What is a second degree durn and how can you cure or treat it if it is really ba!
Question: Blistering, Heat, Bubbles, and mecail help.
Answers:
What are second-degree burns?
Second-degree burns are more serious than first-degree burns because a deeper layer of skin is burned. They can more easily become infected. Also, if the burn affects more than 10% of your skin, you may go into shock because large quantities of fluid are lost from the burned area.
All second-degree burns greater than 2 to 3 inches in diameter should be treated by a medical professional. Smaller burns can usually be treated at home.
What causes second-degree burns?
Second-degree burns are usually caused by:
deep sunburn
exposure to flames
contact with hot liquids
burning gasoline or kerosene
contact with chemicals.
What are the symptoms of second-degree burns?
The skin is bright red and blotchy and has blisters. It usually looks wet because of the loss of fluid through the damaged skin.
Second-degree burns are often very painful.
What is the treatment?
The goals of treatment for second-degree burns are easing the pain and preventing infection.
For second-degree heat burns without open blisters, follow these steps:
Remove jewelry or tight clothing from the burned area before it begins to swell.
Flush the burn with cool running water or apply cold- water compresses (a wet towel or handkerchief) until the pain lessens. Do not use ice or ice water, which can cause more damage to the burned area.
Try not to break the blisters. If the blisters break, the exposed skin can become infected.
Cover the burn with a clean (sterile, if possible), dry, nonfluffy bandage such as a gauze pad. Do not put tape on the burn.
Do not put ointments, grease, petroleum jelly, butter, or home remedies on the burn. These substances can hold the heat in, making the burn worse.
Keep burned arms or legs raised to reduce swelling.
Get medical help for second-degree burns greater than 2 to 3 inches in diameter or for burns on the hands, face, penis, buttocks, or vaginal area.
For second-degree heat burns with open blisters, follow these steps:
Do not remove clothing if it is stuck to the burn.
Do not run water over the burn or use water on the bandage because it increases the risk of shock.
Cover the burn with a clean (sterile, if possible), dry, nonfluffy bandage, such as a gauze pad. Do not put tape on the burn.
For extensive second-degree burns that are more than 2 to 3 inches in diameter, see your doctor.
You will need extra fluids to replace the large quantities of fluids your body loses through the burned area. Your doctor may give you fluids intravenously (through a tube into your vein).
Your doctor will prescribe antibiotics because the burned skin can no longer protect your body from infection by airborne bacteria.
Your doctor will either lightly bandage the burned area with an antibacterial dressing or leave it unbandaged.
Your doctor will prescribe medicine to kill the pain.
Your doctor may recommend a skin graft to lessen scarring.
Your doctor may give you a tetanus booster.
For chemical burns, follow these steps:
Flush liquid chemicals from your skin thoroughly with running water for 15 to 30 minutes.
Remove any clothing and jewelry on which the chemical has spilled.
Brush dry chemicals off the skin if large amounts of water are not available. Small amounts of water will activate some chemicals. Be sure to keep the chemicals away from your eyes.
Cover the burn with a dry, loose bandage.
How do I take care of a burn?
After you have cleaned and bandaged the burn, leave it alone for at least 24 hours to allow the healing process to begin.
Preventing infection in the exposed skin is an important part of the treatment for second-degree burns. If you have been told to change your bandages, follow these procedures to help prevent infection:
Wash your hands carefully with soap and water.
Place the fresh bandage on a clean towel.
Take off the old bandage gently. Soak it off if it sticks to the burn.
Wash the burned area gently.
Check for any changes or worsening of the burned area, such as pus, swelling, or increased redness.
Apply a thin layer of antibiotic cream to the burn.
Cover with the clean bandage.
How long will it take a second-degree burn to heal?
Usually, second-degree burns heal in 10 days to 2 weeks. There may be few or no scars if the burn was not too extensive and if infection is prevented.
When should I call a doctor?
See your doctor immediately if you have any of the following:
fever
puslike drainage from the burned area
excessive swelling of the burned area
increased redness of the skin
numbness or coolness of the skin beyond the burned area on arms and legs
a blister filled with greenish or brownish fluid or one that becomes hot again or turns red
a burn that doesn't heal in 10 days to 2 weeks.
Other Answers:
Use antibiotic ointment to ensure it doesn't become infected and give it time. I would say seek help if you begin to loose feeling in the area where the burn occured or if you become faint, have trouble breathing, or if the burns are around the upper chest/neck/face.
a first degree burn is the most superficial, usually caused by a quick brush with something hot. it stings, may blister, but generally a very hours of resting an ice cube on it will stop the pain.
a second degree burn is the most painful, it goes deeper into the tissue, but not far enough as does a third degree burn which, of course is the worst, but a 3rd degree burn will usually burn off the nerves and can actually be less painful than a 2nd degree. NEVER put butter on a burn.
A second degree burn affects not only the outer layer of skin (the epidermis), but also the dermis (the layer below the surface). It can cause swelling, blisters, peeling, and pain to some degree. Small second degree burns may heal without scarring, but larger second degree burns can lead to shock. To answer the question about when to seek medical attention, see a doctor immediately if a second-degree burn is on the face, hands, feet, or genitals; is caused by an electrical source; or covers an area larger than two to three inches.
Source(s):
http://www.hmc.psu.edu/healthinfo/b/burns2.htm
http://www.burnsurvivor.com/burn_types_second.html
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000030.htm
Second Degree Burns covering 15% to 20% of the body on an adult or covering 10% to 20% of the body on a child.
There are two types of second-degree burns, defined by their depth:
Superficial partial-thickness burns injure the first and second layers of skin and are often caused by hot water or hot objects. The skin around the burn turns white (blanches) when pressed, then turns back to red. The burn is moist and painful with blistering and swelling that usually lasts for at least 48 hours.
Deep partial-thickness burns injure deeper skin layers and are white with red areas. They are often caused by contact with hot oil, grease, soup, or microwaved liquids. This kind of burn is not painful, but it can cause a sensation of pressure. The skin looks spotted, remains white when pressed, may appear waxy in some areas, and is dry or slightly moist. Possible infection is an important concern with these burns.
I would recommend seeing a doctor anyway. Depending on how it was caused, they may be better equipped to help you.
First link: About 2nd Degree Burns
Second link: First Aid Info
Third Link: Emergencies - and what you should do
Source(s):
http://www.webmd.com/hw/health_guide_atoz/sts14394.asp?navbar=hw109096
http://www.webmd.com/hw/skin_wounds/hw109123.asp
http://www.webmd.com/hw/skin_wounds/hw256688.asp?navbar=hw109096
Second Degree Burns
Second-degree burns affect both the outer-layer (epidermis) and the under lying layer of skin (dermis) causing redness, pain, swelling and blisters. These burns often affect sweat glands, and hair follicles.
If a deep second-degree burn is not properly treated, swelling and decreased blood flow in the tissue can result in the burn becoming a third-degree burn.
Symptoms
Redness
Swelling
Pain
Peeling skin
Shock (pale, clammy skin, weakness, bluish lips and finger nails)
White or charred skin
First Aid for Severe Burns: (Second & Third-Degree)
DO NOT remove burnt clothing (unless it comes off easily), but do ensure that the victim is not in contact with burning or smoldering materials.
Make sure the victim is breathing. If breathing has stopped or the victim's airway is blocked then open the airway and if necessary begin CPR.
If the victim is breathing, cover the burn with a cool moist sterile bandage or clean cloth. DO NOT use a blanket or towel; a sheet is best for large burns. DO NOT apply any ointments and avoid breaking blisters.
If fingers or toes have been burned, separate them with dry sterile, non-adhesive dressings.
Elevate the burned area and protect it from pressure or friction.
Take steps to prevent shock. Lay the victim flat elevate the feet about 12 inches, and cover the victim with a coat or blanket. DO NOT place the victim in the shock position if a head, neck, back, or leg injury is suspected or if it makes the victim uncomfortable.
Continue to monitor the victim's vital signs (breathing, pulse, blood pressure).
DO NOT
DO NOT apply ointment, butter, ice, medications, fluffy cotton dressing, adhesive bandages, cream, oil spray, or any household remedy to a burn. This can interfere with proper healing.
DO NOT allow the burn to become contaminated. Avoid breathing or coughing on the burned area.
DO NOT disturb blisters or dead skin.
DO NOT apply cold compresses and DO NOT immerse a severe burn in cold water. This can cause shock.
DO NOT place a pillow under the victim's head if there is an airway burn and they are lying down. This can close the airway.
Source(s):
internet
Answers: