Fire Burns: Causes, Awareness, and First Aid
Whether due to negligence or sheer misfortune, fire incidents often lead to loss of lives and complete destruction. Yet, many people remain unaware of what to do in case of a fire or how to prevent one altogether.
There are generally several types of fire-related burn injuries. Among them:
Flame Burn:
This type of burn usually originates from sources like kerosene lamps, oil lanterns, or cooking stoves.
Electrical Accidents:
Poor electrical wiring across rooftops or within homes often leads to accidents. Additionally, electric shocks can also cause severe injuries.
Acid Burn:
Although acid attacks were once mainly associated with romantic rejection, they now occur in various disputes. Despite the establishment of a National Acid Control Council, acid attacks continue, with women being the primary victims. These burns can severely damage large portions of the body.
Radiation Burn:
People can also suffer burns due to radiation exposure, though such cases are relatively rare.
What to Do If You Get Burned
Burns on any part of the body can cause intense pain. The following symptoms are commonly observed at the burn site:
- Redness of the skin
- Peeling of the skin
- Swelling
- Charring of the skin
- The skin turning completely black or white
It’s important to note that even in cases of severe burns, the patient may not always feel extreme pain. This is because deep burns can damage the nerves responsible for sensing pain. Therefore, such cases should never be ignored, and the patient should be taken to a doctor immediately.
First Aid for Burns
High heat can come from two sources: dry and moist.
- Dry heat: Includes fire, heated appliances, and hot metal.
- Moist heat: Includes hot water and steam.
However, the treatment process is essentially the same for both types.
First aid should be initiated as soon as possible, as it can significantly reduce skin damage. Follow these steps for initial burn care:
- Remove the patient from the heat source immediately.
- Extinguish the flames by rolling the person on the ground, wrapping them in a thick blanket, spraying water, or using a fire extinguisher. If clothing is on fire, remove it quickly.
- Cool the affected area by placing it under running water (such as a tap) for at least 20 minutes. If that’s not possible, pour water from a bucket or mug over the area for the same duration. Use normal or slightly cool water—never use ice or ice-cold water.
- Remove clothing and jewelry from the burnt area. However, do not attempt to peel off anything stuck to the skin.
- Cover the burn with a clean, sterile gauze. If gauze isn’t available, use a clean cloth or plastic wrap.
- Wrap the patient in a clean blanket or sheet to maintain body temperature. Be careful to avoid putting pressure or friction on the wound.
- Carefully remove chemically soaked clothing. Until you reach the hospital, wash the burn site with plenty of clean water.
- If the face or eyes are burned, try to keep the patient in an upright sitting position to help reduce swelling. Conversely, if the legs or lower body are burned, the patient should lie down with legs elevated.
- Paracetamol or ibuprofen can be taken for pain relief.
Seek Immediate Medical Attention in the Following Cases:
- Large or deep wounds: If the burn is larger than the size of the victim’s palm.
- Sensitive or critical areas: If the burn affects the hands, feet, eyes, face, soles, or genital areas and causes blistering.
- Skin discoloration: If the skin at the burn site turns white or black, regardless of the size.
- Chemical or electrical burns: Burns caused by chemical exposure or electric shocks require urgent hospital care.
