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.

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First Aid: Burns and Scalds

Severe Burns

Minor Burns

Clothing on fire

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