4th of July is coming up and that means fireworks! While fireworks are a lot of fun to watch, they can be very dangerous. Every year, thousands of people are injured by fireworks.
The most common type of injury is a burn. Burns can be very serious, and even life-threatening. It is important to know how to treat a burn injury properly in order to minimize the damage. In this article, we discuss how to treat different kinds of burn injuries.
What’s the first thing I should do if I get a burn?
When you get burned, it is important to act quickly. The very first thing you should do is make sure the fire is out, and then cool the burn with running water for at least 20 minutes.
Do not touch the area immediately. Note that cooling the injury with ice or applying greasy substances will increase damage to your skin. Be careful about what clothes and bandages come in contact with the burn. Dirty clothes or dirty bandages may spread bacteria around the wound.
Lastly, make sure there isn’t anything on these wounds like jewelry then cover them using clean supplies until they heal naturally. Below are other things you can do when you get a burn:
Remove the source of burn.
The first thing you should do is remove the source of the burn. If you are on fire, stop, drop, and roll until the flames are out.
Remove any cloth on fire.
If your clothing is on fire, quickly remove it. Do not try to pat the fire out with your hands – this will only make the burns worse.
Do not put anything on the burn.
Do not use ice, lotions, or ointments on the burn. These can actually make the damage worse. After you have cooled the burn, cover it with a sterile bandage or clean cloth.
If the burn is more than three inches in diameter or if it is on the face, hands, feet, groin, or buttocks, you should seek medical attention immediately.
How do I manage pain if I’ve been burned?
Ibuprofen or Tylenol can be taken by most people to manage pain. There are also some topical medications available, such as burn-free wipes. These have a light dose of numbing medicine in them so they’re safe for use on burns too.
Always follow the guidelines provided with any medication you plan on taking while caring for your injuries. Different burns may require different treatments so never assume that you can treat all of them the same way. Always seek professional advice if you are unsure about certain medications or treatments.
Follow these 5 tips to protect yourself and your family this summer:
- Don’t allow young children to play with fireworks under any circumstances and always have an adult around when handling and lighting fireworks.
- Use fireworks in an area clear of other fireworks, combustible materials like wood and grass, buildings, and other people.
- Wear tight clothing to avoid accidental contact with sparks or lighting equipment.
- Store fireworks in a dry, cool place. Check instructions for special storage directions.
- Always keep a bucket of water nearby for emergencies and for pouring on fireworks that don’t go off.
When should I seek the help of a doctor or healthcare provider for a burn?
The size of your wound will determine how much care you need. A small burn may be treated by a doctor at home. Larger wounds should always receive professional assistance from an expert in the field. Severe burns can become infected easily and cause additional complications if left untreated.
If you happen to experience a burn injury on the 4th of July, our experts at Aether Health – Kingwood ER are here to help you. With our years of experience in handling burn cases, we can get you the care that you need and have you on your way to recovery in no time.
We are open 24/7 to serve the community in any way possible!
