Burns to the Mouth and Throat
What are burns to the mouth and throat?
Burns and scalds on the face, or in the mouth or throat, can cause death since the rapid (quick) swelling caused by the burn can block the airway. In very bad cases, there is little a First Aider can do other than try to get medical help urgently.
How can you tell that someone has a burn to the mouth or throat?
He or she may have:
- soot (black tiny flakes from smoke) around the mouth and nose
- redness, swelling, or burning of the tongue
- burns around mouth and nose
- burned hairs in the nose
- difficulty in speaking
- difficulty in breathing.
Your actions:
As always, assess D R A B, respond as needed, and treat any more urgent injuries.
Try to get urgent medical help. Say what the problem is.
Try to help the casualty to breathe – loosen tight clothing around the neck, and place him or her in the most comfortable position for breathing (probably sitting up, if he or she is conscious).
If the casualty is conscious give sips of cold water to help reduce the pain and swelling.
If the casualty becomes unconscious then place him or her in the recovery position (see Unit 10).
Remember to keep checking the casualty’ vital signs and writing down (or remembering) what you found and what you did, so that you can report this to any health worker who takes over from you.
Be prepared to resuscitate.
Words you need to know
- Resuscitate
- restart breathing or heart beat by using CPR
