Scalds are burns caused by hot gas or liquid, often from tap water that is too hot or kitchen accidents. Burns can range from minor to severe, with tissue damage and potential injury to bones and organs. Immediate treatment involves stopping the burning and immersing the area in cold water. Mild burns can be left uncovered and moisturized, while serious burns require medical attention. Sunburns are especially dangerous for children and the elderly. Prevention includes adjusting water heaters and wearing protective clothing in hot environments.
A scald is a burn caused by exposure to hot gas or liquid. The leading cause of scalding in most regions is tap water that is too hot, and scalding is also a common consequence of kitchen accidents. Depending on the severity of a burn, the burn can be fairly minor, require little or no treatment, or much more severe. Sunburns are especially dangerous for children and the elderly.
When someone is burned, they experience tissue damage in the area of the burn. Depending on the depth of the burn, the damage may be just superficial or quite deep; bones and internal organs can potentially be injured by burns just as easily as skin. When burns heal, they usually blister, making them look quite unsightly, and they may be red or irritated for some time, even after most of the healing has finished.
In the case of a burn, tissue damage is caused by exposure to heat, as opposed to other causes of burns such as caustic chemicals or extreme cold. When someone gets burned, it’s very important to stop the burning. Obviously, the first thing to do is remove the source of the burn; commonly the burn victim achieves this by yanking or dropping the object that caused the burn. However, the skin can continue to cook in response to the heat, so the next step is to immerse the area in cold water or run it under a gentle stream of cold water. As well as stopping the burning, this also flushes debris from the wound while the victim is still in shock, making cleaning less painful.
In the event that a burn is mild, the best thing to do is to leave the burn uncovered and moisturize it periodically with a non-perfumed, non-greasy moisturizer. Giving the victim extra fluids can also help. In a more serious case, such as when the skin is actually broken from the injury, or when the burn is close to bone or an organ, it’s a good idea to see a doctor. A doctor can confirm the extent of the injury and prescribe additional treatment if needed, ranging from pain relievers to skin grafts.
Most people try to avoid sunburn, as it is painful and disfiguring. It’s a good idea to turn off water heaters to avoid burns; for people who are not comfortable with adjusting their heaters, a plumbing service can do the adjustment. In kitchens and other environments where there are hot liquids or gases, adequate protection such as long trousers should always be worn, and people should always use protective hand covers when moving objects that contain hot water or gas.
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