How do you cure a 2nd degree burn?

Answer 1

First Aid for Second-Degree Burns

What are second-degree burns?

Second-degree burns are more serious than first-degree burns because a deeper layer of skin is burned. They can more easily become infected. Also, if the burn affects more than 10% of your skin, you may go into shock because large quantities of fluid are lost from the burned area.

All second-degree burns greater than 2 to 3 inches in diameter should be treated by a medical professional. Smaller burns can usually be treated at home.

What causes second-degree burns?

Second-degree burns are usually caused by:

* deep sunburn

* exposure to flames

* contact with hot liquids

* burning gasoline or kerosene

* contact with chemicals.

What are the symptoms of second-degree burns?

The skin is bright red and blotchy and has blisters. It usually looks wet because of the loss of fluid through the damaged skin.

Second-degree burns are often very painful.

What is the treatment?

The goals of treatment for second-degree burns are easing the pain and preventing infection.

For second-degree heat burns without open blisters, follow these steps:

* Remove jewelry or tight clothing from the burned area before it begins to swell.

* Flush the burn with cool running water or apply cold- water compresses (a wet towel or handkerchief) until the pain lessens. Do not use ice or ice water, which can cause more damage to the burned area.

* Try not to break the blisters. If the blisters break, the exposed skin can become infected.

* Cover the burn with a clean (sterile, if possible), dry, nonfluffy bandage such as a gauze pad. Do not put tape on the burn.

* Do not put ointments, grease, petroleum jelly, butter, or home remedies on the burn. These substances can hold the heat in, making the burn worse.

* Keep burned arms or legs raised to reduce swelling.

* Get medical help for second-degree burns greater than 2 to 3 inches in diameter or for burns on the hands, face, penis, buttocks, or vaginal area.

For second-degree heat burns with open blisters, follow these steps:

* Do not remove clothing if it is stuck to the burn.

* Do not run water over the burn or use water on the bandage because it increases the risk of shock.

* Cover the burn with a clean (sterile, if possible), dry, nonfluffy bandage, such as a gauze pad. Do not put tape on the burn.

For extensive second-degree burns that are more than 2 to 3 inches in diameter, see your doctor.

* You will need extra fluids to replace the large quantities of fluids your body loses through the burned area. Your doctor may give you fluids intravenously (through a tube into your vein).

* Your doctor will prescribe antibiotics because the burned skin can no longer protect your body from infection by airborne bacteria.

* Your doctor will either lightly bandage the burned area with an antibacterial dressing or leave it unbandaged.

* Your doctor will prescribe medicine to kill the pain.

* Your doctor may recommend a skin graft to lessen scarring.

* Your doctor may give you a tetanus booster.

For chemical burns, follow these steps:

* Flush liquid chemicals from your skin thoroughly with running water for 15 to 30 minutes.

* Remove any clothing and jewelry on which the chemical has spilled.

* Brush dry chemicals off the skin if large amounts of water are not available. Small amounts of water will activate some chemicals. Be sure to keep the chemicals away from your eyes.

* Cover the burn with a dry, loose bandage.

How do I take care of a burn?

After you have cleaned and bandaged the burn, leave it alone for at least 24 hours to allow the healing process to begin.

Preventing infection in the exposed skin is an important part of the treatment for second-degree burns. If you have been told to change your bandages, follow these procedures to help prevent infection:

* Wash your hands carefully with soap and water.

* Place the fresh bandage on a clean towel.

* Take off the old bandage gently. Soak it off if it sticks to the burn.

* Wash the burned area gently.

* Check for any changes or worsening of the burned area, such as pus, swelling, or increased redness.

* Apply a thin layer of antibiotic cream to the burn.

* Cover with the clean bandage.

How long will it take a second-degree burn to heal?

Usually, second-degree burns heal in 10 days to 2 weeks. There may be few or no scars if the burn was not too extensive and if infection is prevented.

When should I call a doctor?

See your doctor immediately if you have any of the following:

* fever

* puslike drainage from the burned area

* excessive swelling of the burned area

* increased redness of the skin

* numbness or coolness of the skin beyond the burned area on arms and legs

* a blister filled with greenish or brownish fluid or one that becomes hot again or turns red

* a burn that doesn't heal in 10 days to 2 weeks.

Answer 2

First Aid for Burns

The burn area should be put under cool running water, until the pain subsides, for at least five minutes.

If the above remedy is not available, then use cool compresses.

By cooling the burn area, it will help reduce swelling by conducting the heat away from the affected area.

Lightly dab the affected area dry with a soft clean towel.

Cover the affected area with, aloe vera gel/cream or an antibiotic cream, (non oil based).

If necessary use a non-stick sterile gauze bandage (wrapped loosely) to prevent infection.

To help relieve pain, take an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, etc.) naproxen (Aleve) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) or aspirin. Do not give aspirin to children or teenagers.

Burns should be watched for any evidence of infection, such as redness, fever, swelling, oozing or increased pain. If you notice that an infection has developed, get medical attention. There may be some pigment changes in the affected area. Most minor burns usually heal on their own without any major complications. To keep from scaring keep the burn moist at all times with lotion or gel and keep bandage. Do not let the burn dry out or scab over.Keep this way until well heal. This will keep the scaring down.Blisters should not be broken. By breaking blisters, you can cause a greater chance of infection.

When treating burns, it is not recommended to use ice. Applying ice directly on the burned area can further damage the skin or can cause frost bite.

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Answer 3

For first and second degree burns(redness and blisters), you can run the burn under cool water. You can also apply an ice pack or some Aloe Vera gel/spray. If it is really bad, call 911.

Answer 4

For a second degree burn, you should run the blisters under cool water. Then you can apply burn gel or aloe.

Answer 5

They have very different treatments. Do not touch a 3rd degree burn.

Answer 6

You should first cool off the burn under cool water or with an ice pack. Then you can apply burn gel or aloe.

Answer 7

For first and second degree burns(redness and blisters), you can run the burn under cool water. You can also apply an ice pack or some Aloe Vera gel/spray. If it is really bad, call 911.