How Do I Treat a Steam Burn?

Scald is tissue damage caused by flame-free high-temperature liquids (boiling water, hot oil, molten steel), high-temperature solids (hot metals, etc.) or high-temperature steam. Common low-temperature burns are also known as low-temperature burns. It is caused by long-term skin contact with low-temperature objects above body temperature. The skin may be burned if it is exposed to a temperature of 70 ° C for 1 minute. When the skin is exposed to a temperature of nearly 60 ° C for more than 5 minutes, it may cause burns. This kind of burn is called low-temperature burns.

Basic Information

English name

scald

Visiting department

Burns

Common locations

skin

Common causes

Mostly caused by high temperature liquids, solids, and steam

Common symptoms

Redness, swelling, blistering, peeling or whitening, pain, etc.

Causes of burns

People who are scalded by low temperature are generally those who are not easy to wake up at night and those who feel dull, so that the scald is still unconscious, and many scalds are found only to a very serious degree.

Clinical manifestations of burns

Because of low temperature burns often occur in the lower limbs of the human body. Under normal circumstances, the skin and low-temperature heat source contact for a short time, only cause blisters-type burns in the superficial layer of the dermis, but if the low-temperature heat source continues to work, it will gradually develop into deep layer of dermis and subcutaneous tissue burns. Low temperature burns are different from high temperature burns. The pain on the wound is not very obvious. Only redness, swelling, blistering, peeling or whitening appear on the skin. The area is not large. The surface of the burned skin does not look serious, but the wound is deep. In severe cases, it can even cause deep tissue necrosis. If it is not handled properly, severe ulceration will occur and it will not heal for a long time. The severity of a scald is judged mainly by the location, area, and depth of the scald. Scalds are on the head and face, or are not on the head and face, but the burns are large and deep, which are all severe cases.

Scald diagnosis

The degree of scald is generally divided into three degrees.

1 time injury

Scalding only damages the surface layer of the skin, with local redness and swelling, no blisters, and obvious pain.

2. Second Degree Injury

Scalds are dermal injuries, localized swelling and pain, and blisters of various sizes.

3. Third Degree Injury

A scald is subcutaneous, with damage to fat, muscles, and bones, and is gray or red-brown.

Differential diagnosis of burns

Mainly identify the heat source temperature that causes burns.

Scald treatment

(I) Burn Depth

1. A scald

Immediately after taking off the socks, immerse the non-damaged wound in cold water for half an hour.

2. Second-degree burns

Large blisters can be punctured by sterilizing needles to release water, bandaged after applying scalding cream, and tightness should be moderate.

3. Third degree burns

Cover the wound with a clean cloth and take it to the hospital in time. Do not apply purple potion or ointment on the wound, which will affect the observation and treatment of the disease.

Remember: If the burns are severe, do not use cold water to rinse or soak the wound, otherwise it will cause skin ulcers, aggravate the injury, and greatly increase the chance of scarring. Severe burns may cause shock or breathing or cardiac arrest during transfer. Immediate artificial respiration or chest heart massage should be performed. When the wounded is thirsty, a small amount of hot tea or fresh saline can be given. Never drink a large amount of boiling water in a short period of time, which will cause brain edema in the wounded.

In the event of a low-temperature scald, first use a cold towel or cold water to flush the scald to achieve the purpose of cooling down, and then seek medical treatment in a timely manner. Do not apply soy sauce or toothpaste to the scald. Because low-temperature burns can hurt the deep part of the skin, the treatment time will be longer, and the treatment is more troublesome.

(B) surgical treatment

Deep and severe low-temperature burns are difficult to cure by local dressing changes. Surgical methods must be used to remove necrotic tissue, which varies according to the degree of burns. Surgical treatment is necessary when necessary.

Burn prevention

1. When using a hot water bottle to keep warm in winter, wrap the hot water bottle with a towel and it is better not to touch it with your hands. Note that the lid of the hot water bottle must be tightened, and it can be placed in the coating after inspection, and the warm water is replaced regularly, which will keep warm without causing burns.

2. When taking a bath, you should put cold water before mixing with hot water, and the water temperature should not be higher than 40 . The temperature of the water heater should be adjusted below 50 ° C, because when the water temperature is between 65 ° C and 70 ° C, the child may be seriously burned within two seconds.

3. Be sure to set up a fence around the heating and stove to prevent children from being burned.

4. Do not allow children to enter the kitchen easily.

5. Remove or add protective measures to dangerous goods that may cause burns. Keep electrical appliances such as thermos bottles and irons out of the reach of children. Do not place tablecloths on the table to prevent burns caused by overturning rice bowls and thermos bottles on the table.

6. Family members should regularly carry out first aid knowledge training and check the implementation. Always remind your child to protect herself from scalds.