First Aid Tips for Burns

June 29, 2017

Burns can happen extremely suddenly and lead to extensive pain and even the possibility of infection and other severe consequences. As a family caregiver it is important that you not only recognize the risks of burns and are able to identify the severity of burns when they occur, but that you are able to respond to those burns in the way that is safest, healthiest, and most effective. This can minimize the severity of the consequences and help your parent start healing. Use these first aid tips to handle a burn that your aging parent might suffer:

Immediately cool the burn. As soon as your parent suffers a burn, it is important to cool it. This will draw the heat out of the burn and the surrounding tissue, halting the damage and easing the pain. Run the injured area under cool running water for at least five minutes. Never put ice on a burn and do not rub it, as this could lead to serious damage to the tissue.
Leave blisters alone. The blisters of a second degree burn can form within minutes of the injury occurring. If you notice these blisters forming while cooling the burn, do not break, puncture, or otherwise try to remove them. These are the body’s way of cooling the tissue and protecting it in an effort to start the healing process.
Cover the burn. Once the area is cooled, cover it lightly to protect it. Use a clean bandage that will not stick. Do not cover too tightly. Covering the burn will protect it from the air, reducing pain and also guarding it from germs that can lead to infection
Keep the burn clean. Keep the area around the burn clean with gentle soap and water, but do not rub or scrub the burn itself. Never apply any type of grease or butter to the burn or the area, as this can make the injury more serious and increase the chances of infection.
Talk to a doctor. Never hesitate to talk to your parent’s doctor about their burn. Avoid using any ointments or creams until you have consulted with them to ensure that it is safe.

If you have noticed that the challenges of caring for your elderly parent have become too extensive for you to handle comfortably and confidently, your schedule has changed and limited your ability to manage your parent’s needs, or your parent’s needs have increased, now may be the ideal time for you to start home care for them. An in-home senior care services provider can be with your elderly parent on a schedule that is right for them and their needs, allowing you to care for them as much as is right for you and your elderly loved one. This enables them to receive a highly personalized set of services that will help them to stay safe, healthy, comfortable, and happy throughout their later years while also supporting their mental and emotional well-being, and as much independence as possible. This can give you tremendous peace of mind to know that if there is an emergency, this care provider will be able to act quickly to ensure that your senior gets the level of care that they need.

If you or your loved one is looking for home care in Saratoga, CA, please call Familiar Surroundings Home Care.

Santa Clara County: (408) 979-9990

San Mateo County: (650) 353-9777

Santa Cruz County: (831) 480-3990

Sources: https://healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/all-around/Pages/First-Aid-For-Burns.aspx https://healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/all-around/Pages/First-Aid-For-Burns.aspx

Tags: Home Care in Saratoga CA

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