Posted on Burn Injury Blog / Blog / Burn Treatment Techniques
Assessing the severity of a burn is an integral part of determining how to deal with the burn injury, as well as for deciding whether to evacuate the burned victim.
Difficulty Level: Check for Moderate Burns First.
What are the Steps?
1.
Step One
The first step in how to treat a burn injury is the most logical. Look at the wound site to be treated: If the skin is red and painful, but there are no blisters, chances are it’s a superficial burn.
2.
Step Two
Look for blistering and wetness and ask about the degree of pain. If blistering is present and pain is severe, the burn is probably partial thickness.
3.
Step Three
Consider a full-thickness burn if the injured person reports no pain, or just a dull pain, in the center of the burned area. The skin may also look charred and grayish.
4.
Step Four
Look at the injured person’s palm: The surface area of the palm represents approximately 1 percent of the individual’s TBSA (total body surface area).
5.
Step Five
Compare this area to the extent of the burn to arrive at a TBSA figure. Burns covering more than 15 percent (15%) TBSA are life-threatening, especially partial- and full-thickness burns.
6.
Step Six
Continue with treatment for the burn (see also “How to Treat a Burn in the Wilderness“).
Burns in particular areas are more dangerous than others on the:
When in doubt, evacuate the burn victim. *This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.
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