Burn Awareness Week South Africa

Burn awareness week is observed -in May to educate individuals on the risks and prevention of burns and fires.

A burn is defined as: an injury caused by exposure to heat or fire. Burns are classified by depth of the burn, extent of the burn and cause of the burn.

Depth of a burn

• Superficial (First degree) – Superficial burns are characterized by warm, painful, red, soft and blanch when touched. Usually, there is no blistering, usually in the absence of blistering. Example of a superficial burn is a sunburn.
• Partial thickness burns (Second degree) – Partial thickness burns are characterized by very painful, red, blistered, moist, soft and blanch when touched. Example of a partial thickness burn is a burn from hot candle wax or hot liquid.
• Full thickness burns (Third degree) – Full thickness burns are characterized by little or no pain, can be white, brown, or charred and feel firm and leathery to the touch with no blanching.

Extent of a burn

Determining what percentage of the body surface is affected by the burn. There are several methods by which this may be done however in South African first aid courses the Rule of Nine is recommended. The Rule of Nine states that each body part accounts for 9%.

• Head is 9%
• The chest and abdomen (stomach region) 18%
• Each arm 9%
• Each leg 18% (Front surface of the leg 9%, back surface of the leg 9%)
• Back 18% (Back off the chest 9%, Lower back 9%)

Burn injury prevention.

In order to prevent burn injuries we need to explore the possible cases.

Most common causes of Burn injuries

• Direct contact with fire or steam
• Sunlight or ultraviolet light
• Hot surfaces such as metal, glass or other objects
• Electric current
• Chemicals such as acids, gasoline, paint thinners
• Abuse
• Radiation from x-rays

Approximately 3% of burn injuries are caused by chemicals, 4% are caused by electric currents and approximately 86% of burn injuries are caused by thermal injuries (Fire, steam, sunlight, and hot surfaces)

 Management of burn injuries

Management for superficial or superficial partial thickness burn injuries it is recommended to make use of the “C’s” of burn care

• Cooling– Small areas of burn can be cooled with tap water or saline solution to prevent progression of burning and to reduce pain.
• Cleaning– Mild soap and water or mild antibacterial wash. Debate continues over the best treatment for blisters. However, large blisters are debrided while small blisters and blisters involving the palms or soles are left intact.
• Covering– Topical antibiotic ointments or cream with absorbent dressing or specialized burn dressing materials are commonly used.
• Comfort– Over-the-counter pain medications or prescription pain medications when needed. Splints can also provide support and comfort for certain burned areas.

Burn injury management for deep partial thickness or full thickness injuries it is recommended to seek emergency medical care.

Homeopathic treatment for burn injuries, specifically superficial and superficial partial thickness burn injuries may include:

Cantharis vesicatoria

Cantharis is the best indicated homeopathic remedy when treating superficial (first degree) burns as well as superficial partial thickness (second degree) burns, due to its tendency to provide relief from burning-smarting pain and prevent blistering. The individual needing Cantharis presents with burning-smarting, red inflamed skin, sensitive to the touch and tends to feel better with cool application. Even though Cantharis tends to prevent blistering of the affected area, it may also be useful in the individuals with partial thickness burns when blistering is present, in pain management and recovery of the affected area.

Urtica urens

Urtica Urens is another instrumental homeopathic remedy for the treatment of superficial (first degree) burns. The individual needing Urtica urens presents with intensely red, swollen, burning-stinging pain of the skin in the affected area.

Causticum

Causticum is useful in the treatment of old wounds that is slow to heal. The affected area has rawness, excessive soreness, and pain. Causticum is effective in the treatment of reopening burn wounds. Causticum is therefor used in older burn wounds that do not seem to heal or old burn wounds freshen up, becoming sore and painful.