Burn injuries from hot water or hot oil are very common in many people.

However, do you know the first aid steps that should be taken to minimize skin damage after a burn? What you learn today could help save your life or the life of someone close to you.

First aid for burns,

• The first thing is to stop the burning process.
  If your clothes catch fire, remember “Stop, Drop, and Roll”—stop immediately, lie down on the ground, and roll. This helps cut off oxygen and extinguish the fire.

If someone else’s body catches fire, cover them with a blanket or similar material and help them roll on the ground in the same way. Be careful to protect yourself from catching fire.

• Next, remove any clothing, rings, bracelets, or other accessories around the burned area. However, do not try to remove clothing or accessories that are stuck to the skin, as this may cause further damage.
• The most important step is to cool the burn with running tap water at normal temperature for about 20 minutes. This removes heat from the burn area and significantly reduces tissue damage.

Things you should not do,

• Wash burns with ice water
• Apply ice directly to the wound
• Apply substances like butter or oils
• Cover the burn with a clean plastic film (cling film). Do not wrap it tightly. This helps prevent infection.
• A person with burns may lose body heat quickly, leading to a drop in body temperature. To prevent this, cover the person with a clean blanket, making sure it does not touch the burn area.

When should you go to the hospital?

Seek immediate medical care if:

• The burn area is larger than the size of the person’s palm
• There is a deep burn where the skin turns white or charred (black)
• The burn is on the face, neck, hands, feet, joints, or genital area
• The burn is caused by electricity or chemical substances such as acids or alkalis
• There are other injuries along with the burn
• The person shows signs of shock (cold skin, sweating, fast breathing, dizziness or fainting)
• The injured person is a child under 10 years old
• The person has underlying conditions such as heart disease, lung disease, liver disease, or diabetes
• The person has inhaled smoke or soot during a fire

In such cases, it is important to go to the hospital immediately.