BURNSجلنا, Typesاقسام, Symptomsعلامات, Homeopathic Treatmentہومیوپیتھک علاج, Preventionاحتیاط, Managementکنٹرول

BURNSجلنا, Typesاقسام, Symptomsعلامات, Homeopathic Treatmentہومیوپیتھک علاج, Preventionاحتیاط, Managementکنٹرول

By: Dr. Muhammad.Arshad

Burns are one of the most common household injuries especially among children. A burn is a tissue injury that results from exposure to fire, hot metals, chemicals, electricity, and radiation. Most people can recover from burns without serious health consequences depending on the cause and degree of injury. More serious burns require immediate emergency medical care to prevent complications and death.

TYPES OF BURNS BURNS ARE CLASSIFIED AS:

1.          First Degree Burns
They involves only the surface of the skin with no blistered redness.

2.          Second Degree Burns
They involves redness of the burnt skin with blisters.

3.          Third Degree Burns
The injury has a white or charred appearance.

RULE OF NINES

The danger from burns depends more on the extent of the burns than on the degree. Superficial burns over a large area are more dangerous than complete charring of a part of a limb. To calculate the extent of burns also for the emergent treatment, the "Rule of Nines" is used. According to rule of nines, the body is calculated as 9% for each of its part. For example:

1.             Head and Neck: 9% (4.5% anterior and 4.5% posterior)

2.             Right Arm: 9% (4.5% anterior and 4.5% posterior)

3.             Left Arm: 9% (4.5% anterior and 4.5% posterior)

4.             Trunk: 36% (18% anterior and 18% posterior)

5.             Perineum: 1%

6.             Right Leg: 18% (9% anterior and 9% posterior)

7.             Left Leg: 18% (9% anterior and 9% posterior)

SYMPTOMS OF BURN:

1.       First Degree Burns

First-degree burns cause minimal skin damage. They are also called “superficial burns” because they affect the outermost layer of skin. Signs and symptoms of a first-degree burn include:

·         redness of the affected skin

·         minor inflammation or swelling

·         pain in the affected area

·         dry peeling skin occurs as the burn heals

First-degree burns usually heal within 7 to 10 days without scarring. The first degree burn can affect a large area of the skin more than three inches.

2.       Second Degree Burns

Second-degree burns are more serious because the damage extends beyond the top layer of skin. This type burn causes the skin to blister and become extremely red and sore. Some blisters pop open giving the burn a wet or weeping appearance. Over time, thick, soft, scab-like tissue called fibrinous exudate may develop over the wound. Some second-degree burns take longer than three weeks to heal, but most heal within two to three weeks without scarring but often with pigment changes to the skin.

3.       Third Degree Burns

Signs and symptoms of third-degree burns are:

·         painless wound

·         waxy and white color of the wound

·         charring of the affected area

·         dark brown color of the affected area

·         raised and leathery texture of the affected area

·         blisters do not develop

Without surgery, these wounds heal with severe scarring and contracture of the skin. There is no set time for the spontaneous healing of the third-degree burns.

COMPLICATIONS
Third-degree burns carry the most risk for complications, such as infections, blood loss, and shock which is often lead to death. Tetanus is another possible complication with burns of all levels. It affects the nervous system, eventually leading to problems with muscle contractions. It also causes scarring of the skin. The scarring of the skin is of three types as follows:

·         Hypertrophic scars are red or purple, and raised. They may feel warm to the touch and itchy.

·         Contracture scars tighten the skin, muscles, and tendons, and make it harder for you to move.

·         Keloid scars form shiny, hairless bumps.

·         Severe burns also carry the risk of hypothermia and hypovolemia which need an emergent care in the hospital.

WHAT ARE PREVENTIONS FOR BURN

The obvious best way to fight burns is to prevent them from happening. Certain jobs put you at a greater risk for burns, but the fact is that most burns happen at home. Infants and young children are the most vulnerable to burns. Preventive measures that you can take at home include:

1.          Keep children out of the kitchen while cooking.

2.          Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove.

3.          Place a fire extinguisher in or near the kitchen.

4.          Test smoke detectors once a month.

5.          Replace smoke detectors every 10 years.

6.          Keep water heater temperature under 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

7.          Measure bath water temperature before use.

8.          Lock up matches and lighters.

9.          Install electrical outlet covers.

10.      Check and discard electrical cords with exposed wires.

11.      Keep chemicals out of reach, and wear gloves during chemical use.

12.      Wear sunscreen every day and avoid peak sunlight.

13.      Ensure all smoking products are stubbed out completely.

14.      Clean out dryer lint traps regularly.

MANAGEMENT OF EXTENSIVE BURNS

1.       Keep the patient quiet and reassure him.

2.       Wrap him up in a clean cloth.

3.       Do not remove adhering particles of charred clothing.

4.       Cover the burnt area with a sterile or clean dressing and bandage. In the case of burns that cover a large part of the body it is sufficient to cover the area with a clean sheet or towel.

5.       Keep the patient warm but do not over heat.

6.       If the hands are involved, keep them above the level of the victim's heart.

7.       Keep burnt feet or legs elevated.

8.       If the victim's face is burnt, sit or prop him up and keep him under continuous observation for breathing difficulty. If respiratory problems develop, an open airway should be maintained.

9.       Do not immerse the extensively burnt area or apply ice water over it because cold may intensify the shock reaction. However a cold pack may be applied to the face or hands or feet.

10.   Do not open the blisters on the victim's skin.

11.   Treat for Shock.

MANAGEMENT OF MINOR BURNS AND SCALDS

1.          Clean the area gently with clean water.

2.          Submerge the burnt area in cold water.

3.          Do not apply cotton wool directly over the burnt area.

4.          Do not apply any greasy substance.

5.          Give the patient warm drinks.

HOMEOPTHIIC TREATMENT

Remedies for burn include:

Acet-ac., Acon., Agar., Alumn., Ant-c., ARS., Calc., Calen.,CANTH., Carb-v., CAUST., Cic., Cycl., Euphor., Ham., Hep., Hyper., Kali-m., Kreos., Lach., Merc., Plan., Plb., Puls., Ruta, Sec., Sil., Stram., Sulph., ¤ Ter., Urt-u.

Cantharis

Cantharis is used in scald, burns and sun burns. The person needing Cantharis has an acute burning and smarting pain in the burnt area with red, inflamed and blistered skin. So, first and second degree burns can be very effectively handled by it. Use internally and externally in lotion.

Urtica Urens

Urtica Urens is mostly used in first degree burns confined to superficial skin. Symptoms are burning and stinging pains in burnt skin with intensely red, swollen. Use internally and externally.

Causticum

Causticum is used for burns that are very slow to heal. Causticum is of great help in hastening the healing process in burns cases. Persons who can greatly benefit from natural Homeopathic medicine Causticum have a major complaint of rawness, excessive soreness and pain in the burnt area. Causticum is also useful for the contracture and scars of the skin after the wound has healed up.

Calandula

This remedy is useful for minor superficial burns caused by fire or the sun. Calendula also prevents gangrene and promotes granulation as well as prevents disfiguring scars. Prevents loss of blood and excessive pain. It is a good remedy to use to promote healing after specific acute remedies have removed the shock, pain and immediate symptoms. Use this remedy internally in potency and externally as a lotion.