A burn can be described as a physical injury caused by heat or cold or electricity or radiation or caustic chemicals.
Burns are one of the most common domestic injuries, especially among children. The term “burn” means more than just the burning sensation associated with this injury.
However, most people can recover from burns without serious health consequences, depending on the cause and degree of the burn.
More serious burns require immediate emergency medical care to prevent complications and death.
However, the amount of damage that a burn can cause depends upon the type of burn, its location, its depth, and how much body surface area that it involves.
Common causes of Burns include:
Scalding from hot, boiling liquids
Burns from chemical
Electrical burns
Fires, including flames from matches, candles, and lighters.
excessive sun exposure (sun burn).
Preventive measures to prevent burns at home include:
Keep children out of the kitchen while cooking.
Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove.
Place a fire extinguisher in or near the kitchen.
Do not wear heels to the kitchen to prevent other home accidents that can lead to spilling hot liquids on your body.
Keep water heater temperature under 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
Get smoke detectors to prevent fire outbreak.
Test smoke detectors once a month.
Keep chemicals out of reach, and wear gloves during chemical use.
Check and discard electrical cords with exposed wires.
Measure bath water temperature before use.
Lock up matches and lighters.
Install electrical outlet covers.
Wear sunscreen every day, and avoid peak sunlight to prevent sun burn.
Things to not do with burns
Do not Peel
Do not break blisters
Do not apply ice, iced water, lotions, moisturisers, oil, ointments, butter or flour, creams or powders to the burn as it makes damage the worst.
