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First aid for thermal injuries. Symptoms, local and general processes after burns. What to do in case of electric shock

Thermal burns are relatively rare in medical practice. So, in peacetime, they are observed in no more than 3-5% of cases and occur more often in everyday life when using faulty heating devices.

Thermal burns can be massive, for example, during fires, disasters, accidents. Burns caused by an open flame are especially dangerous when the upper respiratory tract and a significant part of the body are affected. The more extensive the burn, the more difficult the general condition of the victim and the worse the prognosis.

Burns often occur from the action of superheated steam, hot or molten metal, and an electric discharge. Conventionally, all thermal burns are divided into light and severe. Severe burns are burns that occupy at least 10% of the body surface. It is believed that in this case, the burned person develops the so-called burn disease.

Burns are especially dangerous for children and the elderly. There are differences in the course of burn disease in men and women, women tolerate it more easily.

Depending on the depth of tissue damage, burns of I, II, III and IV degrees are distinguished.

With burns of the 1st degree, only the outer layer of the skin - the epithelium - suffers. It is not difficult to establish this degree. The patient has redness, swelling, swelling and a local increase in skin temperature.

A second degree burn is characterized by the development of a more pronounced inflammatory reaction. Sharp strong pain accompanied by intense redness of the skin and detachment of the epithelium with the formation of small unstressed blisters with light yellow contents.

With burns of the IIIa degree, necrosis occurs - necrosis of all layers of the skin, except for the deepest - germ; the bubbles are sharply tense, their contents dark yellow jelly-like consistency. Lots of burst bubbles; their bottom has a reduced sensitivity to alcohol, injections.

Burn of IIIb degree - deep necrosis - necrosis of all layers of the skin. The blisters are filled with liquid with blood, the bottom of the bursting blisters is dull, dry, often with marble shade; in case of irritation with alcohol, injections - painless.

A burn of the IV degree - necrosis of not only the skin, but also the underlying tissues - tendons, muscles, etc. The burnt surface is covered with a dense crust Brown color(scab), not sensitive to irritation. The depth of tissue damage can be determined only a few days after the injury, when the victim will be in a hospital.

The dimensions of the burn surface in the first hours after the burn are of primary importance in the severity of the victim's condition, and therefore it is necessary to determine them, at least approximately, immediately when providing first aid. The total surface area of ​​a person's body is calculated depending on his height. Physique and fullness are not taken into account.

To determine the area of ​​the burn, two zeros are added to the person's height (in cm). So, in a person with a height of 170 cm, the surface area of ​​the body is approximately 17,000 cm 2, and in a person with a height of 182 cm - about 18,200 cm 2, etc.

To quickly determine the percentage of the burned body surface, the “palm” rule is used: how many palms (palm area is equal to about 1.2% of the body surface area) will fit into the burn area, the same percentage will be the burned surface of the victim's body. Tenths of a percent can be neglected for speed of counting. So, if 10 palms fit on the burned part of the body, then the area of ​​the burn is about 10-12%; fit 18 palms - the burn takes 18-22% of the entire body surface.

If whole body parts are burned, you can also use the "rule of nines", assuming that the area of ​​the head and neck, each upper limb makes up 9% of the body surface; front, back surfaces of the body, each lower limb- 18% each, perineum and its organs 1%. For example, if the entire arm and trunk are burned in front, then the burn is 27% (9% + 18% = 27%), etc.

In cases where the area of ​​the burned body surface is more than 10%, the victim may develop a burn disease. It always begins with the so-called burn shock, which is characterized by a disorder of cardiac activity, blood circulation and disruption of vital organs (brain, lungs, kidneys, glands internal secretion). At the same time, the blood accumulates harmful substances, the volume of circulating blood changes, and if it is not replenished, the victim may die.

How to help with a burn? We must not forget that it must be urgent (especially in severe cases!). First of all, you need to immediately extinguish the flame, rip off the burning clothes from the victim, cover him with something that prevents air access - a blanket, rug, raincoat; remove smoldering things. If a fire broke out in a room, the victim should be urgently evacuated to fresh air (a burn of the upper respiratory tract is very dangerous!):

If the victim's mouth and nose are clogged with ash or soot, they are immediately cleaned with fingers wrapped in a wet cloth.

If the patient is unconscious, it is necessary to take measures to prevent the retraction of the root of the tongue. In this case, you need to nominate him lower jaw forward, grab the tongue with your fingers and attach it with a metal pin to the skin of the chin. You should not be afraid of this manipulation: with a favorable outcome, the wounds on the tongue and chin will heal quickly and without a trace; the consequences of tongue sinking can be very serious (death from suffocation!).

Most available remedy combating burn shock - plentiful drink... The victim must be forced to drink up to 5 liters of warm water (despite vomiting, aversion to liquids, a feeling of fullness in the stomach), dissolving in each liter 1 tablespoon of sodium chloride and 1 teaspoon of baking soda. Of course, this is done only if there are no signs of damage to the abdominal organs, and the victim is conscious.

It is useful to give the patient 2 tablets of analgin or aspirin, butadiene and 1 tablet of diphenhydramine, as well as 20 drops of corvalol, valocordin or cordiamine, valerian tincture, and a tablet of validol under the tongue, together with a drink. These remedies will relieve pain and support heart function.

If burnt remnants of clothing have adhered to the skin, under no circumstances should they be removed and torn from the body! You need to bandage them using a sterile bandage (individual dressing bag), and if they are not there, then from strips of linen fabric, pre-ironed with an iron. The same measures are used for burns with molten bitumen or resin adhering to the skin. Can't rip them off and wash them off chemical solutions... This will only make the injury worse. If conditions permit, and the burn is not very common and is located in an accessible place, the burned area is washed for 15 minutes. jet cold water from the water supply. This has an analgesic, and, consequently, anti-shock effect, allows, to a certain extent, to "revive" the burned tissue. A jet of cold water will also help soak stubborn clothing. After drying the damaged body surface with sterile napkins or a well-ironed linen (cotton) cloth, a dry aseptic bandage is applied to the burn. Ointment dressings are not used in first aid! The burned limb must be immobilized.

Thus, in case of a burn, it is necessary to cool the burned surface, apply a dry sterile bandage, and give the victim heart remedies.

Burns are probably the most severe injury of all, with the exception of falls from a height. Thermal damage (from boiling water, hot objects, and or open flames) is most common, although there may be other causes. Any more or less deep or large burn is a very serious injury that requires the vigilant attention of doctors.

Types of burns

By the type of factor that caused the damage, they are divided into:

  • thermal caused by contact with hot objects, hot water or an open flame;
  • chemical associated with contact with the skin and mucous membranes of various chemical substances, more often acids or alkalis;
  • electrical arising under the influence of electric current;
  • beam, in which the main damaging factor is radiation (solar, radiation).

There is also a second classification - according to the depth of tissue damage. It is important for determining the tactics of treating the patient and predicting the outcome of the burn.

For thermal burns, depending on the depth of tissue damage, there are:

  • I degree - burns in which the skin only turns red;
  • II degree - burns, manifested by the appearance of bubbles with transparent contents;
  • IIIA degree with the appearance of blood impurities in the bladders;
  • IIIB degree with damage to all layers of the skin;
  • IV degree - burns in which they collapse soft tissue under the skin ( adipose tissue, muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones).

First aid is necessary for any degree of damage, since even the smallest injury is accompanied by severe pain. In addition, even after the cessation of exposure to heat on the skin, destructive processes in it can proceed quite long time, exacerbating the injury.

Life-threatening burns

Of course, not every burn poses a serious danger to the victim's life. However, underestimating their severity can lead to the development of serious consequences. People are subject to compulsory hospitalization if:

  • superficial burns with an area of ​​more than 20% of the body (for children and the elderly - 10%);
  • 3rd degree burns with an area of ​​5% of the body surface;
  • burns of II degree and higher, located in shockogenic zones: perineum, face, hands and feet, the most important ligaments;
  • electrical injuries;
  • a combination of skin burns with thermal damage to the respiratory tract;
  • exposure to chemicals.

First aid for burns

Regardless of the cause of the burn, first aid should begin immediately. Each second aggravates the degree of damage, increases its area and depth, worsens the prognosis for the victim.

First aid for thermal burns

The first principle is to stop exposing the skin to heat:

  • remove the victim from hot water;
  • extinguish the flame by throwing a blanket, coat over a person, dousing with water, throwing snow, sand; the victim himself can bring down the flame by rolling on the ground;
  • take a person out from under a stream of boiling water, hot steam.

First step... Remove all smoldering clothing and jewelry from the victim, cutting them with scissors if necessary. The only exception is do not try to peel off synthetics that have melted and adhered to your skin. They should be cut off, leaving the adhering parts in the wound.

Second phase- cooling of the affected surfaces. To do this, use running water (best of all) or applying plastic bags or heating pads with snow, ice, cold water... Cooling helps to reduce pain, and also prevents further damage to deep-lying tissues. It should be carried out for at least 10-15 minutes, but no measures should slow down the transportation of the victim to the hospital. If it is impossible to cool the affected tissue, the burn site should be left open for 10-15 minutes without bandaging - this will allow it to cool with the surrounding air.

Attention! It is strictly forbidden to open bubbles, no matter how scary they seem. As long as the blisters are intact, the skin prevents the infection from penetrating deeper into the tissues. After opening them, microorganisms will get to the wound surface, causing it to become infected and worsening the course of the injury.

In the third stage bandaging of burn surfaces is performed. To do this, use sterile dressings, abundantly moistened with an antiseptic solution (not based on iodine). Panthenol helps very well, which needs to be sprayed completely over the entire surface. In case of hand and foot burns, the burnt fingers should be separated with gauze separators.

If no antiseptic is available, the dressings can be left dry. This is better than leaving the wound open with the risk of infection.

Attention!Never grease burns with fat, oil, cream, egg yolk and other substances that people and the Internet recommend! The result will be disastrous - fats form a film on the wound, through which heat is less likely to escape. In addition, they impair the penetration of drugs into the tissues, with which a person will be treated in a hospital. Finally, as a result of such “ grandmother's methods»Coarser scars are formed.

Fourth stage first aid for burns at home - pain relief. Doctors use narcotic analgesics for this, but at home you can give the victim analgin, baralgin, ketorol, dexalgin - any sufficiently strong anesthetic. You can also anesthetize locally if the house has special anti-burn wipes soaked in antiseptic and local anesthetic.

Fifth stage- correction of fluid losses. To do this, if the victim is conscious and does not have nausea and vomiting, he should be given tea, water, fruit drink in a volume of 0.5-1 liters. Even if he does not want to drink, try to persuade him: this will replenish the loss of fluid through the burn surface and prevent the development the most dangerous complication- burn shock.

In case of chemical burns, first aid is provided in almost the same volume. The only difference is the cessation of exposure harmful factor on the skin is carried out by flushing the chemical with a strong stream of water, preferably running.

Attention! Do not try to neutralize the acid with alkali and vice versa, and do not use baking soda. The release of heat can make the burn combined (chemical + thermal), and the inevitable error in proportion will only aggravate the burn.

If a burn occurs under the influence of dry bulk substances, shake them off the skin as much as possible and only then start rinsing. Try to avoid contact with intact skin.

Electrical burns

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First aid for burns caused by electrical trauma should be started only after reliably eliminating the effect of current on the victim and the rescuer. Disconnect the breaker, turn the switch, cut or discard the live wire. Then transfer the victim to safe place and only then start helping.

The principles of treating an electric burn at the prehospital stage do not differ from first aid for thermal burn... However, the insidiousness of electrical injury is that external manifestations it can be minimal, while internal damage is often catastrophic.

First, it is necessary to determine whether the person is conscious, whether he is breathing, whether he has a pulse. In the absence of these signs, you should not look for burns, but start immediately. Only with the patient's full consciousness can one deal with the local manifestation of trauma - a burn.

Attention! None of your actions should delay the call for an ambulance in case of an electrical injury! Electrical burns are completely unpredictable and people die not because of local skin damage, but because of severe disorders of the heart and nervous system.

Regardless of the degree of burns, their treatment should begin as early as possible. High-quality assistance provided in the first seconds can alleviate the condition of the victim, improve the course of the disease, prevent the development of complications, and in some cases save life.

3. First before medical assistance with thermal, chemical, electrical burns.

Burns - tissue damage caused by high temperature, electric current, acids, alkalis or ionizing radiation. Accordingly, a distinction is made between thermal, electrical, chemical and radiation burns.

Thermal burns. An open fire can injure the skin in just a second. The same can be said about superheated steam and hot metal. However, "harmless" water with a temperature of about 50 ° C can injure the skin, but within a few minutes. The consequences of exposure to high temperatures are very different: from dysfunction of the skin (breathing, touch, protection from infections, blood circulation) to complete necrosis (necrosis) of not only all layers of the skin, but also muscle tissue. Doctors distinguish four degrees of burns. The first is characterized by persistent redness of the skin; swelling is possible. The second degree of burn adds to this the formation of blisters filled with serous (serum) fluid. Under no circumstances should the bubbles be opened: this is a direct road to infection and scars. Do not use creams or ointments without consulting your doctor. Both of these degrees of burn are superficial, after healing they do not leave scars, but ... even a first-degree burn of a large area can cause death of the victim due to a violation of the respiratory function of the skin and general intoxication of the body. In a third-degree burn, large blisters filled with liquid appear amber color, then yellow or white scabs appear in their place, and scars remain on the injured area of ​​the skin. The fourth degree is burnout of the skin and even deeper tissues. There is a dense black or brown scab, blood vessels are thrombosed.

First aid for burns is to immediately eliminate the source of high temperature. Burning clothes are extinguished with water, snow, sand. The victim is thrown thick fabric, stopping the flow of oxygen, supporting combustion. Clothes are cut off, not taken off! The affected areas of the skin are cooled with a stream of cold water and treated with vodka or alcohol solution. Sterile dry napkins are applied to the burn wounds; in case of extensive burns, the patient is wrapped in a clean sheet. The victim of burns should be thoroughly insulated, since chills and a decrease in body temperature are possible. Abundant warm drink: tea or a solution of 1 teaspoon of table salt and half a teaspoon of baking soda in 1 liter of water. If possible, it is helpful to give the victim pain reliever. For minor burns of the first and second degree, it is useful to urinate on the damaged area. Extensive burns, as well as third and fourth degree burns, require urgent hospitalization with gentle (!) Transportation to the hospital. Significant area, as well as deep burns lead to the development of burn disease. First of all, there is a burn shock, then the body is severely intoxicated with the decay products of damaged tissues. Infection of burnt surfaces leads to suppuration. Self-treatment of burn disease is almost impossible; qualified medical assistance is required. Do not self-medicate or practice on others, especially with thermal burns to the eyes or respiratory system.

If the conduct household, working conditions or one's own inattention make small-sized burns of the first and second degree a common phenomenon, it is useful to prepare for the future and have at hand simple means of traditional medicine: 3% propolis solution: apply a sterile napkin moistened with it to the burnt place; Pour 40 g of dry crushed nettle leaves with 200 ml of a 40% alcohol solution (vodka), close tightly in a glass container and leave for two days. Strain. Moisten a clean napkin with infusion and bandage the burned area. From ready-made medicines in a home medicine cabinet, doctors recommend having vinylinine, Kalanchoe juice, calendula ointment, Vishnevsky liniment.

Chemical burns Chemical burns are caused by exposure to aggressive chemicals, most often acids and alkalis. The health, and sometimes the life of the victim, depends on the speed and effectiveness of first aid before the arrival of doctors. First of all, it is necessary to remove clothes soaked in a caustic reagent and immediately start rinsing the affected areas with cold running water. This procedure should last 10-15 minutes if rinsing is started immediately, and at least half an hour if there was a delay. Only after that, the affected area is treated with a solution of baking soda if the burn is caused by acid, and a weak solution of vinegar if the cause of the burn is alkali. It is possible to determine which chemical substance caused the burn by the painted burn surface: a burn with sulfuric acid gives a brown or black color, nitric acid gives a yellow-brown color, and hydrochloric acid- yellow. Alkali burns are colorless. Quicklime is not washed off the skin, but peeled off! Otherwise, the reaction of quicklime with water will lead to additional thermal damage. The burned surface is covered with a sterile dry dressing and the patient is given anesthetic. Very often chemical burns are accompanied by general poisoning of the body, requiring medical intervention... A burn of the cornea with alkali is especially dangerous: it causes irreversible clouding of the cornea.

Chemical and thermal burns occur most often due to negligence, inattention, violation of the most simple rules safety precautions. Observe elementary precautions, then this article will remain general education for you, and you will be able, if necessary, to competently provide the very first aid to the victim.

Electrical burns. After the release of the victim from the action of the electric current, it is necessary to assess his condition.

If the victim has no consciousness, breathing, pulse, skin covering bluish, and the pupils are wide (0.5 cm in diameter), it can be considered that he is in a state of clinical death, and it is necessary to immediately begin to revive the body using artificial respiration using the mouth-to-mouth or mouth-to-nose method "and external heart massage.

If the victim breathes rarely and convulsively, but his pulse is felt, it is necessary to immediately begin to do artificial respiration.

Having started to revitalize, you need to take care of calling a doctor or ambulance. This should be done by someone who is not helping, who cannot interrupt assistance, but someone else.

If the victim is conscious, but before that he was fainted or was in an unconscious state, but with a stable breathing and pulse, he should be laid on a mat, unbuttoned clothes that impede breathing, create an influx of fresh air, warm the body, if it is cold, provide coolness if it is hot, create complete peace, continuously monitoring the pulse and breathing, remove unnecessary people.

If the victim is unconscious, it is necessary to observe his breathing and, in case of respiratory failure due to the retraction of the tongue, push the lower jaw forward, grasping its corners with your fingers, and maintain it in this position until the tongue sinking stops.

If the victim vomits, it is necessary to turn his head and shoulders to the left to remove the vomit.

In no case should the victim be allowed to move, let alone continue to work, since the absence of visible severe damage from electric current or other reasons does not exclude the possibility of a subsequent deterioration in his condition. Only a doctor can decide the question of the state of health of the victim.

Relocate the victim to another location only when he or the person providing assistance continues to be in danger or when it is not possible to provide assistance on the spot (for example, on a support).

In no case should the victim be buried in the ground, as this will only bring harm and lead to the loss of precious minutes for his salvation.

In the event of a lightning strike, the same assistance is provided as for an electric shock.

If it is impossible to call a doctor to the scene of the accident, it is necessary to ensure the transportation of the victim to the nearest medical institution.

The victim can only be transported with satisfactory breathing and a steady pulse. If the condition of the victim does not allow him to be transported, it is necessary to continue to provide assistance.


4. Combustion; fire and explosive substances.

The purpose of the test is to determine the value of the critical surface heat flux density (KPPTP), at which a stable flame combustion of the material occurs, on the basis of which a group of flammable material is established.

Combustion is a complex physicochemical process of the interaction of a combustible substance and an oxidizer, characterized by a self-accelerating transformation and accompanied by the release a large number heat and light.

For the occurrence and development of the combustion process, a combustible substance, an oxidizing agent and an ignition source are required, initiating the reaction between the fuel and the oxidizing agent.

Combustion usually takes place in the gas phase.

Therefore, combustible substances in a condensed state (liquids, solids), for the occurrence and maintenance of combustion, must undergo gasification (evaporation, decomposition), as a result of which combustible vapors and gases are formed in an amount sufficient for combustion.

Combustion is distinguished by a variety of types and features caused by heat and mass transfer processes, gas-dynamic effects, kinetics of chemical transformations, etc.

Combustion can be homogeneous or heterogeneous depending on the state of aggregation of combustible substances.

During homogeneous combustion, the components of the combustible mixture are in a gaseous state.

Moreover, if the components are mixed, then the combustion of the premixed mixture occurs, which is sometimes called kinetic

If the gaseous components are not mixed, then diffusion combustion occurs.

To maintain heterogeneous combustion, the flow rate of combustible vapors from condensed materials plays an important role.

Combustion also differs in the speed of flame propagation, and depending on this factor, it can be deflagration (flame speed within a few m / s), explosive (flame speed up to hundreds of m / s) and detonation (speed of the order of thousands of m / s ).

The study of the fire and explosion hazard properties of substances and materials circulating in the production process is one of the main tasks of fire prevention aimed at excluding a combustible medium from the fire system.

In accordance with GOST 12.1.044 and NPB 23, according to the state of aggregation, substances and materials are divided into:

GASES - substances whose saturated vapor pressure at a temperature of 25 ° C and a pressure of 101.3 kPa (1 atm) exceeds 101.3 kPa (1 atm).

LIQUIDS - the same, but the pressure is less than 101.3 kPa (1 atm). Liquids also include solid melting substances, the melting point or dropping point of which is less than 50 ° C.

SOLID - individual substances and their mixtures with a melting point or dropping point above 50 ° C (for example, petroleum jelly-54 ° C), as well as substances that do not have a melting point (for example, wood, fabrics, etc.).

DUSTS - dispersed (crushed) solids and materials with a particle size of less than 850 microns (0.85 mm);


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A - in the workplace when using equipment for personal purposes - is investigated non-production.

B - in the workplace, working overtime - being investigated by the industrial.

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A burn is usually understood as a violation of the integrity of tissues caused by high or low temperatures, chemicals, electric shock and other factors. In this case, a special danger is burn shock, therefore pre-medical measures are aimed, among other things, at its prevention. We will tell you how to properly provide first aid for burns by high temperatures, chemicals and other types of exposure.

Types of burns and their features

There are several types of classification of burns. According to the situation in which they arose, they distinguish military, household, industrial and other burns. By the mechanism of appearance - thermal, electrical, chemical, radiation, and so on. Let's get acquainted with them in more detail.

Thermal burn

Most common. It occurs when a part of the body comes into contact with an open fire, hot surfaces, steam, boiling water, etc. With thermal burns, the skin or mucous membranes can be damaged, in severe cases, muscle tissue is affected. The severity of the injury depends on the duration of the victim's contact with the fire, the thermal conductivity of the hot substance, and other factors.

Allocate 4 degrees of thermal burn

(Infographics and poster first aid for burns on stands, available by clicking the download button )

Burns weighing up to grade III-A inclusive, can be treated at home with conservative methods. More serious damage is restored only with the help of surgery.

Another type of thermal burn is frostbite. Occurs when exposed to low temperatures, for example, when in contact with gases. It is characterized by severe redness of the skin, the appearance of bubbles and spots. With deep frostbite (on contact with liquid nitrogen) the skin may turn black, symptoms of severe intoxication appear.

Chemical burns

They occur when certain substances are exposed to the skin or mucous membranes. The greatest danger in this case is represented by:

  • Acids;
  • alkalis;
  • phosphorus, etc.

Many household products can also cause burns.

Acidic chemical burns are characterized by the formation of a dry and dense scab. When exposed to sulfuric acid, the crust becomes black, if the burn is obtained with nitric acid, the scab is yellowish. Edema and redness of the skin are moderate.

In case of burns with alkalis, a soft scab has White color, with a deep burn - light green. Swelling and redness of the skin is significant. There are signs of intoxication of the body - nausea, vomiting, fever.

Other burns

Radiation burns - occur when exposed to radiation or sun rays... Almost always accompanied by nausea, vomiting, depression. Radiation burns cause reddening of the skin in the area hair follicles, as well as near greasy and sweat glands edema is formed, blood circulation in the capillaries is disturbed.

Electrical burns - formed when an electric current passes through the victim's body. This injury can occur from contact with the electrical network or being struck by lightning. In most cases, the damage characteristic of a burn is visible only at the point of entry and exit of the current, however similar changes occur in tissues along the path of electricity.

Also, burns can be combined - caused by a combination of several factors.

Read the article:

First aid for thermal burns

The algorithm for providing first aid for a thermal burn will depend on its severity. The depth of the skin lesion can be judged by the behavior of the victim. So, with burns of degrees III-A and IV, a person does not respond to touching the wound with a swab dipped in alcohol. Also, in this case, the hair in the affected area can be pulled out without difficulty.

It is also important to assess the area of ​​the lesion. In medicine, it is accepted that the area of ​​each of the zones listed below is 9% of the body area:

  • Head and neck;
  • hands;
  • breast;
  • stomach;
  • back;
  • shin;
  • hip;
  • genitals.

Having quickly assessed the condition of the victim, you can begin to provide first aid.

Algorithm and procedure for providing first aid for burns of I and II degrees:

  1. Eliminate the factor causing the burn. If the clothes are on fire, douse the victim with water or wrap it in a thick cloth.
  2. Treat the burn with a mild potassium permanganate solution.
  3. Apply a bandage or clean cloth over the injury.
  4. With a large area of ​​the burn, treat it with Panthenol or Alazol ointment.
  5. Pain relievers can be given in case of pain.

In case of signs of infection - the development of edema, purulent discharge, increase in body temperature, consult a doctor. At normal course the skin will recover on its own.

Actions for a 3rd degree burn:

  1. Assess the condition of the victim - pulse, breathing, response to external stimuli.
  2. Call an ambulance.
  3. Place a clean cloth soaked in cold water on the burned area.
  4. If you burn your fingers, try to remove the rings (if any) from them, isolate the affected finger from the healthy one.
  5. Give pain relievers and plenty of fluids to prevent burn shock.

Do not stop monitoring the victim's condition until the ambulance arrives. Special attention pay attention to behavior, pulse and breathing.

Actions for IV degree burns:

  1. Remove the source of the burn.
  2. Call the ambulance brigade.
  3. Assess the condition of the victim.
  4. Remove clothing from it, except for areas that have adhered to the skin.
  5. Wrap the victim in a blanket, jacket, or similar to prevent heat loss, which is dangerous with a grade IV burn.
  6. Take measures to prevent burn shock - give any strong pain reliever or a combination of one diphenhydramine tablet with two analgin tablets.
  7. Give an abundant drink, you can hot tea or mineral water.

Remember that the wound is sterile by default when the burn occurs. Do not put plants, potatoes, sour cream on it, egg yolk and other traditional medicine. This will help avoid infection.

If the head, respiratory organs, genitals are affected, an ambulance should be called, regardless of the degree of the burn.


First aid for frostbite

The principles of providing first aid for exposure to low temperatures depend on what caused the injury. So, in case of a burn with liquid nitrogen, you need to do the following:

  1. For deep burns, call an ambulance.
  2. The unconscious person must be taken to fresh air.
  3. Wash the burned area with water, the temperature of which does not exceed 45 0 C, until the skin turns red.
  4. Apply a sterile bandage.
  5. Do not stop monitoring physiological indicators.

In case of burns by low temperatures, it is forbidden to rub the affected area, give alcohol, allow sharp drop temperature (quickly heat the damaged area of ​​the skin).

Read the article:

First aid for chemical burns

First aid methods for chemical burns from the substance with which the victim was in contact.

Let's consider the basic rules:

  1. If the victim does not breathe, does not respond to anesthetic, the substance has got on the genitals or the affected area is more than 7.5 cm 2, you must immediately call an ambulance.
  2. In case of burns with acid or liquid alkali, rinse the skin with plenty of water for 10-15 minutes.
  3. It is not necessary to use neutralizers: the reaction that occurs will aggravate the burn.
  4. In case of damage with phosphorus powder, it is first removed with tweezers, then rinsed abundantly with water. The same applies to any powdered alkalis.
  5. You cannot wash off quicklime with water.
  6. It is forbidden to pour water on the skin if the burn is caused by organic aluminum compounds: they will catch fire.
  7. After treating the burn, you need to apply a sterile, but not tight bandage and wait for the arrival of the ambulance team or take the victim to the hospital on your own. Better if it is a burn center or department.

With chemical burns, it is good if you manage to take a little substance in a jar. This will help doctors determine what is causing the problem and quickly navigate further therapeutic measures.

General rules for first aid

The level of education in the field of first aid is poor, so eyewitnesses of the incident often make mistakes. Let's give general rules.

  1. Even in the case of a thermal burn of the 1st degree, it is necessary to monitor the patient's condition, his pulse, breathing, and reaction. Moreover, this must be done in more severe conditions.
  2. Blisters should not be opened for any kind of burn.
  3. It is forbidden to apply oils, compresses and other means, including folk remedies.
  4. Do not rub the affected skin in case of frostbite, give the victim alcohol.
  5. It is important to take measures for your own safety, to protect your hands from infection with latex gloves, if possible.

If, in the course of providing first aid for burns, a person was given any pain relievers or other means, you need to remember their name, then inform the medical specialist who receives the victim. This information may be important for further treatment burns.

Sources:

  • Fainshtein V.I. "Safety in the production and use of air separation products."
  • The textbook by D.V. Marchenko "First health care in case of injuries and accidents ”.

Burns - it is tissue damage caused by heat, chemicals, electricity or radiation. Burns are accompanied by severe pain syndrome- people with extensive burn surfaces and deep burns develop shock phenomena.

Four degrees of burns

Depending on the depth of damage to the skin and tissues, there are four degrees of burns (Fig. 1), mild (I), moderate (II), severe (III) and extremely severe (IV).

In case of 1st degree burns (redness and slight swelling of the skin), moisten the burned area with a weak solution of potassium permanganate, alcohol.

In case of second-degree burns (the skin is covered with bubbles with a transparent liquid), a sterile bandage moistened with a solution of potassium permanganate and alcohol should be applied to the burn. Do not pierce bubbles and remove parts of clothing adhering to the burn site.

Rice. 1. Burns of the hand: 1 - I and II degrees; 2 - II and III degrees; 3 - deep burn of III and IV degree

In case of burns of III and IV degrees (necrosis of the skin and underlying tissues), a sterile bandage should be applied to the burn and all measures should be taken to deliver the victim to a hospital.

The course and severity of burns, as well as the recovery time, depend on the origin of the burn and its degree, the area of ​​the burned surface, the characteristics of first aid to the victim and many other circumstances. The most severe burns are caused by flame, since the flame temperature is several orders of magnitude higher than the boiling point of liquids.

Thermal burns

At thermal burn first of all, it is necessary to quickly remove the victim from the fire zone. At the same time, if a person's clothes are on fire, it is necessary to immediately take them off or throw on a blanket, coat, bag, etc., thereby stopping the access of air to the fire.

After the flame is knocked down from the victim, sterile gauze or just clean bandages from the material at hand should be applied to the burn wounds. A victim with severe burns should be wrapped in a clean sheet or cloth, without undressing him, covered warmly, given warm tea and rest until the doctor arrives. The burnt face must be covered with sterile gauze. For eye burns, cold lotions should be made from a 3% solution. boric acid(half a teaspoon of acid in a glass of water). The burn surface should not be lubricated with various fats. This can cause the victim even more harm, since dressings with any fats, ointments, oils only contaminate the burn surface and contribute to wound suppuration.

Chemical burns

Chemical burns arise as a result of exposure to the skin and mucous membranes of concentrated inorganic and organic acids, alkalis, phosphorus, kerosene, turpentine, ethyl alcohol as well as some plants.

In the event of a chemical burn, the first step is to quickly remove or cut clothing soaked in the chemical. Chemical substances that have gotten on the skin should be washed off with a large amount of water from the tap until the specific smell of the substance disappears, thereby preventing its effect on tissues and the body.

Can't be washed off chemical compounds that ignite or explode on contact with water. In no case should you treat the affected skin with tampons, napkins moistened with water, since in this case the chemical compounds are rubbed into the skin even more.

A bandage with a neutralizing or disinfecting agent or a clean dry bandage is applied to the damaged skin. Ointment (vaseline, fat, oil) dressings only accelerate the penetration of many fat-soluble chemicals into the body through the skin (for example, phosphorus). After applying the bandage, you need to try to eliminate or reduce the pain, for which purpose give the victim an anesthetic inside.

Acid burns are usually very deep. A dry scab forms at the site of the burn. If acid gets on the skin, rinse the affected area abundantly under running water, then neutralize the acid and apply a dry bandage. When the skin is affected by phosphorus and its compounds, the skin is treated with a 5% solution of copper sulfate and then with a 5-10% solution of baking soda. First aid for burns with alkalis is the same as for burns with acids, with the only difference that alkalis are neutralized with a 2% solution of boric acid, solutions citric acid, table vinegar.

In case of contact of acid or its vapors in the eyes or in the mouth, it is necessary to rinse the eyes or rinse the mouth with a 5% solution of baking soda, and in case of contact with caustic alkalis - with a 2% solution of boric acid.

Electrical burns

Electrical burns arise from the action of an electric current, the contact of which with tissues, primarily with the skin, leads to a transition electrical energy in heat, as a result of which coagulation (clotting) and tissue destruction occurs.

Local tissue damage during electrical burns manifests itself in the form of so-called current signs (marks). They are observed in more than 60% of victims. The higher the voltage, the stronger burns... A current in excess of 1000 V can cause electrical burns throughout the entire limb, on the flexor surfaces. This is due to the occurrence of an arc discharge between two contacting surfaces of the body during convulsive muscle contraction. Deep electrical burns occur when injured by a current of 380 V and above. In case of electrical injury, there are also thermal burns from exposure to the flame of a volt arc or ignited clothing, sometimes they are combined with true burns.

By the depth of the lesion, electrical burns, like thermal burns, are divided into four degrees.

The appearance of an electrical burn is determined by its location and depth. Due to the convulsive contraction of the muscles, gross immobility of the joints (contracture) is observed, the scars are more coarse than with a thermal burn. After the healing of electrical burns, in addition to contractures and rough scars, neuromas (nodular formations on the affected nerves) and long-term non-healing ulcers develop. If an electrical burn was in the head area, then baldness develops.

First aid consists in releasing the victim from the action of an electric current, if necessary - carrying out resuscitation measures. Are superimposed on the areas of burns aseptic dressings... After providing first aid, all victims of electric shock should be referred to a hospital for observation and treatment.

Radiation burns

Radiation burns- lesions resulting from local exposure to the skin of ionizing radiation.

The nature of radiation injuries depends on the dose of ionizing radiation, the characteristics of the spatial and temporal distribution, as well as on the general state of the organism during the period of exposure. High-energy X-ray and gamma radiation, neutrons with a high penetrating ability, have an effect not only on the skin, but also on the deep-lying tissues. Low-energy beta particles penetrate to a shallow depth, causing lesions within the thickness of the skin.

As a result of irradiation of the skin, its cells are damaged with the formation of toxic products of tissue decay.

Radiation burns can result from local tissue overexposure during radiation therapy, accidents nuclear reactors, contact with the skin of radioactive isotopes. Under the conditions of the use of nuclear weapons, in the event of radioactive fallout, radiation illnesses may occur on unprotected skin. With simultaneous general gamma-neutron irradiation, the occurrence of combined lesions is possible. In such cases, burns will develop against the background of radiation sickness.

Periods of radiation burn

There are four periods of radiation burn.

First- early radiation reaction - is detected after a few hours or days from exposure and is characterized by the appearance of erythema (redness).

Erythema gradually subsides, and manifests itself second period - hidden - during which no manifestations of radiation burn are observed. The duration of this period is from several hours to several weeks, the shorter, the more severe the lesion.

In the third period - acute inflammation, the appearance of bubbles, radiation ulcers is possible. This period is long - several weeks or even months.

The fourth period is recovery.

Radiation burns

There are three degrees of radiation burns.

First degree radiation burns(lungs) occur at a radiation dose of 800-1200 rad. The early reaction is usually absent, the latent period is more than 2 weeks. In the third period, there is a slight edema, erythema, burning and itching in the affected area. After 2 weeks, these phenomena subside. At the site of the lesion, hair loss, peeling and brown pigmentation are noted.

Second degree radiation burns(moderate) occur at an irradiation dose of 1200-2000 rad. An early reaction is manifested as mild, transient erythema. Sometimes weakness develops headache, nausea. The latent period lasts about 2 weeks. During the period of acute inflammation, pronounced erythema and edema appear, capturing not only the skin, but also deeper tissues. In place of the former erythema, small bubbles filled with transparent liquid appear, which gradually merge into large ones. When the bubbles are opened, a bright red erosive surface is exposed. During this period, the temperature may rise, pain in the affected area increases. The recovery period lasts 4-6 weeks or more. Erosion and ulceration are epithelized, the skin of these areas becomes thinner and pigmented, thickens, an expanded vascular network appears.

Third degree radiation burns(severe) occur when irradiated at a dose of more than 2000 rad. An early reaction develops rapidly in the form of edema and painful erythema, which lasts up to 2 days. The latent period is up to 3-6 days. In the third period, edema develops, sensitivity decreases. There are punctate hemorrhages and foci of skin necrosis of a purple-brown or black color. At high doses of radiation, not only the skin is killed, but also subcutaneous tissue, muscles and even bones, vein thrombosis occurs. The rejection of dead tissue is very slow. The resulting ulcers often recur. The patients have fever, high leukocytosis. It proceeds with severe pain syndrome. The recovery period is long - many months. In places of healed scars, unstable rough scars are formed, ulcers are often formed on them, prone to degeneration into cancerous ones.

With superficial radiation burns, not accompanied by a general reaction of the body, only local treatment... Large bubbles are opened. Dressings with antiseptics, antibiotics and wet-drying dressings are applied to the affected surface. Under the bandages, small bubbles dry up, and a scab forms in their place.

For more severe radiation burns, complex, including surgical, treatment is carried out in stationary conditions, including restorative therapy, blood transfusion and blood substitutes.