THE BURNING ISSUE

In the midst of the festive season, the burning issue that gains great significance is fire accidents and burn injuries.

- Swati Amar 

Dr. Venkatesh R., Sr Consultant Plastic Surgeon, Apollo Speciality Hospital, Vanagaram, Chennai talks about prevention of burn injuries and how to handle them.

Common Burn Injuries

Most common burn injuries are thermal burns that are due to heat sources like flames, scalding liquids, steams and hot vessels, followed by electrical and chemical burns.

Severity of Burns

Burn injuries are classified based on the percentage and depth of burns. Usually burn injury less than 40% is not life-threatening, but over 40% is critical. In electrical burn, the impact on blood vessels, muscles and nerves is high with a high mortality rate for electrocution from high tension wires. Chemical and electrical burn injuries are progressive injuries.

How to Handle Burn Injuries?

Remove victim from the source as early as possible.

● Pour water over the victim after rolling the victim in a blanket. The water must be at room temperature.

● Contact time between the fire and the skin should be minimal.

● Do not pour ink, honey, batter or any other liquid agent over the victim.

● Any constricting agents such as dress and jewellery should be removed.