Diwali illuminates the night sky with a myriad of colours, but it brings with it a dark side that often goes unaddressed— an alarming increase in burn injuries. Doctors have even called this phenomenon a “seasonal and preventable epidemic”.
However, knowing how to carry out minor burn first aid and aftercare can make a significant difference. By educating ourselves, our families, and our communities, we can transform moments of panic into opportunities for confident, informed action, ensuring that minor burns don’t escalate into major issues.
To start, knowing how to assess the severity of a burn can help in taking the appropriate action quickly.
Burns are classified into three categories depending on how deep and severe they are.
First-degree burns affect only the outer layer of the skin, known as the epidermis. These burns result in redness, pain, and dryness. Such burns do not form blisters. Long-term tissue damage is uncommon and usually limited to changes in skin colour.
Second-degree burns, also known as partial thickness burns, affect both the epidermis and part of the dermis, the middle and thickest layer of skin. These burns present as red, blistered areas, often accompanied by pain and swelling.
Third-degree burns, also called full-thickness burns, affect all three layers of skin. In severe cases, the damage may extend to fat, muscles, tendons, and even bones. Such burns usually destroy nerve endings, due to which there is no sensation in the area, although there might be pain near it. The burn site appears white or charred.
Burns are classified as ‘major’ if they cover more than a certain percentage of the body surface area—10 per cent of a child’s body or 15 to 20 per cent of an adult’s body. Such injuries require hospitalisation and rehabilitation.
Here’s everything you need to know about handling minor burns and the steps for effective recovery and healing.
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What to do right after a burn
The first moments after a burn can be frightening, but the key is to remain calm and composed. Whether you’re the victim or the one assisting, remember: composure can be a lifesaver.
The initial step is to remove any clothing stuck to the burn but do so gently to avoid aggravating the injury further.
The next crucial action is cooling down the burn. Use cool water, not ice, as extreme cold can cause more harm. Keep the burnt area under cool running water for 10 to 15 minutes. If running water is unavailable, a cool, clean wet cloth or a brief soak in cool water will suffice.
Once the burn is cooled, it’s important to assess its severity to decide the next course of action.
Tending to minor burns
Minor burns, characterised by redness, swelling, and pain, can be managed at home. Start by gently cleaning the burn with soap and water. Avoid popping blisters, as an opened blister can easily become infected. Applying a thin layer of ointment like petroleum jelly or aloe vera can help.
However, steer clear of antibiotic ointments, as they might trigger allergies. To protect the burn, use a sterile non-stick gauze lightly taped in place, ensuring it doesn’t shed fibres. For pain relief, over-the-counter pain medicines like acetaminophen or other NSAIDS can be taken, but always follow the recommended dosage.
Minor burns, though seemingly trivial, can take up to three weeks to heal completely. During this period, it’s crucial to resist the urge to scratch the site, as tempting as it may be. Scratching can delay the healing process and potentially lead to infections.
Moreover, be vigilant about any signs of infection, such as increased pain, redness, swelling, pus, fever, or swollen lymph nodes. These symptoms warrant immediate medical attention.
More serious burns
For more serious burns, it is important to seek professional medical help.
For second-degree burns, burn care providers often recommend antibiotic ointments or creams, applied with bandages to maintain moisture and prevent infections.
Dressing changes, though potentially painful, are crucial, and your care team will coordinate them with your pain management regimen. Techniques such as soaking dressings in water can help minimise discomfort during removal.
Various wound care products, including medicated foam, honey-based products, and silver dressings, may be used, some of which do not require daily changes. Your burn care team will carefully select the appropriate products, determine the timing for application and removal, and ensure effective wound care management for your recovery.
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After-care
Once your skin has healed and ceased draining, maintaining adequate moisture levels is crucial to prevent blisters, skin tears, and itching, as well as to improve flexibility.
Apply unscented moisturiser multiple times daily, gently massaging it into the scar based on your doctor’s advice. Be cautious not to overapply, particularly on the face, to prevent pore blockage and pimples. During moisturising, apply moderate pressure to desensitise scars, gradually incorporating scar massage and stretching into your routine.
Always choose unscented moisturisers, and avoid fragranced lotions. There are various options, with their own pros and cons. High-water-content lotions in bottles allow for easier application but require more frequent use. Thicker creams in tubes or jars need thorough massaging but last longer.
When handling blisters, pierce them carefully, drain onto gauze, and apply antibiotic ointment and nonstick dressing, avoiding adhesive bandages.
Treat skin tears by applying pressure, cleaning with mild soap and water, and using antibiotic ointment and nonstick dressing. For ulcerations, keep the area covered with nonstick dressing and antibiotic ointment, especially during physical activities.
If allergic reactions occur, discontinue product use, reintroducing them gradually to identify triggers. Consult a doctor for persistent reactions or known skin allergies.
In the aftermath of a burn injury, persistent itching, known as pruritus, can cause discomfort and disruption until the wound heals completely. It’s a common issue, but the exact reasons behind it are complex and not well understood. It can affect your daily life, including sleep, work, and physical activities, and can trigger anxiety, further exacerbating the condition.
To address itching effectively, it’s important to describe to your doctor how intense it is and how it impacts your life.
While complete relief might be difficult to achieve right away, treatments such as topical therapies (moisturisers, creams), lukewarm baths with additives (like baking soda or oatmeal), and oral medications (antihistamines, gabapentin) offer temporary relief.
Carefully considering medications and adapting treatments to your specific needs is essential for managing post-burn itching and restoring a sense of normalcy during your recovery.
In conclusion, Diwali-related burn injuries are not just unfortunate accidents, but preventable tragedies resulting from negligence and lack of awareness. It is our collective responsibility to address this issue head-on. By fostering awareness, promoting safety measures, and ensuring that immediate post-burn care is readily available, we can transform Diwali into a celebration that truly embodies the spirit of light, joy, and above all, safety.
The author holds an MD in dermatology, venereology, and leprosy. She is currently working as a specialist dermatologist in ESIC, Okhla, New Delhi. Views are personal.
(Edited by Asavari Singh)