Cynthia Bjorlie, M.D. Directors Corner - Founder of Adult Foster Care of the North Shore

Director's Corner

Burns

Burns

The skin protects us from all sorts of things: infection, heat loss, fluid loss, etc. Burns damage the protective barrier of the skin.
There are different grades of burn:
• 1st degree – redness without blistering (a sunburn for example)
• 2nd degree – burn with blistering
• 3rd degree – burn though the full thickness of skin
• 4th degree – burn down to tendon and bone.

For burns of 3rd and 4th degree, professional medical attention is indicated. Lesser burns can often be treated at home.

Immediate burn attention includes very gentle washing and cold water application for at least five minutes. If blisters form, leave them alone. An intact blister maintains the barrier against infection. If the blister breaks on its own, apply antibiotic ointment and a very loose bandage such as gauze.

Burns hurt. Anti-inflammatory medications (aspirin, ibuprofen,
naproxen) taken by mouth are effective for pain relief. There are also topical sprays for quick relief. Sprays (e.g. Lanacane) contain benzocaine which is an anesthetic to numb the skin. If you have it on hand, it can be very helpful in calming down a troubled child with a minor burn.

When a burn has broken the skin barrier, the major concern is the prevention of infection. The larger the area of burn, the more chance of infection. Usually the daily application of an antibiotic cream and a loose dressing are indicated until scab formation is well underway. A scab is nature’s Band-aid. Leave
scabs alone. Let the skin underneath heal at its own pace.

Here are a few safety tips:
• Cook with pan handles turned in
• Keep a 3 foot kid-free zone around heat sources (furnace, fireplace, heaters)
• Turn off portable heaters in empty rooms.
Stay safe and enjoy your day.

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