Funded by Dan’s Fund for Burns
http://www.adultburnsupportuk.org
info@adultburnsupportuk.org
If you or someone you know has been burned you might not know what to do. Below are steps for First aid treatment of burns and scalds taken from The British Burn Association First Aid Guidelines found Here
Burn First Aid
Burn First Aid
- STOP the burning process:
Remove person/s from the source of the burn, once safe to do so
Extinguish burning clothing using water or the ‘Stop, Drop and Roll’ method
STOP where you are
DROP to the ground and cover your eyes and mouth with your hands
ROLL over and back and forth until the flames are out
Isolate electrical power sources, if safe to do so before attempting rescue
Avoid chemical cross-contamination - REMOVE clothing and jewellery:
Remove any burned/contaminated/damp/constricting clothing, if able to do so
Remove any nappies, jewellery and contact lenses near burned area, if able to do so
Leave any molten/adherent clothing
- COOL the burn with cool running water:
Cool the burn immediately with cool or lukewarm running water for 20 minutes and within 3 hours of injury
If water supply limited, apply a cool water compress using any clean wetted lint free cloth
Change compress frequently over 20-minute period - WARM the patient
Keep the patient, especially children, as warm as possible during cooling: ‘cool the burn but warm the patient’. - COVER the wound:
Cover the cooled burn with strips of cling film or any clean lint free cloth or non-adherent dressing
Do not wrap cling film around limbs or other burned areas
Do not apply cling film to facial burns
Cover irrigated and fully decontaminated chemical injuries with a wet compress
Extract from British Burn Association First Aid Clinical Practice Guidelines
Compiled by: Kristina Stiles and Nicholas Goodwin, April 2018
There is variation in the information found on the internet for the first aid treatment of burns and scalds. The British Burn Association (BBA) is a non-profit making organisation whose membership is made up of those who have dedicated their lives to delivering the best treatment and rehabilitation following a burn injury. The BBA’s First Aid Guidelines is one we trust and have listed the steps for First aid treatment of burns above for your information. The full BBA Statement including first aid for chemical, electrical, tar and bitumen burns, as well as cold burns (frostbite) can be found here.
The NHS guidance for treatment of Burns and Scalds is also one we trust and includes information to help you decide if you should go to hospital. NHS treatment of burns and scalds can be found here.
FIREWORKS: It’s easy to forget that fireworks can be dangerous if not used correctly and responsibly, here is a leaflet reminding us how to Stay safe with fireworks
NHS Guidance on Acid Attacks
NHS Guidance on Acid Attacks
NHS England and leading clinicians/burns specialists have published first aid guidance and information about treatment following an acid attack. Acid attacks can lead to lasting injuries. Acting quickly and carefully to Report, Remove and Rinse can help reduce the impact for victims.
REPORT: dial 999
REMOVE: contaminated clothing carefully
RINSE: immediately in running water
BBA Guideline for Management of Ocular Burns
BBA Guideline for Management of Ocular Burns
British Burn Association Guideline for Initial Management of Ocular Burns: commence immediate irrigation of the eye with water or normal saline for as long as practically safe and possible keeping the patient warm to prevent hypothermia. The full BBA statement/guideline for Initial Management of Ocular Burns can be found here
More Links to Treatment for Burns and Scalds
More Links to Treatment for Burns and Scalds
Video – Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals, NHS Foundation Trust: Burns First Aid and Prevention
Video – Swansea Bay University Health Board: Older Adult First Aid for Burns
Video – Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead: First Aid for Burns
NHS Inform (Scotland): Burns and Scalds Treatment
London & South East England Burn Network: Burns After Care Poster
British Burn Association Statement on Safety with Bonfires, Sparklers and Fireworks: click here
British Burn Association Guideline for Management of Burn Blisters – click here
British Burn Association Guideline for Deroofing Burn Blisters – click here