The Initial Management of Acute Burns

Abstract

The initial management of burns, in common with all trauma, follows the ABCDE approach. The outline management plan detailed above assumes the availability of certain medical supplies but even simple measures are invaluable in burn care if they are all that are available. The most basic supplies required to resuscitate a casualty are oral salt and water in appropriate volumes. Similarly it should be possible in field conditions to monitor vital signs and urine output, dress the burns with clingfilm or plastic bags and wrap the casualty in absorbent materials.

Knowledge levels of pre-school teachers related with basic first-aid practices, Isparta sample*

“…This question was answered by more than half of the teachers as "burn cream should be applied on the injured area" or "ice should be applied on the injured area". However, burning and tissue damage continue to advance to deeper layers, hyperemia increases and bullae form, when burn cream is applied on the burned area without cooling (21). Again, direct application of ice on the burned area leads to vasoconstriction and increases the damage due to the burn because of decreased blood flow (22).…”

The trend of acute burns pre-hospital management

“…It should also be noted that cling film should not be used as it may worsen the burn but rather wet dressings. Information on chemicals in powder form if available should be sent to the hospital where the patient has been transferred to so as to determine the kind of management for the patient [9][10][11] . As much as possible, after first aid is given to the patient, transporting the victim to a health facility in order to access appropriate treatment is very critical.…”

Consensus On The Pre-hospital Approach To Burns Patient Management

“…There may be a specific antidote for the chemical being used and data regarding the likely chemical should be taken with the patient to hospital (2,(32)(33)(34)(35)(36)(37)(38).…”