First Aid for Burns and Scalds

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

16th August 2017

  • 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

7th September 2017

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

NHS Guidance – Acid and Chemical Burns

More Links to Treatment for Burns and Scalds

More Links to Treatment for Burns and Scalds

3rd August 2017

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