Mount Ridley P-12 College

From the School Nurse 

SCHOOL NURSE UPDATE

BURNS

Lately, I have encountered more and more students presenting to first aid with a burn. Common burns are being caused by Hair styling tools, accidents in the kitchen whether it be taking hot items out of the oven or spilling boiling water, and misuse of the hot glue gun at school seems to be the culprit as well. More seriously I have seen exhaust burns and even a flame thrower burn!

So, I believe it to be an apt time to remind the first aid management of burns.

  1. Remove jewellery or clothing from affected area

  2. Cool affected area as soon as possible with cool running water for 20 minutes.

     

NEVER APPLY ICE!!

Cover or dress the burn. If the burn is significant (i.e. deep or covering a wide area) this burn will require medical attention, cover the area with cling wrap (cover the burn – do not fully wrap around a limb) and head to nearest Emergency department for management. If burn is small and superficial, you may have the things needed to manage it at home, such as a nonstick dressing to cover the area.

Below is a description from RCH outlining the appearance of what a superficial versus a deep burn would look like.

 

Superficial burns (first-degree)

  • Mild, shallow burns
  • Only affects the top layer of the skin
  • Often causes mild pain and redness
  • Sunburn is a common superficial burn

  • Usually heals in three to six days.

     

Partial-thickness burns (second-degree)

  • More serious, deeper burns
  • Affects the top layer of skin and part of the next layer
  • Often cause pain, redness, blistered skin and swelling
  • A hot drink splash is an example of a partial-thickness burn

  • Healing time depends on severity, usually between one to three or more weeks.

     

Full-thickness burns (third-degree)

  • Most severe, deep burns
  • Affects all layers of skin and nerve endings, and sometimes fat and muscle tissue
  • Skin may look brown, black or white; it often has a waxy sheen
  • Burn may not be painful due to nerve-ending damage
  • Examples of full-thickness burns include burns from fire or treadmill running belts

  • Healing time depends on severity; these burns often require skin grafts.

     

REMEMBER IF YOU DO NOTHING ELSE, AT LEAST STOP THE BURNING PROCESS BY RUNNING AREA UNDER COLD WATER FOR 20 MINUTES.