 BURNS

A. Definition
Burns are a trauma caused by heat, electric current, chemicals
and lightning that affect the skin, mucosa and deeper tissues
(Irna Surgical Hospital Dr. Soetomo, 2001).

B. Etiology
1. High Temperature Burns (Thermal Burn)
a. Gas
b. Fluid
c. Solid material
2. Chemical Burns (hemical Burn)
3. Electric Burn Burns
4. Radiation Burns (Injury Radiation)

C. Signs and Symptoms of Burns

Signs and symptoms of burns include:
Red and swollen skin
 Pain
• The skin looks wet or smooth and moist
 Blister
In severe cases the skin is blackened or burnt scorched

Handling of burns
The steps taken are:
1. Cooling burns
Once exposed to fire, hot objects or hot liquids, immediately
remove clothing around the burn. Do it as soon as possible not
to let the objects or the hot liquid touch the clothes that can
melt into the skin.
Then place the burned area under cold running water for 10 or
15 minutes or until the pain subsides. If this is not practical,
soak the burn in water or cool it with a cold compress.
Compress the wound with gauze. Do not use cotton or other
materials that if it can stick to the skin. Cooling a burn will
reduce swelling and reduce pain. But don't put ice on the burn.
Placing ice directly on a burn can cause a person's body to
become too cold and cause further damage to the wound.
Burns should not be given materials that are dirty and difficult
to dissolve in water such as butter, soy sauce, egg whites,
toothpaste or sticky material, because one of the burns will get
worse.
2. Using lotion
After the burn has really cooled, apply lotion, including those
containing aloe vera or apply a moisturizer for burns to
prevent dryness and to make you more comfortable. For
sunburn, try a cream that contains 1% hydrocortisone.
3. Wrap burns
Cover the burn with a sterile gauze bandage. Don't use soft
cotton or other materials that make the fibers stick to the
wound. Wrap the gauze loosely to avoid pressure on sunburn.
A bandage can prevent too much air from getting burnt, to
reduce pain and protect blisters.
4. Take pain medication
Drugs that can be taken include aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil or
Motrin), naproxen (Aleve) or acetaminophen (Tylenol). Do
not give aspirin to children under 12 years of age.
5. Don't break blisters or bulls
Fluid filled with fluid can protect the skin from infection. If
blisters break, clean them daily with water (mild soap may
also be used). Apply an antibiotic ointment. But if a rash or
redness appears, stop using the ointment.
6. Pay attention to the signs of infection
Minor burns usually heal without further treatment within 1-2
weeks. The wound may heal with changes in pigment, which
means the area that is healed becomes a different color from
the surrounding healthy skin.
Watch for signs of infection, such as increased pain, redness,
fever, swelling or bleeding. If the infection develops, seek
medical help. Avoid new scars on burn scars and avoid
basking in the sun if the burns are less than one year old,
because they can cause wider changes in pigmentation. Use
sunscreen in the area for at least one year.