4x4 Clubhouse

______Burns______

Burns

Burns are injuries to body tissues cased by heat, chemicals, electricity , radiation.

Classification of burns

Superficial Burns:-
These burns involve only the outer layers of skin and result in general redness, swelling and extreme tenderness, this type of burn usually heals well.

Intermediate Burns :-
these burns involve the formation of blisters and the area around the burn will be swollen and red. These burns can be infected so you should seek medical aid.

Deep burns:-
These burns involve all layers of skin. The skin appear pale, waxy and sometimes, charred. These burns will be relatively pain free because the nerves are damaged. Deep burns always require medical attention.

Treatment

1. Treat minor burns with cold water and sterile or clean dressing.

2. Don't soak major burns in cold water. Wrap the affected areas in sterile or clean dressings.

Do Not apply lotions, ointments or fat to injury.

Do Not break blisters, remove any loose skin or other wise interfere with the injured area.

Chemical Burns In The Eye
To care for chemical burns to the eye, you should,

1. Immediately flood the eyes with water.

2. Keep running water flowing into the burned eye.

3. Continue washing the eye for the following time periods.

   • Acid burns, at least 5 minutes.

   • Alkali burns, at least 15 minutes.

   • Unknown caustic, at least 20 minutes.

4. After washing , cover both eyes with moistened pads, and transport as soon as possible.

Electrical Burns

In the care for patients with electrical burns, your primary concern should be with breathing and pulse.

For the actual care of the burns, remember to look for at least two burn sites, one where the electricity entered the patients body and the other where it exited.  Apply sterile or clean dressings, treat for shock and transport.

Heat Exhaustion
This is a condition caused by loss of salt and water from the body, it is more common in persons unaccustomed to working in a very hot, humid environment although in elderly persons, it may follow a debilitating illness. The condition can be aggravated by a stomach upset with diarrhea and vomiting.

Symptoms and sine's

• Casualty may feel exhausted but restless.

• Casualty may have headache and feel tired, dizzy and nauseated.

• Muscular cramps in the lower limbs and abdomen, caused by salt deficiency.

• Casualty's face will be pale and the skin will feel cold and clammy.

• Breathing becomes fast and shallow.

• Pulse is rapid and weak.

• Temperature remains normal or falls.

• Casualty may faint on any sudden movement.

Treatment

1. Lay the casualty down in cold place.

2. If the casualty is conscious, give sips of cold water to drink. If the casualty is sweating profusely, has cramps, diarrhea and or is vomiting add half a teaspoonful of salt to each ‡ liter of water.

3. If the casualty becomes unconscious, but is breathing normally, Place in the recovery position.

Heatstroke

Heatstroke is caused by a very high environmental temperature or a feverish illness such as malaria, that leads to a greatly raised body temperature, it develops when the body can no longer control its temperature by sweating and can occur quite suddenly. It can develop in people of age who have been exposed to heat and high humidity for too long and who are unaccustomed to them, or from prolonged confinement in a hot atmosphere. Anyone suffering from heatstroke should always receive medical attention.

Symptoms and Sine's

• Casualty complains of headache, dizziness and of feeling hot.

• Casualty becomes restless.

• Unconsciousness may develop rapidly and become very deep.

• Casualty will be hot with a temperature of 40 cƒ ( 104 F ) or more and will look flushed although skin remains dry.

• Pulse is full and bounding , the breathing may be noisy.

Aim:-

Reduce the casualty's temperature as quickly as possible and seek medical aid.

Treatment

1. Move the casualty to a cool environment and remove the casualty's clothing.

2. If the casualty is conscious, place in a half sitting position with the head and shoulders supported. If the casualty is unconscious but breathing normally, place in the recovery position.

3. Warp the casualty in a cold, wet sheet and keep it wet, direct current of air on to the casualty by fanning with magazine, book or an electric fan until the casualty's temperature drops to 38 cƒ.

4. Seek medical aid immediately. If the casualty's temperature reduces, cover the casualty with a dry sheet and remove to an air conditioned room if possible. If the casualty's temperature rises again, repeat steps 3 and 4 above.