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Nursing care for burn patients
- Second degree burns
It affects the outer and inner layers of the skin, and is characterized by the presence of blisters and subcutaneous infiltration. Healing occurs within 2-3 weeks
Symptoms:
It is characterized by the appearance of blisters, visible swelling, severe pain, subcutaneous infiltration, and plasma oozing through the damaged skin layers.
First aid for 2nd degree burns:
- Move the injured person away from the heat source.
- Remove any clothing over the burned area.
- Immerse the burned area in cold water to reduce pain (cooling the tissues this way helps lower the temperature of the tissues adjacent to the skin).
- Do not use ice or iced water as it can cause tissue damage.
- Dry the area afterward with sterile bandages or a clean, ironed, and cool cloth.
- Cover the burn with Vaseline gauze followed by a dry bandage, ensuring not to remove or puncture the burned tissues.
- Change the bandage every 1–2 days or if it becomes soaked with plasma fluid.
- Watch for signs of infection, such as fever, unexplained pain, or pus.
- Second-degree burns on the face or neck, or burns larger than 3 cm, require medical attention.
