How are burn dressings made? How to clean the wound?

Dressing burns is one of the most important things to do with people who have been in a fire accident. Due to the information received from the right and left, the person has rather wrong thoughts about the subject. Therefore, in our content we will talk about the preparation of burn dressing and its treatment process.

Here’s what you need to know about burn dressings.

How are burn dressings made?

Burns can occur due to factors such as extreme heat, chemicals or electricity to which the skin is exposed. A burn is an injury where the skin has been damaged and if not treated properly you run the risk of infection, scarring or permanent skin damage. Burn dressing is essential for cleaning and protecting the burn area. So, how is burn dressing done? Here’s a step-by-step guide to dressing burns:

1. Wash your hands

Clean your hands before applying burn dressings. Keeping your hands clean will reduce the risk of transferring germs to the burn area. Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and then dry your hands with a clean towel.

2. Cool down the burn area

Immediately run the burned area under cold water. Cold water lowers the temperature in the burn area, relieving pain and preventing further damage to the skin. Soak the burned area in cold water for at least 5-10 minutes. However, do not use ice or icy water, as this can further damage your skin.

3. Clean the burn area

While the burn is under cold water, clean the burn with mild soap and water. Avoid touching or rubbing the burn area, but clean it gently. You can use a soft cloth or cotton swab to remove dirt and foreign matter from the burn. However, do not leave cotton swabs in the burn area.

4. Dry off the focal point

After cleaning the burn, gently pat dry with a dry towel or clean cloth. The burned area must remain dry.

5. Dress the burn

Apply an antiseptic cream or ointment to the burned area. Then cover the burn area with sterile gauze or a clean cotton cloth. Covering the burn reduces the risk of infection and helps the skin to regenerate

What should be done first in the treatment of burns?

It is extremely dangerous to apply pomades or creams containing topical anesthetics to the burn to relieve the pain. Since the absorption of these substances through intact skin will be uncontrolled, they can have negative consequences, especially for the heart and circulatory system. When the burn dressing is applied, the patient’s pain will decrease.

The use of oral antibiotic pills should not be started from memory. Using antibiotics without signs of inflammation is both unnecessary and harmful.

For minor burns that occur at home, it is sufficient to apply a closed bandage with topical cream or pomades after cooling with tap water. These agents will reduce the inflammation and pain sensation caused by the drying and stretching of the skin. The patient may be given pain medication.

Superficial burns, such as a sunburn, are burns that heal on their own no matter what you apply. For superficial burns, substances such as toothpaste and yogurt are of no benefit or harm. In case of deep burns, these substances can have very harmful consequences.

The goal of superficial burns that heal on their own within 10 days is to complete this process in the most painless and comfortable way possible. For this, it is enough to cover the burn area with oily pomades.

Considerations in the treatment of burn dressings

There are many sensitive points to consider when dressing for burns. First of all, there is a perception that you can apply yogurt to first-degree burns. However, since the skin’s integrity is not compromised in first-degree burns, applying cold things like yogurt isn’t beneficial to the burn, but it isn’t harmful either. It can help reduce energy in the burned area.

The main thing is to apply analgesic creams, as a slight soreness can occur with first-degree burns. Pain relievers can also be administered orally, muscularly, or intravenously. These burns are burns that heal spontaneously over time.

In burns with compromised skin integrity, improper applications can cause infection and progression of the burn. Some methods known to the ancients are definitely not recommended in this case.

Close bandages should be applied as much as possible. The dressing is applied using an antibiotic or antiseptic dressing material that prevents possible infections.

The idea of ​​keeping it as open as possible is wrong in burns with compromised skin integrity. Dressing should be done in health facilities for burns with compromised skin integrity.

For second-degree burns that are not very large, you can continue dressing at home in the same way as you did there after you had the first dressing applied at the healthcare facility. No matter how small a burn, electrical burn, chemical burn, burns in the intimate area (face, hand, foot, genitals), the bandage treatment should be carried out strictly according to the guidelines of the health institution.

In addition, it should be borne in mind that edema formation can be prevented by slightly lifting the burned area. Excessive edema causes the progression of trauma and pain. Therefore, it is recommended to keep the burned limb at heart level.

How do you clean a burn?

Wounds are washed with warm tap water or room temperature saline to clean the wound and remove any residual debris. Neutral pH-free antiseptic solutions and brushes should not be used. It is not necessary to use creams or pomades containing topical antimicrobials for minor burns. Dressing with gauze impregnated with paraffin or oily ointments (e.g. 0.2% Nitrofurazone ointment) is suitable.

Dressings should be prepared individually for each patient and for single use. In the presence of infection or scab and extensive burns, 1% silver sulfadiazine is used. Since it delays wound healing, the use of silver preparations should be discontinued as soon as epithelization is observed.

First degree burns

No closure or superficial antibacterial agent is needed. Moisturizing creams or ointments will do. These agents will reduce the inflammation and pain sensation caused by the drying and stretching of the skin. The patient may be given pain medication. For extensive first-degree burns, the patient may be hospitalized for pain and hydration management if necessary.

For second degree burns

In superficial burns, paraffin-impregnated tissues do not stick to the wound, reducing pain at dressing changes. Polyurethane film coatings can also be used in cosmetically visible areas. If these are not available, gauze dressings impregnated with paraffin or oily ointments (e.g. 0.2% nitrofurazone ointment) are suitable.

Small in size and not thought to burst uncontrollably, water bags can stay in place. Large water bags should be emptied or removed and followed by dressing.

Deep burns

Antibiotic creams can be applied directly (e.g., silver sulfadiazine, mupirocin, nitrofurazone) or under paraffin-impregnated gauze. If wound healing is delayed and exceeds three weeks, discoloration, hypertrophic scarring, keloid formation and/or contracture may occur, so it is appropriate to transport patients to burn center(s) without delay.

Third and fourth degree burns

Spontaneous removal of scabs occurs with the enzymatic products of the underlying bacteria. Eschar does not secrete spontaneously in sterile full-thickness burns. Spontaneous detachment of the scab is a sign that the wound is infected. This group of patients often require surgery and are referred to burn centers/centers for inpatient treatment.

Is the burn dressing closed?

Burn bandages should be kept closed. Depending on the severity of the wound, a dressing is expected daily, every other day or once every 3 days.

How many days is the bandage applied for 2 degree burns?

Second degree burns, which are pink or red in color, are very uncomfortable because they cause pain. Therefore, we recommend that you consult a doctor. On average, the burn heals within 10-14 days.

Is it a hug or not?

A clean cloth should be wrapped over the burn and a doctor should be consulted as soon as possible. Therefore, it is recommended to wrap the burn as a first treatment. Then the doctor will apply the necessary treatment.

What is put on the burn?

You can apply aloe vera creams or antibiotic burn ointments to the first degree burn. Second degree burns require dressing with specially produced burn dressings. With other burns, expert control is essential.

What is good for a burn with blisters?

The treatment of these bubbles should be done under the supervision of a specialist doctor. The bubbles are burst open by the doctor and a closed bandage is applied to the skin. This dressing is changed every 2-3 days.

Is iodine tincture poured into the burn?

Tincture diode is used to kill microbes around the injured area. In this way, the transfer of microbes from the open wound to the body is prevented. It is not recommended to use on the wound as it can cause serious problems.

Is batikon good for burns?

Batikon, which is usually used for cuts and scrapes, can also be applied to minor burns. The drug, which plays an important role in the treatment and prevention of infection, is an antiseptic cleansing agent.