Second Degree BurnsHow to CureSecond degree burns are common in today’s emergency rooms and homes. They can be caused by accidental exposure to fire, hot water, steam, chemicals or even friction. These injuries can be treated successfully in the home, but in some instances should be addressed by medical personnel. For chemical burns, you must flush the area thoroughly before any treatment, and it should be noted what type of chemical caused the burn. The same follows for electrical burns, except that this type of injury can have unseen and deep trauma under the skin. These types of injuries require expert medical attention and should not be treated at home. Immediate medical attention should be given for burns or scalds around the face, groin or on large areas of skin. Cover the areas lightly with wet gauze or toweling and get the person to an emergency unit promptly. As in the case of curing a second degree burn in the home, it is vital to be knowledgeable about the injury. A burn of this type affects the second layer of skin, or dermal layer. The affected area is almost always red and swollen, and will usually be accompanied by blisters. There is a clear demarcation between injured and healthy tissue. The resulting inflammation is always accompanied by intense stinging or burning pain. Any second degree injuries larger than the palm of your hand should be seen by emergency personnel. For smaller burns, you can provide in-home treatment. The first order of treatment is to cool the affected area. Running cool water over the burn can be sufficient, and never use ice. Pain medications such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen can take the sting and swelling out of most burns. DO NOT apply butter or any other creams as a home remedy to a second degree burn. Butter contains salt, which will result in even more fluid loss in the damaged tissue. The injury should remain dry and clean. Burns smaller than a quarter can have burn ointment or antibacterial cream applied. Blisters are sometimes seen with second degree burns. Try not to rupture these, as that will expose raw skin to possible infection. Gently wash the burned area with mild soap and water, rinse thoroughly, allow to air-dry, and then cover with non-stick gauze or bandage secured with tape. Do not let tape stick to the damaged skin. If a blister does burst during treatment, do not try to remove the dead skin. Just continue with washing and cover with the non-stick dressing. A Tetanus shot may be necessary for the afflicted person. Second degree injuries can expose the skin to infection, so monitoring is vital. Look for increased redness, pustules or running sores. If any infection is suspected, seek immediate medical attention. After about 48 hours of monitoring, you can apply an over-the-counter burn ointment or antibacterial cream to the affected area, following instructions. This should provide general relief and speed healing.
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