary resuscitation is necessary.

When I realize that it is possible to treat burns, I am careful not to touch the wounds directly, and I take care to cover the affected areas with a clean, dry cloth in order to protect skin from potential infections while waiting for help to arrive, I also do everything in my power to prevent shock by keeping the victim lying on a stable surface, ensuring they remain warm and immobile in order to avoid any aggravation of his condition, and I am patiently waiting for medical professionals to ensure complete and appropriate treatment.

I, however, refrain from cooling burns with water, as this could cause hypothermia, especially if the affected areas are large, furthermore, I am very careful not to touch the victim directly before making sure that the electricity supply is cut off, so as not to endanger myself.

The main difference between an electrical burn and a thermal burn is that in the case of an electrical burn, the internal injuries, whether cardiac or nerve, require priority attention, as they can be much more serious as visible injuries on the surface of the skin, making urgent medical attention absolutely essential for the victim's survival and recovery.

Q3: "A worker in a factory accidentally spills a strong acid on their arm, causing immediate pain, redness, and blistering. A colleague tries to wash it off with water but notices the burn spreading."

a. Identify the type of burn.

In the event that a worker spills strong acid on his arm resulting in intense pain, redness and blistering this is clearly a chemical burn due to the highly corrosive nature of the acid which continues to react with skin tissue until it has been completely eliminated, making it a situation requiring rapid and appropriate intervention to limit the damage.

b. What went wrong during the initial first aid?

During the initial first aid the major error was that the rinsing was not carried out long enough or effectively which allowed the acid to continue to act on the skin aggravating the damage and causing the burn to spread over an area larger than initially affected.

c. Propose the correct first aid steps and explain why each step is important..

For correct treatment, I would start by carefully removing all contaminated clothing or accessories in order to limit the spread of the acid to other parts of the body or to people assisting the victim, then I would rinse the affected area thoroughly under a continuous flow of cool water for a minimum of twenty minutes without stopping in order to dilute and completely eliminate chemical residues still present on the skin and likely to cause further damage.

I would be very careful not to attempt to neutralize the acid with another chemical such as bicarbonate as this could cause an exothermic chemical reaction which could make the situation worse by causing further damage or increasing the victim’s pain and once rinsed off it is washed off . I would continue to cover the affected area with a sterile non-adhesive bandage or clean gauze to protect the skin from infection and maintain a clean environment until medical help arrives.

Finally, I would immediately contact the emergency services to ensure specialist treatment because chemical burns can lead to serious complications such as profound damage to the underlying tissue or systemic absorption of the corrosive product and it is essential that the victim receives the necessary care to minimize the long treatment period. Long term consequences while promoting optimal recovery.

Q4: You are a first responder in a rural area. Two people are injured in a house fire:
Person A has a large area of third-degree burns but is conscious and calm.
Person B has second-degree burns on both legs and is in severe pain.
You can only help one person immediately due to resource constraints. Whom do you prioritize, and why? Support your decision with medical and ethical reasoning.

As a first responder in a rural area where two people were injured in a house fire, I am faced with a difficult decision due to limited resources. Person A suffers significant third-degree burns but remains conscious and calm, while Person B has second-degree burns to both legs. He is in severe pain, and given this situation, I would prioritize Person B because his condition poses a more urgent risk.

Second-degree burns, although less deep than third-degree burns, cause intense pain and can quickly lead to shock, particularly due to loss of fluid and increased suffering, by intervening quickly, I can stabilize your condition, reduce pain, prevent dehydration and reduce. the risk of serious complications, which increases your chances of survival and recovery.

For Person A, although third-degree burns are more serious in terms of tissue damage, they are often less painful in the short term due to the destruction of nerve endings, his calm indicates immediate stabilization, allowing me to concentrate my intervention on Person B, whose condition can deteriorate rapidly without immediate treatment. Although Person A requires specialized treatments such as skin grafts and intensive care, these interventions are not possible on site with the means available to me.

My choice is based on medical and ethical considerations since it involves maximizing the chances of survival by intervening where the emergency is most serious, by giving priority to Person B, I stabilize a situation in immediate danger, while ensuring that emergency services are quickly called so that Person A receives the necessary attention as quickly as possible, this approach makes it possible to better manage limited resources while responding to the most pressing needs.

Q5: Create an infographic on burn management. Include the following:
a. Types of Burns and Their Causes (Electrical, Thermal, etc)
b. Different types of burns (1st, 2nd, and 3rd degree)
c. First aid steps for minor and major burns
d. What NOT to Do During Burn First Aid.
Use visuals and short explanations for each point.

To create an infographic on burn management, I would structure the information in a fluid and visual way, highlighting the essential elements in a clear and concise manner. The title of the infographic would be “A Practical Guide to Burn Management,” and it would be divided into several logical sections to make it easier to understand.

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Thank you very much for reading, it's time to invite my friends @lil.albab, @miftahulrizky, @heriadi to participate in this contest.

Best Regards,
@kouba01