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CD-ROM Today (UK) (Spanish) 15
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0093
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00933.txt
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1994-01-17
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$Unique_ID{BRK00933}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{A Question About the Proper Treatment of Burns}
$Subject{burns first aid Accidents accident Skin superficial mild emollient
softening cream aloe serious burn blister blisters dressing bandaging wound
desiccates scarring synthetic membrane dressings}
$Volume{O-20}
$Log{}
Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
A Question About the Proper Treatment of Burns
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
QUESTION: Would you please help me win a bet? The question is about the
proper treatment of burns. I say they should be left exposed to the air, and
my partner insists they require a dressing to heal properly. Since we have a
lot of minor burns happening in our shop, your answer will not only settle the
bet, but become our rule for burn care.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ANSWER: I may have to hedge a bit, because this answer, like so many in
medicine, depends upon the situation. Let me start with one important rule
for you. All burns should be cooled by applying cold, wet compresses, or if
possible, sticking the injured part into ice water, until proper treatment can
be provided. No butter, no margarine, no grease which can only complicate the
treatment and lead to bacterial infection of the wound. If the burn is truly
minor, that means it is superficial, only causing the skin to become reddened
and tender (the old "first degree" burn), you need only apply a mild emollient
or softening cream to reduce the swelling and pain. Creams which contain aloe
are very helpful. If you consider this a dressing, you have lost your bet.
With more serious burns, which form blisters, or where there is tissue loss,
bandaging is required to keep the wound clean, and protect the area from
further injury, so that healing can proceed without difficulty. In the case
of a blister, the fluid should be removed using a sterile needle, leaving the
skin over the blister in place to protect the underlying tissue and prevent
the wound from drying out. When a burn wound drys out (desiccates), more
cells die, and there is more loss of skin and scarring. Serious burns require
proper dressings that will prevent drying out yet prevent the fluid serum to
accumulate (in which infection may occur), as well as protect the wound, and
not stick to the skin as the healing process progresses. Newly developed two
ply synthetic membrane dressings may be used to accomplish all these goals.
Of course wounds that require such dressings are major and best left to the
care of your physician.
----------------
The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.