First Aid: Burns and Scalds

Prompt treatment of burns and scalds may help to limit damage and alleviate pain. Treatment is outlined below:

Severe Burns

• Start cooling the burn immediately under running water for at least 10 minutes
• Dial 999 for an ambulance
• Make the casualty as comfortable as possible, lie them down
• Continue to pour copious amounts of cold water over the burn for at least ten minutes or until the pain is relieved
• You should remove all jewellery or clothing from the affected area, unless it is sticking to the skin. However ensure that you are wearing disposable gloves before doing this.
• Put a clean, non-fluffy material over the burn to protect from infection. Cloth, a clean plastic bag or cling film all make good dressings.
• Treat for shock

Minor Burns

For minor burns, run cold water over the affected area for a minimum of 10 minutes or until the pain eases. Remove any jewellery etc. and cover the burn as detailed above.
If a minor burn is larger than a postage stamp it requires medical attention. All deep burns of any size require urgent hospital treatment.

Clothing on fire

• Stop the casualty panicking or running - any movement or breeze will fan the flames.
• Drop the casualty to the ground.
• If you can, wrap a coat, blanket or curtain (not the nylon or cellular type), rug or other heavy-duty fabric tightly around the casualty. The best fabric is wool.
• Roll the casualty along the ground until the flames have been smothered.

On ALL burns DO NOT:

• Use creams, lotions or ointments
• Use adhesive dressings
• Break blisters

Our thanks to St John Ambulance for providing this information.