Handling burns in every degree & bull; hello healthy

Recognize the degree of burns first

Before starting to treat and give medication for burns, it is necessary to know in advance how severe the burns were generated.

This is because the burns themselves have different degrees based on their severity, where each degree requires a different way of handling.

The degree of burns is determined by how deep the layer of skin is affected, the surface area of the body that has been burned, and its location. This staging can help doctors determine the appropriate treatment and care for burns.

The three characteristics of the degree of burns are as follows.

First degree, the wound affects only the outermost layer of skin (epidermis). The color may turn red and a little sore but does not cause blisters.
Second degree,divided into two types namely superficial partial thickness and deep partial thickness. Superficial thickness damage the epidermis layer and a little bit of the dermis layer, meanwhile deep partial thickness damages the epidermis layer and deeper layers of the dermis. Sometimes the sores form blisters and can leave scars of permanent skin discoloration.
Third degree, The burn has affected the subcutaneous tissue of the skin which is the site of fat and sweat glands, and can even reach the bones, muscles, or organs of the body.

In the medical world, the guideline for estimating the area of burns is through the law of nine (rule of nine). The trick is to divide the body area by a percentage of nine per body area.

Below is an explanation of the nine laws (rule of nine) for burns in adults.

Head (9%): front = 4.5%; backside = 4.5%
Body (36%): chest, stomach = 18%; back = 18%
Hands (18%): front-back right hand (9%); front-back left hand (9%)
Feet (36%): right front-rear leg (18%); front-back left foot (18%)
Genitals (1%)

Meanwhile, the distribution for burns in children is as follows.

Head (18%): front = 9%; backside = 9%
Body (31%): chest, stomach = 18%; back = 13%
Hands (18%): front-back right hand (9%); front-back left hand (9%)
Feet (28%): right front-rear leg (14%); front-back left foot (14%)
Butt (5%): right buttocks (2.5%); left buttock (2.5%)

How is the proper treatment for burns?

Source: WikiHow

Treatment of burns must be adjusted to the degree of burns on the skin. Here are each method that can be done.

1. First degree wound

For first degree burns, both first aid and treatment can be done alone. The steps include the following.

Hold the area of the body where the skin is burned, give it a cool stream of water or soak it in cool water until the pain subsides. Don't use ice.
Use a compress if running water is not available.
Cover the burn with a sterile bandage or clean cloth.
Brush the wound with petroleum jelly or aloe vera gel for a soothing effect. Do not apply oil, lotion, or cream (especially if it has a scent) on the burn area.
Call the doctor if you have done first aid but the burn does not improve.

2. Second degree wound

Just like first degree burns, second degree wounds can still be treated at home. Following are the first treatments for second degree burns that you should do.

Soak in cool water for 10-15 minutes. You can use a compress if running water is not available. Do not use ice as this will lower your body temperature and cause further pain and skin damage.
Do not break the blister, as this can lead to infection.
Cover the burn with a sterile bandage, try not to get the bandage too tight, aka it must be loose. This can prevent the skin from sticking with the bandage. Afterward, secure the bandage with gauze or tape.

Sometimes, shock or a drastic drop in blood pressure can also occur when injured. To prevent this, do the following things.

Lie down on the victim's body.
Raise or position your feet higher, about 30 cm from the head.
If the wound is in your hand, place your hands above chest level.
Cover the victim with a coat or blanket.
Immediately call the doctor and rush to the hospital for first aid further burns.

3. Third degree wound

Third degree wounds are the most severe burns and are prone to infection. If this occurs, you should seek medical attention immediately. However, there are several steps that can be taken to help victims, namely as follows.

Bandage the burned area loosely, do not immerse the burn in water and do not apply ointments or other liquids that can cause infection.
Separate the burned toe or hand with a clean, dry bandage or cloth.
Do not immerse the burn in water, do not apply ointments, or other liquids that can cause infection.
Lay the burn victim.
Keep your feet 30 cm higher than your head or the burn area higher than your chest.
Cover the victim with a blanket.
For burns to the nose or respiratory tract, do not place a pillow under the person's head while lying down. This can close the airway.
If the burn is on the face, ask the victim to sit down.
Periodically check the victim's pulse and breathing until the ambulance arrives.

Treatment of burns after the first treatment

After getting burn first aid, the next step is to carry out routine maintenance that will help heal the wound. The way the wound is treated will vary depending on its severity.

For minor wounds, it is usually enough to change the bandage twice a day or when the bandage feels damp and dirty. For more serious wounds, your doctor will give you instructions on the treatment steps you should follow.

Treatment may require drugs to promote healing. These drugs can be in the form of topical drugs and oral drugs.

Topical medicine for burns

The types of drugs most often used are topical or topical drugs. These medications can be creams, gels, ointments, or lotions. The selection will be adjusted to your conditions.

Most of these topical medications work to prevent infection. However, medications can also be used if the burn starts to itch.

The types of drugs that are most often used are as follows.

Bacitracin: belongs to the class of antibiotics, is used to prevent bacterial infection in minor burns.
Diphenhydramine: works to block the action of histamine which can trigger an inflammatory reaction.
Silver sulfadiazine: similar to bacitracin, this drug will reduce the risk of infection and spread of bacteria to the surrounding skin. Usually used to treat second and third degree burns.
Capsaicin: serves to relieve stubborn itching. Not everyone is suitable for using this drug because it can cause a burning sensation, so apply a little first to see the reaction.
Hydrocortisone: corticosteroid class which functions as an anti-inflammatory and can soothe the skin. Must be used according to a doctor's prescription.
Menthol: provides a cool sensation that will distract you from the itching.

Oral medications for burns

Sometimes, apart from itching, burns can also cause pain that makes you uncomfortable. Fortunately, there are options for oral medications (drinking) to relieve the condition. These drugs include the following.

Ibuprofen: NSAID class (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), works by blocking the production of prostaglandins, substances that cause pain during inflammation.
Acetaminophen: used to relieve mild to moderate pain. Often used also for headaches, joint pain, and menstrual pain.
Antihistamines: works by inhibiting the function of histamine, a compound that causes allergic reactions, inflammation, and itching. Some of the drug options include cetrizine, loratadine, and hydroxyzine.

Whatever medication you choose, you should consult first to make sure that the use of drugs to treat burns is completely safe.

In addition to medication, doctors will usually perform additional procedures to treat skin damaged by burns. Usually, the procedures performed are skin grafts and plastic surgery.

In skin graft surgery, part of your healthy skin is used to replace scar tissue caused by deep burns. Sometimes, a skin donation from a deceased person can also be used as a temporary solution.

Meanwhile, plastic or reconstructive surgery is surgery to improve the appearance of burn scars and increase the flexibility of joints affected by scar tissue.

Help manage burns with a diet

Source: HyperHeal

In addition to the series of treatments above, of course, you also have to undergo some changes in your lifestyle. One of them is through improving diet.

The intake consumed can indirectly affect the treatment of a disease, as well as burns. Selection of food will not only restore energy lost when injured, but will also help repair damaged skin tissue.

Good intake of protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals must be balanced. Each of these nutrients serves a function for your healing.

Protein, for example, becomes the main source of energy for the body after losing a lot of energy. Provision of vitamins A, B, C, and D is also highly recommended because it helps the formation of collagen which can encourage the formation of new skin tissue.

Especially if the burns you are experiencing tend to be serious, in addition to examining the wound, ask your doctor for advice on what foods should be consumed to speed wound healing.

If you still have questions about handling for burns, please consult a doctor.