First Aid – Skin injuries

Burns
Burn: Damage to the skin or other body parts caused by extreme
heat, flame, contact with heated objects, or chemicals.
Causes:
 Friction burn
 Cold burn
 Thermal burn
 Radiation burn
 Chemical burn
 Electrical burn
Types:
 First-degree
 Second-degree
 Third-degree
 Fourth-degree
First-degree burns
 Only affect the outer layer of the skin (epidermis)
 Symptoms: skin may be red and painful, no blisters
 No long-term damage
First Aid:
1. Cool it down – hold under cool water until the pain subsides
2. Protect it – cover with sterile, non-adhesive cloth/bandage
3. Treat pain – use ibuprofen or other pain relievers (non-prescription pills)
4. See a doctor
Second-degree burns
 The outer layer of the skin (epidermis) + the dermis has been
damaged
 Symptoms: skin is bright red, swollen, may look shiny and wet,
blisters, will hurt when touched, swelling
a) Superficial second-degree burn – probably no scarring
b) Deep partial thickness burn – may leave scar or a permanent change
in the color of skin
First Aid:
1. Cool it down – 10-15 minutes in cool water,
no ice, don´t break blisters
2. Protect it – cover loosely with sterile, nonstick
bandage and secure with tape
3. Prevent shock
4. See a doctor
Third-degree burns
 Destroys two full layers of your skin.
 Symptoms: black, brown, white or yellow color, doesn´t hurt
-> damages nerve endings
First Aid:
1. Call 911
2. Protect burnt area – don´t soak in water, loosely cover
with sterile, nonstick bandage
3. Prevent shock
4. See a doctor
Frostbite
 Frostbite: freezing of the skin that occurs due to exposure to
cold temperatures
a) Mild frostbite - skin is either red and painful, or white and numb.
b) Severe frostbite - blistering skin, hard skin and possibly gangrene
First Aid:
1. Move the person to a warmer place
2. Remove clothing from affected area
3. Rewarm the affected area until sensation in the skin has returned and the
skin is soft
4. Apply a clean (sterile, if possible), dry clot to the affected area
5. Re-cover the affected area with dry clothing to keep it warm.
6. See a doctor
 Thank you for your attention!

 https://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=31816
 https://www.webmd.com/first-aid/types-degrees-burns#1
 https://www.webmd.com/first-aid/thermal-heat-or-fire-burns-treatment#1
 https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/guide/pain-caused-by-burns#1
 https://www.skinsight.com/skin-conditions/first-aid/first-aid-frostbite