One may suffer burns that damage the skin due to heat sources such as irons or flames, and the three layers of skin can be permanently harmed if not treated promptly. To avoid any lasting damage from burns, the British newspaper Express reported a set of emergency steps that can be taken before heading to the hospital, as follows:
1. Immediately move the injured person away from the heat source, then cool the burn with running cool or lukewarm water for 20 minutes. Do not use ice, iced water, or any creams or oily substances like butter.
2. Remove any clothing or jewelry near the burned area of the skin, including baby diapers, but do not remove anything that is stuck to the skin.
3. Ensure that the person is kept warm using a blanket, making sure it does not touch the burned area.
4. Cover the burn with a layer of gauze over it. A clean plastic bag can also be used for burns on your hand.
5. Use pain relievers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen to relieve any pain.
6. If the face or eyes are burned, sit up instead of lying down, as this helps reduce swelling.
7. If it is an acid or chemical burn, call for an ambulance, and carefully try to remove the chemical and any contaminated clothing, rinsing the affected area with as much clean water as possible.
