Q. Should I use ice to cool the burn?
No, use water only. Ice may further damage the skin.
Q. Should I put a plaster over a burn to make sure it doesn't get infected?
One should not use any adhesive bandages as it’ll stick to the skin and may cause further damage. Instead the burns should be covered with cling film or a clean plastic bag which will help prevent infection.
Q. If clothes are stuck to the burn, should I try to remove them?
No. Remove any clothing or jewellery near the burned area, but don’t try to remove anything that’s stuck to the burn. This could cause more damage.
Do's for burns
- Call an ambulance for any serious burns. Burns to children or the elderly, electrical or chemical burns as well as burns to the face or genital area, should be attended to immediately.
- Apply CPR if the person is not breathing normally.
- Try to remove clothes and jewellery (from the area that has been burned) only if it is not sticking to the burned area.
- Hold the burned area under gently running water, for about 10 minutes to half an hour.
- To prevent corneal damage (in the case of chemical burns to the eyes), immediately irrigate the eyes with water or a saline solution.
- For second degree burns on the limbs – elevate the limbs higher than the heart.
- To reduce shock as well as loss of body heat, place clean, dry, non-fluffy cloths lightly over the burn.
- Cover the person with a cool, wet, lint-free cloth, while waiting for an ambulance or when transporting the person to hospital.
- Apply lotions, butter, grease or oil to burned area.
- Use ice, as it may cause frostbite.
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