by Rebecca Adele Scarlett

Created on: November 19, 2010

The following is the information taught by certified Standard First Aid Instructors and Examiners for the Lifesaving Society, an international organization that trains first aiders in Canada, Britain, Australia, and other countries.

There are four types of burns, and three degrees which measure the severity of the burn. Both the type and the severity need to be considered when performing first aid for a particular burn. Prompt first aid for any type of burn is important. A proper assessment of whether or not a burn requires medical attention can prevent complications such as infection.

The Three Degrees of Burns

A first degree burn will result in painful, reddened skin. This burn is superficial and does not blister or expose underlying layers of skin or tissue. General first aid for a first degree burn involves running the burned part under cool (not cold) water for pain relief and to lower the heat. A first degree burn that covers a large portion of the body, or affects the face or genitals, or is on a very young infant requires prompt medical attention.

A second degree burn is painful, and the skin is very red, shiny, and tight. This type of burn will blister, although not always immediately, and if any of the blisters break a clear fluid will weep from them. Running the burned area under cool clean water will help with pain relief, and once the area is patted dry it can be covered with a loose dressing that will not stick to the burned skin. The victim of a second degree burn is a risk for shock, and so should be monitored. As with first degree burns, a burn covering a large area, a burn affecting the face or genitals, or burns on young children require prompt medical attention. An ambulance should be called if a burn victim appears to be losing consciousness.

A third degree burn penetrates deeply, and the skin may look black and charred, or white and waxy (melted fat tissue) or muscle and/or bone may be visible. The victim of a third degree burn may be in terrible pain, or may feel no pain or only mild pain if the ends of nerves have been damaged and cannot communicate the painful feeling to the brain. This type of burn must be covered with a moist sterile dressing, as any dry dressing will stick to the fluids weeping from the skin and cause more tissue damage when removed by emergency medical staff. Third degree burns always require a call the your local emergency number. The victim of a third degree burn will likely be in shock, and so should be observed

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