How can you tell that someone has been burned?

Different types of burns have different recognition features (i.e. ways you can recognise them):

Dry burns and scalds

  1. Severe
  2. Pain.
  3. Difficulty breathing.
  4. Signs of shock.
  5. Minor:
  6. Reddened skin in a light-skinned person.
  7. Pain in the area of the burn or scald.
  8. Later, there may be blistering of the area.

Electrical burns

  1. Unconsciousness.
  2. The skin is brownish/whitish or black where the electricity went into the body, and where it came out.
  3. Possible fractures from being thrown by the electricity.
  4. Signs of shock.
  5. Brown, coppery stuff on the skin if the burn is the result of a high voltage current.

Chemical burns

  1. There are things in the area that show you there might have been or still are chemicals, like tins or bottles.
  2. Very bad stinging pain.
  3. Later, the skin is a strange colour, and there is blistering, peeling and swelling of the affected area.

Radiation burns

  1. Reddened skin in a light-skinned person.
  2. Pain in the area of the burn.
  3. Later, there may be blistering of the affected skin.

All burns and scalds are classified (put into groups) by how deeply the skin has been damaged, which you can tell by looking at the burn:

Surface burn (called Superficial)

  1. Redness in a light-skinned person
  2. Tenderness
  3. Swelling

Medium burn (called Partial Thickness)

  1. Redness in a lightskinned person
  2. Tenderness
  3. Swelling
  4. Blistering

Deep burn (called Full Thickness)

  1. Pale and waxy (looks strange, not normal)
  2. Charred (black and burned) tissue

A casualty may have more than one depth of burn (for example, may have a full thickness burn surrounded by partial thickness and/or superficial burns).

Infection control

Infection control is extremely important when dealing with any open wound, including burns. It is very important that you try to prevent infection of the casualty; but also of yourself. Blood and other body fluids can carry viruses such as HIV and Hepatitis. If possible, before carrying out any First Aid you should put on disposable gloves, or put your hands in plastic bags.

However, if this is not possible, AND IF YOU HAVE NO OPEN SORES ON YOUR HANDS, you should go ahead where life may be at risk. Unbroken skin should keep viruses out.

NOTE: If your skin does come into contact with a largequantity of blood or you are splashed in the eyes or mouth, wash the area well with water and soap, and tell your doctor or health clinic.