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       # Burns
       
       ## Minor burns
       
       For a minor burn, immediately pour cool water over the burned skin
       for 15 to 30 minutes.  This will cool and clean the skin and help
       reduce the pain.
       
       Keep the area clean with mild soap and water as it heals.  Honey or
       aloe vera juice speed healing of smaller burns, but should be put on
       only after the burn has cooled.
       
 (IMG) Honey
       
       Minor burns should heal in about 1 to 3 weeks.
       
       ## Dangerous burns
       
       Dangerous burns include:
       
       
       * Deep burns (called deep partial thickness, or full thickness
         burns).  They do not hurt unless pressed on because the nerves have
         been destroyed.  They do not change color if pressed on.  They may
         look mottled in color, or if deeper, they may be waxy white,
         leathery gray, or charred black.
       * Large burns.  A large burn is one that covers 10% or more of the
         body.  Even if not deep, a burn this large is dangerous.  You can
         estimate how much of the body is burned based on the size of the
         palm of the hand of the burned person.  Does the burn cover about
         the size of one palm?  That is about 1% of their body surface.  10
         palms is about 10%.
       * A burn that affects a joint, the face, or the genitals.  These
         can scar badly and disable the person, especially a child.
       * Burns combined with other injuries.
       * Burns in children.  Children have much more difficulty recovering
         from burns and whenever possible should be cared for in hospitals
         equipped to treat burns.
       
       Get help for dangerous burns.  On the way to the medical center, give
       small sips of water frequently if the person is alert.  Cover the
       area of the burn with a very clean cloth.  For dangerous burns, avoid
       immersing the burn in cold water--it can make the body temperature
       drop too low and the person can become dangerously cold. Try to calm
       the person.
       
       ## Treatment
       
       * Salbutamol can help a person breathe more easily if they inhaled
         a lot of smoke.
       * A person with a large or deep burn can easily become dehydrated
         because body fluids are lost as they ooze from the burn.  Give
         extra fluids.  It is usually best to give intravenous (IV) fluids,
         but large quantities of rehydration drink will work for someone who
         is alert and able to drink.  Watch for danger signs of shock, that
         can come from dehydration.
       * Burns and the area around them are very prone to infection.  Keep
         the burn clean and wash it each day with running water or by
         briefly soaking it in clean water.  A little mild soap is helpful
         but do not use disinfectants or iodine--they will delay healing.
         Gently wipe or scrape away small amounts of dead tissue.
       * Cover the burn with antibiotic ointment and then with very clean
         fine mesh gauze or another very clean dressing.  Wrap firmly to
         create pressure without cutting off circulation.  Change the
         bandage each day and every time it gets dirty.  A dirty bandage can
         cause infection.  You may need to soak off a bandage that has stuck
         in place.  Be sure to individually wrap and separate burned fingers
         and toes.
       * Give antibiotics if any of these signs of infection appear:
         increasing redness, heat, pain, swelling, bad smell or pus, or the
         person gets a fever.  Make sure tetanus vaccinations are up-to-date.
       * If a blister has opened, keep the area clean.  If the blister has
         not opened, do not try to pop it.  Opened blisters are more likely
         to get infected.
       * Burns are extremely painful.  Do not hesitate to give strong pain
         medicine including morphine or other opiates.  Always give pain
         medicine before cleaning or changing a dressing on a serious burn.
         As burns heal they can start to itch.  An antihistamine provides
         some relief.
       * Plenty of nutritious food, including extra protein, is needed to
         help a burn heal. While healing, try to eat at least 4 meals each
         day that have protein (such as chicken, other meats, eggs, milk,
         fish, beans, and nuts), as well as snacks.
       * Burned parts may become stiff and immobile as they heal,
         especially if the burn is on a joint.  These parts must be moved
         every few hours.  If the person cannot move a joint herself, gently
         help her.
       
       As with any serious injury, get help if the person gets worse or you
       cannot provide needed care.
       
 (DIR) allergy meds
 (HTM) rehydration
 (DIR) shock
 (DIR) medicine for burns
 (DIR) tetanus
 (DIR) medicine for pain
 (HTM) malnutrition
       
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