What's the difference between a burn and a scold?
A burn is caused by dry heat, such as fire or touching something hot, like a hot surface, whereas a scold is caused by wet heat, such as steam or hot water.
Burns and scolds are one of the most common household injuries. Both cause damage to the skin and are very painful.
There are varying types of burns/scolds: first, second, third and fourth degrees; each degree is classified by the severity of the damage, with the first causing the least damage and fourth the most severe:
First degree – are mild with damage caused to the top layer of the skin called Epidermis, this can be painful, there will be a redness in colour but tends not to blister. Peeling of the skin can occur as the burn heals, Sun burn is a common first degree burn.
Second degree – is where damage is caused to the top layer - Epidermis and lower layer called Dermis - this can be very painful this will present as red in colour and may swell and blister. Blisters can pop and in time a scab can form over the burn.
Third Degree - affects the three layers of skin, Epidermis, Dermis and the layer of fat, this also destroys hair follicles. There may not be any pain caused by this type of pain due the extensive nerve damage. This will require immediate medical attention. The burned area may appear white, brown or black it may look charred or have a leathery texture.
Fourth degree – affects all of the above but goes deeper, causing extensive damage to the tendons and bones.
How to treat Burns and scolds
Burns and scolds are treated in the same way:
- Remove the cause of the burn or scold it as soon as possible.
- Remove any clothing or jewellery close to the burn. DO NOT remove anything that may be stuck to the skin, as this will create more damage.
- Cool the burn with cool or lukewarm water for 20 MINUTES – NEVER use ice or iced water, creams or greasy substances.
- Keep yourself and the person warm to help prevent Hypothermia
- Cover the burn with cling film – drape the cling film over the affected area. DO NOT wrap it around as this can cause more damage if the area starts to swell.
Once you have done this, you may need further medical treatment.
Hospital Treatment – seek medical advice call 111 or 999
- If the burn is larger than the size of the injured person's hand
- Any deep burn that displays white or charred skin
- Any burn on the face, neck joints, Genitals, hands or feet.
- Chemical or electrical burns
- Anyone under the age of 10
- If the injured person has any medical conditions, for example, heart, Liver or lung disease
- Anyone with weakened immune system
References
While the information provided in the blog post is general and widely known, here are a few credible sources that can be used to back up the details of this post
We, JCW Associates (UK) Ltd, are also approved by the First Aid Industry Body (FAIB) to provide First Aid Traninig. Our FAIB Registration number is: 46/21 (873)
