Guide to diagnosing and treating burn injuries
Burn injuries can be serious. People should educate themselves on how to diagnose a burn’s severeness and how to treat one at home.
Being burned in Connecticut is one of the most painful things that can happen to someone, even if it is a very minor one. The most severe burns require medical attention, while less severe burns can typically be treated at home. Failing to get medical attention when it is required could result in permanent damage. This is why it is a good idea for people to be aware of how to diagnose the severity of a burn and how to treat it at home.
Burn injury diagnosis
The worst kinds of burns are known as third-degree or full thickness burns. These risk damaging tissues underneath the skin, including nerve endings and hair follicles. Because of this, sometimes people do not feel pain in the most severe parts of the burn. They typically present with extreme blistering.
Second-degree burns are when the skin has been blistered, but the damage is limited to the middle and outer layers of skin. These can be very painful and may take a long time to heal. The most common type of burn is a first-degree burn. These can cause redness of the skin but do not result in blisters. First-degree burns will heal relatively quickly and can typically be treated at home.
Burn injury treatment
If a burn has penetrated the skin, there is a high risk of infection. In these instances, the injured person should see a doctor who may prescribe antibiotics. If someone has been burned very severely, there is an immediate risk of shock. This can be mitigated by covering him or her with a blanket, elevating the burned area above the heart, elevating the feet 12 inches and laying him or her flat, though extra precautions should be taken if he or she has a head or neck injury. If the burn is less severe, treatment can be done at home with a basic first-aid kit.
Sterile bandages such as gauze that do not stick are ideal for wrapping a burn. Unlike a normal blister, it is better to stay away from any ointments, and the blisters should be left intact as well. For a first-degree burn, immediately cooling the area under running water can expedite healing and reduce the severity. Always use cold water and not ice, as ice can make the injury worse or more painful.
Many people who end up with burn injuries may end up needing to get medical treatment which can get very expensive. It may be possible to obtain compensation for these medical costs and the pain and suffering involved in such an incident. To explore this option, it may be helpful to contact an attorney in the local area who practices personal injury law.