by Sarah Staples

Created on: May 05, 2010

A scald is a thermal burn caused by wet heat such as hot water or steam.  Scalds to the hands are a common injury often sustained in the kitchen environment.  Scalded hands can be extremely painful and require prompt, effective first aid treatment to prevent longer term complications.

As in any first aid emergency situation, immediate treatment begins by ensuring the safety of the victim and the first aider; it is vital to ensure the potential for further scald injuries is eliminated.  The victims vital signs should then be checked to ensure there are no other, more serious injuries that require emergency management before the scalded hands are treated.  For example, facial scalds may also have occurred which would have the potential to cause breathing difficulties.

Once you are satisfied that the scalded hands are the priority of treatment, you should immediately begin to cool the effected areas.  The most effective way of doing this is to place the hand under running cold water.  You should continue cooling the area for at least ten minutes or until the pain resolves.  If you are not able to move the victim to a sink to do this then you could put the hand into a bowl of cold water.  However, you will need to change the water regularly as it will begin to heat up and therefore become less effective.  It is important not to use ice or iced water to cool the scald as this would cause further damage to the already injured tissues.  If you do not have access to water, and other inert cold liquid would suffice; for example lemonade or squash.  You may also have access to specially designed burn gel pads in a first aid kit; these can also be used.  Whilst you are cooling the area it is important to remove any rings or watches from the limb as these could become tight if the hand and fingers swell.

Once the scald has been cooled you need to cover it to prevent infection and reduce pain.  Pain from a scald will be made worse if the area is open to the air.  An easy way of covering a scalded hand is to place the hand into a clean plastic bag, such as a food storage bag.  This can be loosely tied around the wrist.  Other ways of covering the scalded hand include cling film or a clean tea towel or pillow case.  It is important not to place anything fluffy onto the scalded area that could result in fibres becoming stuck to the damaged tissue.  The injured arm should then be elevated to reduce swelling.

All scalds to the hand except the very minor need to be assessed by a doctor or other health care professional.  Scalded hands need appropriate further medical care to prevent complications such as infection and tissue deformity.

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