By Mastermind

First off, you must distinguish a minor burn from a serious burn, the degree of the burn, and the extent of damage to the affected area.

The three classifications of first-degree burn, second-degree burn and third-degree burn will help you determine emergency care:

First-degree burn

The least serious burns are known as first-degree burns. In this severity the outer layer of skin (epidermis) is minorly burned. The skin becomes bright pink or red, with swelling and pain often present. Treatment of a first-degree burn is rarely needed unless it covers large portions of the hands, feet, face, groin or buttocks, or a major joint.

The best method of treatment for a burn of this degree is a topical application of Aloe gel.

Second-degree burn

When the first layer and second layer of skin (dermis) both are burned, the injury is called a second-degree burn. The area effected quickly swells and blisters and the skin takes on an intense red, splotchy appearance. Such burns are severely painful.

If a second-degree burn is smaller than 3 inches in diameter, treat it as a minor burn. If the burned area is larger or if the burn is on the hands, feet, face, groin or buttocks, or over a major joint, get medical help immediately.

For minor burns, including second-degree burns limited to an area no larger than 2 to 3 inches in diameter, take the following action:

• Cool the burn. Hold the burned area under cold running water for at least 5 minutes, or until the pain subsides. If this is impractical, immerse the burn in cold water or cool it with cold compresses. Cooling the burn reduces swelling by conducting heat away from the skin. Don't put ice on the burn!
• Cover the burn with a sterile gauze bandage. Don't use fluffy cotton, which may irritate the skin. Wrap the gauze loosely to avoid putting pressure on burned skin. Bandaging keeps air off the burned skin, reduces pain and protects blistered skin.
• Take an over-the-counter pain reliever. These include aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), naproxen (Aleve) or acetaminophen (Tylenol, others). Never give aspirin to children or teenagers.

Minor burns usually heal without further treatment. Watch for signs of infection, such as increased pain, redness, fever, swelling or oozing. If infection develops, seek medical help. Avoid re-injuring or tanning if the burns are less than a year old — doing so may cause more extensive pigmentation changes. Use sunscreen on the area for at least a year.

Caution

• Don't use ice. Putting ice directly on a burn can cause frostbite, further damaging your skin.
• Don't break blisters. Broken blisters are vulnerable to infection.

Third-degree burn

The most serious burns, known as third-degree burns, are often painless and involve all layers of the skin. Fat, muscle and even bone may be affected. Areas may be charred black or appear dry and white. Difficulty inhaling and exhaling, carbon monoxide poisoning or other toxic effects may occur if smoke inhalation accompanies the burn.

For ANY Third-Degree Burn , dial 911 or call for emergency medical assistance.

Until an emergency unit arrives, follow these steps:

1. Don't remove burnt clothing. However, do make sure the victim is no longer in contact with smoldering materials or exposed to smoke or heat.
2. Don't immerse severe large burns in cold water. Doing so could cause shock.
3. Check for signs of repertory circulation (breathing, coughing or movement). If there is no breathing or other sign of circulation, begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
4. Cover the area of the burn. Use a cool, moist, sterile bandage; clean, moist cloth; or moist towels.

Fourth-degree burn

Forth-degree burns are EXTREMLY life threatening and under no conditions should be treated by anyone other than a medical doctor.

Fourth-degree burns are the most serious. The burn extends through the skin into the underlying tissue and may even damage the tendons and bone. The skin is charred black with no flexibility. Because nerve endings have been destroyed, pain is minimal.

Chemical burns

If a chemical burns the skin, follow these steps:

1. Remove the cause of the burn by flushing the chemicals off the skin surface with cool, running water for 15 minutes or more. If the burning chemical is a powder-like substance such as lime, brush it off the skin before flushing, as hydrating the chemical could cause the chemical to become more potent.
2. Remove clothing, jewelry, or gloves that have been contaminated by the chemical to prevent prolonged exposure.
3. Wrap the burned area loosely with a dry, sterile dressing or a clean cloth.

Minor chemical burns usually heal without further treatment, however:

Seek emergency medical assistance if:

• The victim has signs of shock, such as fainting, pale complexion or breathing in a notably shallow manner.
• The chemical burn penetrated through the first layer of skin, and the resulted in a second-degree burn.
• The chemical burn occurred to the eyes, hands, feet, face, groin or buttocks, or over a major joint.

If you're unsure whether a substance is toxic, call the poison control center at (800) 222-1222. If you seek emergency assistance, bring the chemical container or a complete description of the substance with you for identification.