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| EMERGENCY ASSESSMENT |
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| FIRST-AID |
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| FIRST-AID |
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| BURNS Classification First Degree: reddening of the skin. Second Degree: blistering of the skin. Third Degree: destruction of the outer layer of the skin, leaving it charred and seared. Fourth Degree: destruction of the entire thickness of the skin;the lesions penetrate into the soft tissues, muscles, tendons, and bones. Treatment For first degree burns, apply cold cream, petrolatum, or a standard burn emolient. Then put on a dressing and bandage. In burns of other degree, especially severe burns and those extending over a large surface of the body: Treat for shock. Take the necessary steps to preclude the development of infection. Cover the area with a clean dressing. Remove the patient to a warm comfortable room free from drafts. Apply external heat if necessary. Undress the patient very carefully so as not to intensify the pain by rupturing the blisters or by tearing away the skin adhering to the clothing. Cut clothing off in pieces or cut the seams open. To remove burned parts of clothing sticking to the skin, soak them with warm sterile water. Place the patient on a clean sheet. If possible, do not let the burned part rest on the sheet. If there are burned spots on the patient's back, front and sides, have them rest on those sides that are least affected; do not let him rest too long on the same position. By means of a bed cradle, keep the bed clothes from touching the body. Treatment of Chemical Burns If on the skin surface: Check at once the action of the chemical drenching the part with water to dilute and wash away the chemical. After the chemical has been washed away, proceed as with other burns. Remove any clothing that has been splashed with the chemical. If in the eyes: Use tepid water to dilute and wash out the chemical. To make the chemical drain out at the corner of the eye and not let it enter the other eye, introduce the water into the inner corner of the eye and turn the patient's head slightly toward the outside corner. Instill the water with a medicine dropper; this makes it possible to avoid a too forcible entry. When reasonably sure that the eye has been freed of the chemical, instill a few drops of mineral or olive oil into the eye and cover it with a sterile dressing. Have the patient consult a doctor at once since his sight may have been impaired. |
| HEATSROKE AND SUNSTROKE Although both affections are marked by prostration and have largely the same cause, they must be distinguished since each requires certain distinct measures of treatment. Heatstroke, called also heat prostration, is characterized by excessive perspiration, a cold clammy skin, and a subnormal body temperature. Sunstroke is characterized by the cessation of perspiration, a hot dry skin, and a very high temperature. Sunstroke is almost always caused by exposure to the direct rays of the sun, whereas heatsroke may occur not only from outdoor but also from indoor heat, such as that of poorly ventilated tent. Sunstroke in particular is a very grave emergency and is apt to leave traces of its effects on the nervous system, such as permanent disturbances and sensitiveness to even a moderately high temperature. Therefore summon a doctor at once. The patient who has had an attack of either condition should not resume physical activities for several days in order to allow sufficient time for complete recovery from any irregularity of the circulatory system. In a case of sunstroke, the patient must not expose himself to the sun during this period of inactivity since the body remains susceptible to the rays and there may be a recurrence of nausea and vomiting. DIFFERENTIATING SYMPTOMS OF HEATSTROKE AND SUNSTROKE Heatstroke Sunstroke Skin Cold,moist,pale Hot,dry,red Body temp Lowered,subnormal Considerably raised, high fever Pulse Rapid,thready,weak Rapid,bounding,strong Respiration Quiet,shallow Loud,rapid Other signs Excessive perspiration Cessation of perspiration Dizziness,faintness, Nausea,vomiting unconsciousness,heat thirst,drowsiness,un- cramps or painful consciousness,coma spasmodic contractions of the muscles of the limbs and the abdomen TREATMENT OF HEATSTROKE AND SUNSTROKE Heatstroke Sunstroke General A relaxed reclining position Same as for heatstroke Loosen tight clothing Same as for heatstroke Special Lower the head Raise the head Raise the body temp Lower the body temp a quiet airy place, a cool,shady,breezy place, keep the patient well cov- remove the clothing, ered and free from drafts, keep fanning the body, apply external heat make use of cooling articles Give stimulants and means Compress cramped mus- Do not give stimulants cles of the limbs and Do not dash cold water on apply heat;apply heat the patient to cramped muscles Do not immerse him in cold of the abdomen; water give salt water |
| Burns, heatsroke and Sunstroke |
| DONE |