| By definition, a burn may be an injury caused by heat, | | | | bone. This is the highest among the six burn |
| cold, electricity, chemicals, friction, or radiation. In a | | | | categories. |
| recent study done in the United States, approximately | | | | First degree burns, also called low-grade burns are |
| 2.4 million burn injuries are reported each year. And | | | | easy to remedy and prevent. Among the most |
| surprisingly, around eight thousand to twelve thousand | | | | common first degree burn causes are: sunburn, friction |
| burn victims die, and close to one million patients will | | | | burn, chemical burn, scalding, and coldburn. Minor |
| sustain substantial or permanent disability secondary to | | | | burns may cause swelling, blistering, and scarring. For |
| their burn injury. Burn injuries cut a close second | | | | more severe cases it may cause shock and even |
| place to motor-vehicle accidents as one of the leading | | | | death. Severe burns may also lead to infections as |
| cause of accidental deaths in the United States. | | | | the body's protective barrier from environmental |
| There are different classifications on the gravity of a | | | | pollutants is damaged. For any burn injury, immediate |
| burn. This depends on the how much and how deep | | | | burn pain relief is the first thing that comes to mind. |
| a damage it has incurred onto the victim. These | | | | This includes cleaning the burn wound, protecting it |
| classifications are:l First degree burns. Its | | | | from developing infection, etc. Here are a few first |
| effects are usually limited to redness, a white plaque, | | | | aid tips for burn pain relief: |
| and minor pain on the affected site. It usually affects | | | | For minor burns ranging from first to second degree |
| only the epidermis, or the top part of the skin.l | | | | burns:l Cool the burn. Hold the injured area |
| Second degree burns. Aside from the usual | | | | under cool, running water for a minimum of five |
| effects of first degree burns, superficial blisters filled | | | | minutes, or until the pain subsides. If you cannot stand |
| with clear fluid may form. This may also cause | | | | the impact of running water on the wound, immerse |
| moderate pain depending on the level of nerve | | | | the wound in cool water or cool it with a cold |
| damage. This type of burn may involve the | | | | compress. This helps reduce the swelling of the burn |
| superficial and deep dermis layer.l Third degree | | | | wound and provides temporary burn pain relief.l |
| burns. This kind of burn additionally has charring of | | | | Cover the wound with a sterilized gauze bandage. |
| the burnt skin. The charred part may produce hard, | | | | Wrap the gauze loosely around the wound to prevent |
| leather-like eschars. Eschars are dead tissues that | | | | putting pressure on the burned skin.l Taking |
| has separated from the skin surface. The eschars | | | | over-the counter pain relievers. Medications such as |
| often produce a purple fluid. These types of pain are | | | | acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen may help bring |
| usually painless, as the burn has damaged the nerve | | | | temporary burn pain relief.l Do not remove burnt |
| endings surrounding the affected area. Hair follicles | | | | clothing. |
| and sweat glands may be lost due to the deep effect | | | | For major burns ranging from third to sixth degree |
| of third degree burns.l Fourth degree burns. In | | | | burns:l Do not immerse severely large burns in |
| this type of burn, most if not the entire dermis is lost. | | | | cold water as this may cause the victim to go into |
| Because of this, underlying muscles and bones are | | | | shock.l Cover the burn area with sterile, non-stick |
| exposed and eventually burned as well. These type | | | | bandage. This is to ensure that the burnt area does |
| of burns cause irreversible damage to the skin.l | | | | not get further infected. |
| Fifth degree burns. It additionally has charring or | | | | Burns are not simple injuries that can be ignored. Burn |
| burning away of muscles, leaving bones exposed. In | | | | wounds should not be taken for granted. These |
| this type of burn, muscles are roast thoroughly, to the | | | | wounds may become breeding ground for infection if |
| point of immobility, and bones may get burned.l | | | | not cared for properly. If unsure of how to go about |
| Sixth degree burns. This type of burn leaves no | | | | with burn accidents, it is best to call emergency |
| muscle tissue unaffected. All muscle tissues in the | | | | medical service for assistance. |
| affected area is burned away, exposing charred | | | | |