WATCH OUT FOR BURNS!
As the cold days of winter are ahead of us, the experts especially warn families with small children against possible burns from heaters such as stoves, electric heaters, etc. The experts stated that 70% of burn incidents, which may cause people to get deformed, crippled, or die, happen at home. Melahat Kızıl, Lecturer at Izmir University of Economics, Vocational School of Health, stated that the skin was the largest organ of the body which protected the tissues from injuries.
Kızıl indicated that a burn was a type of injury to flesh or skin caused by heat, electricity, chemicals, friction, or radiation, and stated that the type, depth, and severity of the burn played a significant role in treating the burn. First degree burns caused pain, edema, and discomfort in people and took approximately 7 days to heal. “Second degree burns appear moist and it is red or salmon pink. Pain exists. Blisters may not appear. Healing takes 7 to 21 days. In third degree burns, the injury extends to fat cells. Minor bleeding may occur. Healing is not possible, skin transfer is required,” reported Kızıl.
‘Medical Advice for Burns’
Kızıl said that people should avoid putting yoghurt, tomato paste, toothpaste, olive oil on burned areas, and she said that the injured area should be kept under running water (not too cold) for at least 10 – 15 minutes or until the pain is gone. Kızıl, who suggested plenty of water intakes for large burns, made the following recommendations:
“70% of burn incidents take place at homes which result in improper first aid. Do not ever put ice directly on a burn. Children 2 and over may be given pain killers. They usually heal on their own. Treating second degree burns is as same as for first degree burns. Additionally do not ever try to pop the blisters. If necessary, go to a medical centre for a dressing. If blisters are spread to a wide area, the outer layer of the skin should not be peeled off. If the blisters popped, germicide should be applied; sterile gauze strip should be put and covered with elastic bandage after all the liquid is gone. The patient should definitely be taken to a burn centre or a hospital in third degree burns. Since the open wound in contact with air would cause pain, the injury should immediately be covered with a sterile gauze strip.”
‘Burns Caused by Boiling Water’
Kızıl remarked that children in majority got affected from burns at homes, especially children under the age of 5 learned by touching everything, therefore, baths, plugs, hot ovens, stoves, etc. caused danger for them. In Turkey, burns caused by boiling water were number one reason for burns, she said. Kızıl stated the following:
“Make sure to check the hot water before bath. Use child proof plugs. Hide away electrical cables. Do not leave hot meals on the counter. Make sure not to leave children unattended in the kitchen while cooking. Do not use table cloths. Prevent access to stoves, ovens, fireplaces. Do not leave irons on. Do not microwave baby bottles. And avoid using inflammable clothing and house textile.”
