<Things you should know> Correct knowledge about burns (2) First aid and treatment methods for burns First aid for burns How to treat burns Burn prevention methods How to care for burn scars Is this correct? Q&A about treating and caring for burns Almost everyone has experienced a burn at some point, even a minor one. Because burns are such a common injury, it's important to have a good understanding of how to deal with them, including first aid, in case of an emergency.Here, under the supervision of a dermatologist, we will provide detailed information on first aid and prevention methods for burns, as well as how to care for burn scars. First aid for burns If you or a family member suffers a burn, it's crucial to provide prompt and appropriate first aid. Depending on the condition of the burn, it may also be necessary to seek medical attention immediately. Here, we'll discuss what to do and how to make decisions immediately after a burn. First aid for burns If you suffer a burn, the most important thing is to cool it down. Apply tap water to the affected area and let it cool for 15 to 30 minutes. You can keep your clothes on during this time. Trying to forcibly remove your clothes can cause the skin to stick to the clothes, which can cause the skin and blisters to burst. If the blisters burst, the pain will increase and it will take longer to heal. Also, if you prioritize removing your clothes and delay cooling the affected area, the heat will continue to act on the area, which may cause deeper damage.While it's generally safe to use an ice pack over clothing to cool the affected area, be careful not to apply it for too long, as this could cause frostbite.After cooling the affected area, apply a clean gauze or towel to the area, being careful not to break the blisters, and then go to the hospital. Applying medication to the affected area on your own may interfere with the treatment, so it is best to refrain from any treatment other than cooling the area.Also, since the affected area may swell, please remove any jewelry such as rings. In the case of low-temperature burns, symptoms may not appear until about a week after the injury. Therefore, do not try to treat it like a typical burn by cooling it with tap water, and go to the hospital immediately. Low-temperature burns tend to become severe, so be sure to seek medical treatment. Even for minor burns, it's safer to go to the hospital. If the burn is small and only causes erythema (redness) without blisters, it is classified as a first-degree burn, the least severe type. First-degree burns generally heal within a few days, but it is difficult for a layperson to judge the depth of a burn. The burn may be deeper than it appears, or it may leave scars if proper treatment is not received. Even for minor burns, it is recommended to see a doctor just to be safe.If you suffer burns to your hands, feet, face, or genitals, please go to a general hospital. Even if the burns are small, hospitalization may be necessary. How to treat burns After administering first aid to contain the effects of the heat, take appropriate measures depending on the depth. In the case of first-degree burns In the case of first-degree burns, no further treatment is usually necessary after first aid. However, blisters may develop later (in which case it would be a second-degree burn), so be sure to monitor the condition carefully. You may also be prescribed an anti-inflammatory ointment at the hospital. Superficial second-degree burns For second-degree burns, small blisters should be left alone, and a topical medication with a lipid-melting base should be applied to keep the affected area adequately moist. The goal is to prevent the area from drying out.If the blister is large, the contents will be aspirated. If there are signs of infection, disinfection will also be performed. Afterwards, the affected area will be protected with a wound dressing or bio-bandage. Deep second degree burns In the case of deep second-degree burns, where damage extends deep into the dermis, treatment is carried out using the same methods as for superficial second-degree burns, after removing necrotic tissue as needed and applying wound dressings appropriate to the ulcer's condition.In cases of extensive burns or burns on the face, skin grafting may be performed. Third-degree burns Third-degree burns, which cause thermal damage to the entire skin layer and beyond, often require surgical intervention. In such cases, debridement (removal of necrotic tissue) is performed first, followed by skin grafting using skin taken from another part of the body, or, in cases of extensive burns, using mesh or patches. Before surgery, topical medications and dressings are applied as needed to prevent infection. If skin grafting is not necessary, treatment is generally carried out using ointments or similar products. In cases of severe burns, in addition to the methods described above, measures such as preventing low-volume shock with intravenous fluids, respiratory management using a ventilator, and infection control may be implemented as needed. In the case of low-temperature burns, skin changes usually occur about a week after the injury. If necrosis occurs, the tissue is removed, and an appropriate ointment is applied to keep the area moist while waiting for epithelialization to occur. Burn prevention methods Review of living environment To prevent burns, it's important to review your living environment. Since many burn victims are young children, for example, don't leave electric kettles or rice cookers (including cords) within their reach. There have been a number of cases where children have been burned by spilled hot water from kettles or by the tops of rice cookers.Additionally, there have been cases of people burning their hands or faces by touching the grill on a stovetop. Please double-check where there are any items that could cause burns and what condition they are in. Prevention of low-temperature burns Just like with regular burns, low-temperature burns require caution.Applying heat to the same area for extended periods using hot water bottles, electric foot warmers, electric blankets, or hand warmers can cause burns even at low temperatures (40-55 degrees Celsius). When using these items, be sure to pay close attention to the temperature and duration.As a general guideline, it is said that low-temperature burns can occur if heat is applied continuously for about 5 seconds at 60°C, about 3 minutes at 50°C, and 6 to 10 hours at 44°C. Particular caution is needed for children and the elderly with thin skin, those with sensory paralysis, and those with diabetes. Of course, even healthy adults can easily develop low-temperature burns while sleeping, as they may not notice any abnormalities until they realize it. How to care for burn scars To heal burn scars, ointments, creams, or tapes containing corticosteroids can be effective. Heparinoids (such as Hirudoid) are also effective in improving burn scars.While the improvement is gradual, the advantage is that over-the-counter medications are available, making them easy to purchase when needed. For raised skin lesions (keloids), taking an oral medication called Rizaben (tranilast) can help reduce the swelling. Alternatively, you can use elastic bandages or supports to compress the affected area and physically prevent the scar from becoming raised. If scars remain in a noticeable area such as the face, surgical treatments such as skin grafting or scar reconstruction are also available.Consult with your doctor and make your decision only after you fully understand the effects and risks. Is this correct?Q&A about treating and caring for burns Can cooling spray be used as first aid for burns? Cooling the affected area is important as first aid for burns, but cooling sprays and gels cannot be used as they are not intended for this purpose. Please cool the burn with tap water or similar. Is it true that covering the affected area with plastic wrap is a good treatment? Covering the affected area with plastic wrap can be effective if there is no risk of infection and healthy granulation tissue is growing. However, there is a risk of bacterial infection, so it is not recommended for laypeople to attempt this on their own. Always consult a medical professional and follow their instructions. Should I use disinfectant if my skin is peeling from a burn? While it's important to keep wounds clean, using disinfectants on your own can be dangerous. It can damage the cells that repair the wound, potentially slowing down the healing process. If you suffer a burn, only apply the appropriate first aid measures mentioned above and seek medical attention from a doctor. Supervised by: Dr. Tomoko Fujimoto, Director of Ikebukuro Nishiguchi Fukuro Dermatology ClinicAfter graduating from the Faculty of Medicine, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, he joined the Department of Dermatology at Tokyo Medical and Dental University. Subsequently, he served as an assistant professor at the same university, and as chief of dermatology at Tama Southern Regional Hospital and Tokyo Metropolitan Otsuka Hospital before opening Ikebukuro Nishiguchi Fukuro Dermatology Clinic. He is a certified dermatologist by the Japanese Dermatological Association. 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