Cómo manejar quemaduras: usa el método de cinco palabras

Title: How to Manage Burns: Use the Five-Word Method. Profile: The Spring Festival can lead to burn accidents. Experts recommend first aid attention and prevention.

The Spring Festival is a time for family reunion and joyful laughter. However, a moment of negligence can cast a shadow over warm and festive times.

Recently, the General Surgery Department of Xiangdong Hospital at Hunan Normal University treated two patients: a child who severely burned his hands and face while accidentally igniting fireworks, and a man who suffered steam burns resulting in large blisters while testing a pressure cooker.

Every year during the Spring Festival, such accidents significantly increase, often due to a moment of carelessness. To preserve the happiness of reunion, remember these eight words: prevention first, proper first aid.

(1) The nature of burns and scalds.

Burns from heat typically refer to damage to the skin and tissues caused by thermal sources (flames, hot liquids, steam). Proper initial management can largely prevent the heat from penetrating deeper layers, reduce the severity of the injury, and alleviate intense pain, buying valuable time for subsequent treatment.

(2) Consequences of burns and scalds.

1. Immediate pain:

From redness and swelling of the skin, blister formation, to tissue necrosis, accompanied by unbearable pain.

2. Long-term impact:

Infection and scarring: Deep burns are highly susceptible to infections, and after healing, they may leave permanent scars or hyperpigmentation.

Diminished function: Deep burns occurring on joints, hands, and feet can affect the normal function of activities.

Life-threatening: Extensive burns can lead to severe fluid loss and are even more dangerous when combined with burns to the airways.

Psychological trauma: Changes in appearance can cause lasting social fear and psychological stress.

Remember the five-word motto "Chong, Tuo, Pao, Gai, Song", which can save you from injury in critical moments.

1. Rinse: Immediately rinse the burned area under clean, gentle running cold water for 15-20 minutes. This is the most important step, as it can effectively cool the area and relieve pain.

2. Remove: Carefully cut and remove clothing covering the burn area under cold water. Avoid tearing it off forcefully to prevent secondary injury.

3. Soak: Keep the affected area immersed in cold water for 15-20 minutes to further alleviate pain. However, note that large burn victims should not soak for extended periods to avoid hypothermia.

4. Cover: Gently cover the wound with a clean gauze or towel to protect the area and reduce contamination.

5. Send: Once the previous steps are completed, take the patient to the hospital immediately. This is crucial, especially in cases of extensive burns, deep burns (with white or charred skin), injuries to the head, face, hands, feet, or joints, or if the patient is elderly or a child.

1. Strictly prohibited: do not apply toothpaste, soy sauce, aromatic oils, ashes, or iodine solution on the wounds. These products can contaminate the injury, interfere with the doctor's diagnosis, and even worsen the injury.

Do not puncture blisters: the intact skin of the blister is a natural "protective membrane."

3. It is prohibited to apply ice directly to the wound: it can cause localized frostbite and worsen the injury.

Do not trust home remedies; seek timely medical attention: no folk remedy can replace professional care.

1. Kitchen safety.

Prevention: Position pot handles inward, keep children away from the stove, wear appropriate clothing, and maintain a non-slip floor.

First aid: If you burn yourself with hot oil, immediately extinguish the source of fire; do not use water for cooling (to prevent oil splatter). You can cover the fire with a pot lid and then follow the "rinse, remove, soak, cover, and send to doctor" procedure.

2. Gathering at the table.

Prevention: Keep hot soup near the edge of the table, use public chopsticks to avoid splashes, and children should be supervised by an adult.

First aid: If you burn yourself with hot soup, rinse your mouth immediately with cold water (if the mouth is injured) or cool the skin.

3. Fireworks.

Prevention: Buy certified products, maintain a safe distance, and children should ignite fireworks under adult supervision.

First aid: If clothing catches fire, remember "stop, drop, roll" (stop, drop to the ground, roll to extinguish the fire), then cool the affected area with cold water. If there is eye damage, do not rub or rinse; cover with a clean gauze or eye bandage and seek medical attention immediately.

4. Heating devices.

Prevention: Keep heaters away from flammable materials and turn them off before sleeping. Pay attention to "low-temperature burns": prolonged contact with moderat-temperature heat sources like heating blankets or hot water bags can also cause severe burns.

It is advisable to keep on hand: sterile gauze, medical cotton swabs, iodine (for skin disinfection around the wound), medical tape, and burn dressings.

Important note: Various "burn ointments" are not recommended for home preparation; medication should be administered under a doctor's guidance.

(Edited YT)