Emergencies always strike suddenly, without warning. One moment everything is fine; the next, someone Burns are serious, not only because of pain in the area of the burn itself, but also because of possible chemical changes in other parts of the body. Burns are among the most common household emergencies. Young children are often burned by hot liquids, stoves, radiators, unguarded electric outlets, firecrackers, chemicals, irons, gas fires, and sunburn. The greatest danger arises from shock, which so often follows a deep burn involving a large area of the body.

See also:

• Your Guide to Health – Chapter 5: Foods that Build the Body
• Your Guide to Health – Chapter 6: Protein Foods for Health
• Your Guide to Health – Chapter 7: Minerals your Body Needs
• Your Guide to Health – Chapter 8: Vitamins to Keep you Healthy
• Your Guide to Health – Chapter 9: Controlling Your Weight
• Your Guide to Health – Chapter 10: Nursing a Patient at Home
• Your Guide to Health – Chapter 11: Treatment You can Give
• Your Guide to Health – Chapter 12: Emergency Care

The information provided in this series ‘Your Guide to Health’ are based, in part, on the book “Your Guide to Health” written by Dr. Clifford Russell Anderson. The following is meant as public enlightenment rather than as an alternative to engaging the services of a qualified medical professional. Is available on Amazon: YOUR GUIDE TO HEALTH: Anderson, Dr Clifford Russell: 9798696204987: Amazon.com: Books

In severe burns the loss of body fluids can be very serious, par-ticularly in a young child. The kidneys and adrenal glands may not function well, and other internal organs may be vitally affected. Even a relatively small burn may produce a serious deformity if it oc-curs over a large joint, such as the knee. Deep burns often result in the formation of considerable scar tissue. If this scar tissue interferes with the function of the joint, it should be removed by plastic surgery.

Treatment: Minor burns can usually be treated at home. Immediate application of ice or the coldest water you can get will often limit the extent of damage. Apparently it takes a few seconds at least for the heat to “soak in” so that immediate application of cold has some neutralizing value. It also limits the amount of pain. Ice is useful from the standpoint of pain even some hours after the burn has occurred. After the cold treatment, you may gently sponge the area with soap and warm water, then apply a vaseline dressing. Bandage this firmly in place. The pressure helps to control the pain and minimize the loss of body fluids. If the pain is severe, give the patient one or two tablets of aspirin and repeat this every two hours as needed.

Other topics focused on in the chapter:

• Burns
• Choking and Strangling
• Gunshot and Stab Wounds
• Electric Shock
• Sunstroke
• Unconsciousness
• Faintness and Dizziness
• Fits and Seizures
• Stroke or Apoplexy
• Alcoholic Intoxication
• Sudden Heart Failure