Link - Good Health Pharmacy

During winter, we all try to keep warm, with fires, paraffin stoves, using electrical heaters, hot water bottles, etc. And while these bring much enjoyed warmth on chilly nights, they come with their own set of dangers - fire and burns.

In our December 2008 issue of the magazine, we featured an article on what you should have in your first aid kit. For winter it is a good idea to add some extra things which are suitable for dealing with burns.

First aid for burns:

Instruments/Equipment

• Sterile, sharp stainless steel scissors for cutting clothing away from the burn and for cutting bandages to size.

Dressings

• Burnshield - this comes in sealed sterile packs and contains a soft sponge saturated with a cooling, antiseptic gel. The sponge doesn’t stick to the wound, but it keeps the area sealed from infections and soothes it at the same time.
• Cling film or plastic-backed wound/burn dressing - wrapped loosely around the wound it will seal the area from possible infection as well as sealing it form oxygen, thus reducing the stinging.
• A rolled up cloth bandage to wrap around the cling film, Burnshield dressing or a plastic-backed wound or burn dressing. Avoid fluffy or sticky bandages and plasters as these will pull away skin when removed.
• A clean pillow slip or plastic shopping bag can also be used on larger burns or to keep burns on the inner side of the leg for example, from touching other skin. Remember not to tie or fasten them too tightly, and a roll of adhesive bandage.
• Hypoallergenic tape for securing dressings

Medications

• Paracetamol, Ibuprofen (Nurofen) or similar pain medication to ease the pain.
• Calamine lotion for mild sunburn or first degree burns - do not use on blisters, dry and peeling skin, or second and third degree burns.

Dealing with burns

1. Immediately flush the affected area with cold running water from the tap for at least 10 minutes (the heat in the burn continues to damage the tissue for a long time after the heat is removed). In an emergency, any source of cold, non-flammable liquid, such as milk, will do.
2. For a chemical burn, flush the affected area with water for 20 minutes and be careful not to touch the wound, as chemicals may remain which could burn or injure you.
3. Remove any jewellery, watches or items that might be constricting.
4. Remove clothing from the affected areacut it away if necessary - but leave any parts that are stuck to the burn.
5. Cover the burn with cling film, or a sterile, non-stick dressing (the type with a layer of clear plastic material next to the wound) or Burnshield - this helps to prevent bacteria from getting to the burn.
6. Monitor the victim while waiting for help (if you have called an ambulance).

WATCH OUT!
* Do not touch the burnt area directly,
* Do not use any kind of fluffy material or fabric (such as cotton wool, gauze or a blanket) on a burn – it could stick and be difficult to remove without damaging or removing the burnt skin.
* Do not use any fat, oil, ointment or any other greasy substance on the burn – it seals in the heat and makes burns worse.
* Do not burst blisters – they protect delicate tissues beneath, until new skin can form.
* Make sure children have a tetanus shot, no matter what the size of the burn is.

Burns caused by fire:

If a person or their clothing is on fire, follow this sequence:
STOP moving around only ‘fans’ the flames.
DROP get the victim on the ground.
WRAP if possible, wrap the victim in a rug, blanket or other heavy material to smother the flames.
ROLL roll the victim over on the ground. The flames should now be extinguished.

CALL AN AMBULANCE OR GET TO A HOSPITAL IF:

• The victim is a young child.
• The burn involves an area bigger than the size of the victim’s hand
• The burn is a second or third degree burn.

First degree burn - skin is red, dry and painful.

Second degree - skin is typically blistered, moist and very painful

Third degree - this involves the deep layers of the skin, which may be pale, charred and /or leathery to the touch.

• The airway is affected (from shock or smoke inhalation)
• The hands, feet, face or genitals are affected
• The burn goes around the entire circumference of the limb.
• The burn was caused by chemicals, electricity, fire or explosions
• A burn is infected

EMERGENCY NUMBERS

Telephone Directory Enquiries

UConnect – an excellent service that will transfer you call to the emergency service you require - ambulance, police etc 0800 123 321
Telkom 10118
Vodacom 082 110

Medical Emergencies

Countrywide Emergency Number (Free on all cellphone networks – MTN, Vodacom and Cell-C) 112
Netcare 911 – 082 911
Medical Rescue International 011 911 8688

Emergency Roadside and Medical

AA (Automobile Association) 083 843 22 – members only

By Laura Evans, Information from: First Aid, Collins 2006, Complete First Aid, New Holland, 2007.
Please ask your Link pharmacist for the Link ownbrand products available for your First Aid kit.