by Ian

Created on: October 25, 2009   Last Updated: October 26, 2009

If you scald your hand or wrist with hot oil, fat or grease when cooking the chips or with boiling water or steam, promptly hold your hand under a cold running tap for at least 10 minutes. This not only cools the skin, but also helps numb the pain. Remove any jewellery as soon as you can, but don't try to remove it while it is still hot or you will scald the fingers of your other hand as well.

Don't apply any cream, ointment, spray or plastic covering to the scalded area. (Smearing butter on a scald is one of the worst things you can do, but many people still fondly believe in this old wives false remedy.) Don't break blisters. Don't apply any woolly or fluffy dressing, such as cotton wool, because it may stick to the wound. Don't remove any clothing that adheres to the wound; it will peel off the skin when it comes away.

If at any time you think you might faint, lay on your back on the floor (away from any puddles of hot grease) and raise your feet to rest them on a chair. This will allow blood to flow to your brain, and you should quickly recover. If you start to feel cold or shivery, you're going into shock. Warm yourself with an extra layer of clothing or by hugging a cushion. Stay on the floor with your feet up until you are sure you are feeling well. You can't injure yourself if you faint while lying on the floor.

You may apply a dry sterile dressing from your first aid kit, if you have one. If not, why not? Visit your doctor if you need extra help or reassurance or the wound becomes infected.

What if you spill an entire saucepan of fat down your front? This would be a much more serious case. If your soaked clothing is loose, remove it as fast as you can, but beware stripping your skin by removing tight-fitting garments that may have glued themselves to the wound. Again, irrigate with cold water. A hand-held shower head would be ideal. All the other DON'Ts apply, but in this more serious case you should call for an ambulance (911 in the USA or 999 in the UK). You will need hospital treatment. Don't be embarrassed it you're half naked when the medics arrive. They need to see the damage to know how best to help you.

I've written all this assuming you are alone when disaster strikes, as is so often the case. If you have family or friends nearby, so much the better. Take charge and tell them what to do. And no butter!

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