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How to Handle Burn Injuries – What You Should Know

Tags: burn

According to figures provided by the CDC, 435 children between the ages of 0 to 19 are treated for Burn injuries daily. But children are not the only ones at risk. Work-related burn injuries among restaurant workers have been a rising issue. For those who work in kitchens, understanding how to treat and care for burns is essential to speeding up recovery times. This includes those who work in kitchens as part of their occupation, as well as those who cook for their families. Here are steps to take immediately after a burn injury has occurred.

Evaluate the degree of the burn
First degree burns that affect only the top layer of skin, also called minor burns, can be treated at home. Such burns typically occur when an individual or child comes in contact with steaming water or oil splatter, or brushes up against a stove.
If the burn is larger than 2 inches, and looks to be oozing, this is a second degree burn, and should be treated by going to the hospital. Other signs of a second degree burn that has penetrated the top 2 layers of skin is if the burned skin has a charred look, or black, brown, or white patches. If the burned individual is a senior or infant, the burn should be treated at a hospital, even if it appears minor.

Third degree burns often occur when a large measure of skin comes into contact with a scalding liquid. Or when a person is exposed to flames or is burned from an electrical or chemical source. Third degree burns must always be treated by medical professionals. Call 911 immediately for help.

Steps to take immediately after a burn
For both first and second degree burns, immediately immerse the burned area in cold water. Do this for 10 to 15 minutes. Ice packs can be applied if running water is not available. Blisters are the body’s natural response to burns. So if blisters form, do not break them. Blisters prevent further damage to underlying layers of skin. Popping blisters can often cause an infection, so if the blister does pop on its own, disinfect the area and then keep it covered. Use a non-adhesive bandage or a sterilized cloth and tape the ends to healthy skin that surround the burn area. Doing this will keep the burn from getting infected. Aloe vera on a first degree burn is often recommended to help ease burn symptoms and speed up recovery times.

Foods that speed up the healing process of burns

After suffering from a burn injury, it’s important to pay attention to boosting one’s vitamin intake. Also if you were on a diet previous to your burn, put that on hold for the time being. Studies point to calorie consumption, particularly carbs, as being key for wound healing. Outside of carbs, other essential elements of a diet that will speed up burn healing include the following:

  • Patients with burns have high protein needs. Protein gets lost through the burn wound, and thus must be supplemented to prevent muscle breakdown. Good sources of protein include eggs, dairy, seeds, fish, and nuts.
  • Vitamin C-rich foods. Vitamin C is essential for repair of all cells and tissue healing. And important for the prevention of infection. Look for vitamin C in citrus fruits and vegetables. Vitamin C foods should be eaten as close to their raw state as possible, as prolonged cooking will destroy the vitamin C content.
  • Broccoli contains high concentrations of phytonutrients that help to reduce inflammation. This vegetable also enhances one’s immune system as it is high in vitamin C.
  • Dark chocolate. Dark chocolate has been found to promote the healing of wounds, including burns, by boosting heart health. It also provides antioxidants, which can help with infection prevention. But make sure the chocolate is at least 70 percent cocoa for the most health benefits.

Image courtesy of [Stuart Miles] at FreeDigitalPhotos.net



This post first appeared on Health Blog | A Unique Health, please read the originial post: here

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How to Handle Burn Injuries – What You Should Know

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