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Female Focus


Page 31


FF - Your Magazine


Burns and Scalds and what to do


Burns and scalds are damage to the skin caused by heat. Both are treated in the same way.


A burn is caused by dry heat - by an iron or fire, for example.


A scald is caused by something wet, such as hot water or steam. Burns can be very painful and may cause red or peeling skin, blisters, swelling, and white or charred skin.


The amount of pain you feel is not always related to how serious the burn is. Even a very serious burn may be relatively painless.


To treat a burn, follow the first aid advice below:


1. Immediately get the person away from the heat source to stop the burning. 2. Cool the burn with cool or lukewarm running water for 20 minutes - do not use ice, iced water, or any creams or greasy substances such as butter. 3. Remove any clothing or jewellery that is near the burnt area of skin, including babies’ nappies - but do not move anything that is stuck to the skin.


4. Make sure the person keeps warm - by using a blanket, for example, but take care not to rub it against the burnt area. 5. Cover the burn by placing a layer of cling film over it - a clean plastic bag could also be used for burns on your hand. 6. Use painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen to treat any pain.


7. If the face or eyes are burnt, sit up as much as possible, rather than lying down - this helps to reduce swelling.


The British Red Cross website has a video about First Aid for burns: http://www.redcross.org.uk/What-we-do/first-aid/Everyday-First-Aid/Burns.


Depending on how serious a burn is, it may be possible to treat it at home. For minor burns, keep the burn clean and do not burst any blisters that form. More serious burns require professional medical attention. You should call Asociacion Amigos Europeos de Javea on 96 579 6099 (24 hr service) if you are a member.... they will have an ambulance to you without delay. If you are not a member, call 112. Get to hospital for all chemical and electrical burns; large or deep burns – any burn bigger than your hand; burns that cause white or charred skin - of any size; and burns on the face, hands, arms, feet, legs or genitals that cause blisters.


Smoke or Fumes inhalation If someone has breathed in smoke or fumes, they should also seek medical attention. Some symptoms may be delayed and can include: coughing, a sore throat, difficulty breathing and facial burns.


People at greater risk from the effects of burns, such as children under 5 years old and pregnant women, should also get medical attention after a burn or scald. The size and depth of the burn will be assessed and the affected area cleaned before a dressing is applied. In severe cases, skin graft surgery may be recommended.


Call and speak with Laure Bolufer the Asociacion Amigos Europeos de Javea (AAEdJ) Registration Manager on 96 579 6099 (Laure works from 10am to 1pm every weekday). The AAEdJ ambulance service covers almost all of Costa Blanca North and will come straight to you wherever you are. Just €50 for a whole year for the whole family.


Article brought to you by ASOCIACION AMIGOS EUROPEOS DE JAVEA. Avenida Juan Carlos 1, No 69, 03730 Javea. Telephone 96 579 6099 (24hr), email: amigos_europeos@yahoo.es.


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