First Aid - Burns and Scalds

The 1-2-3 treatment for burns and scalds

1.       Cool the burn

Do this immediately using water (ideally running) for a minimum of 10 minutes.  If water is not available for minor burns use any cold harmless liquid (e.g. milk) then move to a tap.

Take care not to introduce hypothermia if the burn is large, in children or the elderly.

2.       Remove jewellery and loose clothing

Do this gently and carefully, before the area starts to swell. Do not remove anything that is stuck to the burn.

For burns involving chemicals, be careful not to contaminate yourself or other areas of the body.

3.       Dress the burn

Dress the burn with a sterile dressing that won’t stick.  Cling film is ideal – discard the first two turns of the film and don’t wrap it tight as the area may well continue to swell. Secure gently with a bandage. Cold wet towels can be placed on top of the cling film to keep the burn cool if necessary.

Alternative dressings include: a new (unused) plastic bag, low adherent dressings or specialised burn dressings.

If the burn appears severe, or the casualty had breathed in smoke of fumes, call 999/112 for emergency help.

NEVER:

• Cool the burn using ice
• Rely on burns dressings to cool a burn – use cold water
• Burst blisters
• Touch the burn
• Apply creams, ointments or fats
• Apply adhesive dressings
• Remove clothing that has stuck to the burn