Burn Treatment: When to Visit Emergency Care

burn treatment

 

Did you know that over one million burns are treated or need medical attention every year?

Have you recently suffered from a burn? Not sure what kind of burn treatment you might need?

Don’t worry, keep reading to learn about the different types of burns, how to treat them at home, and when you need to get further professional help.

How Bad Is Your Burn?

Most burns can be treated at home. However, sometimes you get burned so bad you need to go get it checked out. So, how can you tell how bad your burn is?

Your skin has three layers, the epidermis, the dermis, and the subcutis layer. These indicate the level or degree burn you have, first, second, or third. With a third-degree burn, you may not feel any pain as the nerve endings have also been burnt. If this is the case, seek treatment immediately.

What Is the Best Treatment for Burns?

Usually, you can treat a burn with a simple first aid kit. For a simple first degree burn, such as sunburn, you can care for this at home. Never put ice or a cold pack on a burn, also, the old wives’ tale of using butter is not recommended.

There are three factors to consider are your core temperature, your fluids, and compression.

1. Core Temperature

You might suffer from chills, but keep the body warm. If your core temperature drops below 95 degrees Farenheight you could suffer from hypothermia. For a bad sunburn, consider taking a lukewarm bath to submerge the burn and stop it from getting worse.

2. Fluids and Pain Relief

You will also want to drink plenty of water to replenish the fluids lost from the burn. Ibuprofen is recommended to treat any pain and inflammation from the burn.

3. Compression

You will want to cover the burn with a dressing. If you go to a doctor or urgent care center they will likely give you Silvadene or Bacitracin and have you wrap it with an ace bandage. You can also cling wrap which will protect the area from infection while also allowing you to visually monitor the burn if it gets worse.

What to Do Next for Your Burn Treatment

If the above home therapies don’t seem to be working, or you are in intense pain that can’t be taken care of with over-the-counter medications, you will want to seek professional help from a hospital or urgent care center.

And if the burn is bad enough, they will send you to a specialized burn treatment center. When that happens, be sure to go to all your appointments and follow their instructions carefully so you don’t get an infection.

Don’t Get Burned, Get Help

Burns can be scary when they happen. If the home treatments are working, consider consulting a professional. Their help when it comes to a burn treatment can be invaluable.

Don’t sit at home in pain any longer than you have to.

Contact an urgent care center and find out if you need further care today.