Household burns are among the most common domestic injuries that can affect our daily lives. The longer our skin has been in contact with fire, a hot liquid, steam or a hot surface, the deeper the skin burn. Burns by contact are added to burns with chemicals or burns produced with a source of electricity. Dr Roxana Lungoci, plastic surgeon, offers valuable information regarding the healing of the skin as quickly as possible, without superinfections.
If you suffer accidental burns at home and have questions, you can schedule online consultation with one of the doctors available on the Digital Clinics platform for competent advice.
For a correct approach, burns are divided into burns into I, II and III degree burns.
First degree burns are superficial burns, in which only the epidermis is involved. This includes the so-called sunburn or household burns that are manifested by reddening of the skin. This type of burns heals itself or with the help of special ointments recommended by doctor. We have talked about sunburns in a large article on our website.
Second degree burns affect the dermis at a more superficial level, in which case we are talking about Grade IIA which is a burn that can be cured with specialized treatment and debridement (cleaning of dead tissue - n.r.) in 10-14 days. There is also Grade IIB which involves almost the entire dermis; it heals much harder, leaves scars and may even require grafting (when the burn has reached depth, in this case healing will no longer be ensured by ointments). The last category can include burns caused by wax for hair removal, those caused by the pressure cooker or the brandy boiler in the countryside, burns with oil or with the iron. These are among the most common types of domestic burns.
Third degree burns usually cover the entire thickness of the skin, heal only with skin grafting, leave scars and require hospitalisation. Third degree burns also include burns caused by electric power. They have a certain peculiarity. "In the case of burns caused by electric power, there is no doubt that you must urgently go to the doctor, and not only to the plastic surgeon, but even to a cardiologist!", says Dr. Roxana Lungoci. And she explains why! "In the case of burns caused by electric current, the surface of the burned skin may be small, but the risk of serious heart problems is very high after electrocution. This reality should not be ignored, therefore in the case of electrocution burns, the cardiologist should be visited even before the specialist in burns and plastic surgeon."
To all the three degrees of burn are added respiratory tract burns, often resulting from strong fires or work accidents. Airway burns occur following an explosion in a confined space, requiring hospitalisation, connection to an oxygen machine, and continuous monitoring.
First aid in case of superficial or moderate accidental burns is required as soon as possible. The first minutes after the burn is very important. "The most important thing is to put cold water over the burn because water cools the tissue and limits the depth of the burn. Sometimes we see patients who were treated home with egg white, carrot, broth, raw cabbage and other similar substances. But all this contributes to the infection of the burn".
The burn actually produces an injury to the skin, and contact with such products leads to infection. After keeping it under cold water for 10-15 minutes, apply a bandage with Dermazin (it can be found at the pharmacy, it has silver molecules with antibacterial effect). It is bandaged and the dressing is left for 48 hours. Dermazin is applied in a thick layer and, in this way, the dressing will not stick to the wound, the burn will not hurt and the secretion that usually occurs after a burn is limited, preparing the area for healing. Or, if the burn also requires presentation to the doctor, the area is thus prepared for debridement (cleaning the wound).
Third-degree burns represent a medical emergency and most often require hospitalization and treatment to avoid infections and to rebalance fluid and electrolytes. There is no home cure in such cases! Chemical and electrical burns also require hospitalization.
• Put cold water over 1st and 2nd degree burns because water cools the tissue and limits the depth of the burn;
• Do not put egg white, carrot, broth, raw cabbage over the burn because they super-infect the burn;
• Following an electrical burn, a cardiologist must also be consulted.
