Kitchen Burns

Step 1 : Secure Your Environment

•    Make the scene safe by shutting off any open flame or burner so no one else gets hurt. 

•    Get out of the area as soon as possible and call emergency services. 

Step 2 : Assess The Burn

•    First-degree burns only affect the top layer of skin, the epidermis and are a little bit swollen and red. 

•    Sunburns are common first-degree burns unless there is blistering involved. 

Step 3 : Treat First-degree Burns

•    Put the affected area under the faucet and run cool water over it for 15-20 minutes. 

•    This will help pull heat away from the skin, which will help reduce inflammation. 

•    DO NOT use ice because it can lead to frostbite on the burned skin if it is left on the skin for too long. •    •    DO NOT apply butter or blow air on the burn. 

Step 5: Apply An Antibiotic Ointment

•    Use ointments such as Bacitracin or polysporin each time you clean the burn .  

Step 7: Monitor The Burn

•    After rinsing and treating your burn, monitor to ensure it does not develop into a second-degree burn. If it does, consider seeking medical treatment. 

Cuts And Scrapes

Step 1: Rinse Your Wound

•    Find the nearest source of running water and keep the wound underneath it to wash away the blood. 

•    This will also help remove any foreign objects that might have gotten into a cut 

•    If you don't have running water, cleanse the wound with antibacterial wash or gel. 

•    If you're cleaning a wound near the eye, be careful not to get soap in the eye.

Step 2 : Control The Bleeding

•    Before you clean and bandage a wound, try to get any bleeding under control. 

•    Using a clean, dry bandage (or any clean absorbent cloth), apply very gentle pressure over the wound 

•    The pressure on the wound will promote blood clotting and stop bleeding within 20 minutes

•    If significant bleeding continues even after you apply pressure for 15-20 minutes, the wound may need immediate medical attention. 

•    Furthermore, use soap and water to disinfect your hands before contacting the wound.

Step 3: Remove Any Visible Debris 

•    If there are large pieces of dirt, glass, or other objects embedded in the wound, try to remove them with a clean set of tweezers. 

•    Rinsing the tweezers in rubbing alcohol first will help to prevent the transfer of bacteria and other microbes. 

•    Take care not to cause further damage by pushing the tweezers into the wound itself.

Step 5 : Find An Appropriate Bandage

•    Pick out a sanitized and appropriately sized bandage for the wound. 

•    If it's a smaller cut, then a bandage with self adhesive (such as a Band-Aid) is likely best for the job. 

•    Be careful not to touch the underside of the dressing to reduce the risk of infection. 

Step 6 : Secure The Dressing And Cover It 

•    Use non-stretch, water-resistant medical tape to attach the dressing to the skin on all sides. 

•    Make sure the tape contacts healthy, uninjured skin. 

•    Avoid using industrial tape like duct tape or electrician's tape, which may tear the skin

•    Completely cover the dressing with a clean elastic wrap or stretchy bandage for further protection.

•    Don't wrap the bandage too tightly and cut off circulation to the wound 

Step 7 :  Change The Dressing Daily 

•    Replacing the old dressing with a fresh one each day keeps the wound clean and promotes healing. 

•    If your cut was small enough to use a Band-Aid, then change that daily as well. 

•    Signs of healing include reduced inflammation/swelling, less or no more pain and formation of scab.