A second-degree burn penetrates the first and second layers of skin: the epidermis and dermis, respectively. These painful burns can cause redness, swelling, pain and blistering. Because they are more than superficial burns, second-degree burns typically occur due to scald injuries, exposure to an open flame, chemical burns or scalding burns due to liquid or steam. While not the most severe level of burn, second-degree burns raise the pulse rate and can cause the victim to go into shock if the burn covers a significant portion of skin.
Immediate Reactions
Immediately after a burn occurs, a person should remove any clothing or jewelry covering the burn (to prevent it from sticking to the wound), then run the burn under cool water for at least 10 minutes. This slows the lingering sensation of burning as well as immediately begins to relieve pain. The water should not be icy cold nor contain ice, as these can cause an adverse reaction and damage tissue.
If a person is going into shock, have them lie flat on the ground and cover them with a blanket if they appear to be shivering.
Assess the Severity
After the burn occurs, evaluate whether professional medical attention is needed. Seek medical attention if the following occurs:
• The burn is on the genitals.
• The person is going into shock.
• The burn is due to chemical exposure.
• The burn covers a large area of the skin.
Also, if a person experiences a fever, numbness or swollen lymph nodes, they should seek medical attention. For all other burns, at-home treatment might be suitable.
At-Home Treatment
If blisters are present, take great care not to open the blisters. Opening the blisters increases the rate of infection as well as slows healing. Instead, take great care to work around the blisters and do not put bandages or adhesive over them or any other burned areas.
Instead, use dry, sterile gauze pads to keep the skin from being exposed to germs or rubbing up against other surfaces. If the burn is on the arms or legs, it might be a good idea to elevate them to reduce swelling. The burn should be loosely wrapped to allow air to circulate around the burn. If the gauze pad does stick to the burn, soak the bandage in warm water to make it more easy to remove. It may also be a good idea to occasionally move the burn area so the skin does not heal too tightly.
Over-the-counter pain medications, such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen or other anti-inflammatory drugs may help ease pain and reduce swelling. Second-degree burns can take anywhere from 10 days to three weeks to heal; however, if the burn does not show signs of improvement in three to five days, medical attention might be needed. Also, if the wound has blisters filled with green or brown fluid or oozing pus, an infection might have occurred, and medical attention is necessary.
Chemical Burns
While second-degree chemical burns should almost always be treated by a medical professional, it is important to use a large amount of water (such as under a shower) to begin initial treatment. Chemicals might react negatively with water, which is why a large amount of water is needed to overcome the chemical reaction. An intravenous line might be necessary to replenish fluids as well as deliver antibiotics to reduce infection.
Tags: medical attention, into shock, amount water, area skin, burn covers, burn occurs