Burns and Other Injuries: First Aid and Treatment

Posted on Nov 8, 2024 in Physical Education

Burns: Injury Caused by Heat

Assessing Severity

Several factors determine the severity of a burn:

  • Depth: Deeper burns are more serious.
  • Extension: Larger burns are more threatening.
  • Location: Burns on the eyes, genitals, or natural orifices are more serious.
  • Age: Children and the elderly are most at risk.
  • Infection: Infection can worsen the damage caused by the burn.

Burn Depth Classification

  • First Degree: Erythema (redness) affecting the epidermis.
  • Second Degree: Blisters with fluid affecting the epidermis and dermis.
  • Third Degree: Damage extends through the epidermis and dermis to the hypodermis, with blackish eschar affecting muscles, nerves, and blood vessels. These burns are often painless due to nerve damage.

Estimating Burn Extension (Rule of Nines)

  • Palm of hand: 1%
  • Head: 9%
  • Anterior upper extremity: 9% (each)
  • Posterior upper extremity: 9% (each)
  • Anterior lower extremity: 18% (each)
  • Posterior lower extremity: 18% (each)
  • Genitals: 1%

Treatment of Burns

  • Cover with a blanket and roll on the floor to extinguish flames.
  • Cool the burn with cool (not cold) water for 10 minutes. Do not apply ice directly to the burn.
  • If the burn is caused by a chemical, wash the area for 20 minutes.
  • Cover the burn with a clean, saline- or water-moistened dressing. Do not apply creams or ointments.
  • Do not remove clothing stuck to the burn, especially if caused by caustic products.
  • Do not give the victim anything to eat or drink, and do not puncture blisters.
  • Remove rings, watches, and bracelets from the affected area.
  • Transport the victim to a medical facility as soon as possible without further injuring them.

Electrical Injuries

Electricity can cause burns and serious nervous system damage, including respiratory and cardiac arrest. Injuries occur at the entry and exit points of the current.

Actions for Electrical Injuries

  • Disconnect the power source before touching the victim.
  • If disconnecting the power is not possible, isolate the victim from the source using non-conductive materials like wood or rope.
  • Once isolated, check vital signs and treat injuries as you would for other burns.
  • Transport the victim to a medical facility urgently.

Chemical Burns

Chemical burns are caused by corrosive substances like acids or alkalis.

Actions for Chemical Burns

  • Remove contaminated clothing and flush the affected area with plenty of water for 20 minutes.
  • Cover the burn and transport the victim to a medical facility.
  • If the chemical burn affects the eyes, flush with water for 20 minutes and cover both eyes during transport.

Frostbite

Frostbite refers to skin or systemic damage caused by cold.

Signs of Frostbite

  • Gray-white or yellowish skin
  • Numbness and tingling, which may progress to painlessness as nerve endings freeze

Treatment of Frostbite

  • Do not rub the affected area.
  • Do not cover the area with blankets or warm clothing initially.
  • Do not apply direct heat or a heat source due to the risk of sudden vasodilation and further injury.

Treatment for Widespread Frostbite

  • Wash the affected area with warm water (23-37°C), gradually increasing the temperature by 4°C per hour.
  • Treat wounds as you would for burns.
  • If the patient is conscious, administer warm, sugary drinks.

Traumatological Injuries

This section covers contusions, sprains, dislocations, and fractures.

Contusions

Contusions are caused by blunt force trauma to the skin, resulting in bruising or crushing and potential internal injuries.

  • Simple Contusion: Skin redness or ecchymosis.
  • First Degree: Rupture of small vessels, accumulation of blood beneath the dermis.
  • Second Degree (Hematoma): Larger amount of extravasated blood accumulated in the subcutaneous tissue.
  • Third Degree: Deep tissue death.

Treatment of Contusions

  • Immobilize and elevate the affected area.
  • Apply cold compresses or ice water (not directly to the skin) to promote vasoconstriction, reduce bleeding, and control inflammation.

Sprains

Sprains involve the stretching, tearing, or rupture of ligaments, often caused by sudden twisting or trauma.

Grades of Sprains

  • Grade I: Stretching of the ligament.
  • Grade II: Partial tear of the ligament.
  • Grade III: Complete ligament rupture, possibly with bony avulsion.

Treatment of Sprains

  • Reduce swelling with ice for 30 minutes.
  • Apply a bandage and immobilize the area with a splint or cast.
  • Elevate the limb for several days to reduce edema.
  • Rehabilitation should begin after the immobilization period.

Dislocations and Subluxations

Dislocation: Complete separation of joint surfaces.

Subluxation: Partial separation of joint surfaces.

Both are often accompanied by ligament and joint capsule injuries, typically caused by sudden, forceful movements or trauma.

Fractures

Fractures are breaks in the continuity of bone, usually caused by trauma, bone demineralization, or prolonged, repetitive pressure.

Types of Fractures

  • Closed Fracture: Broken bone without skin damage.
  • Open Fracture: Broken bone with skin damage, exposing the bone.
  • Oblique Fracture: Angled fracture of the bone shaft.
  • Comminuted Fracture: Bone broken into multiple fragments.
  • Spiral Fracture: Fracture that spirals around the bone axis.
  • Greenstick Fracture: Incomplete fracture, common in children, where the bone bends and cracks like a green twig.