First Aid For Burns
One of the things we've learned through the years, is candle first aid. And by that, we mean both kinds...first aid when you've been burned, and first aid when you have a candle that is badly in need of help.
Let's tackle the human aspect here. First, let me be really, really clear on something…this is basic information about burns, and is NOT intended to offer or replace professional medical attention.
You would think that old adages such as "put butter on a burn" and "you'll catch a cold if you don't wear a sweater" would have died out by now, but these well-meaning tidbits of advice just seem to get repeated and passed on and maintain a life of their own.
Do NOT put butter on a burn! Not ever. Chances are good that if you get a burn from a candle, it's going to be painful, but mild. But never, ever, in any reality is butter a wise thing to put on a burn. Not even if your grandmother advises it; just no.
Let's address what type of burn is what, and how each needs to be managed.
On a first-degree burn, the area is red, pain is likely, and there's often swelling. You can consider a first-degree burn as mild so long as the area is small (not encompassing large portions of the hands, feet, face, groin or buttocks, or over a major joint).
To address minor, first-degree burns, first cool the burn. DO NOT PUT ICE ON A BURN! Immerse the burn (if you can) in cool-not cold-water for 10-15 minutes. This will reduce the swelling and help relieve the pain. If you cannot immerse the body part, then use cool wet compresses gently and directly to the burned area. Refresh the compresses and maintain cooling for 10-15 minutes. Cover the burn with sterile gauze, being careful to not put undue pressure on the burn. Covering will protect the burn from the air and significantly reduce discomfort. Do NOT apply egg whites, butter or ointments to the burn, or any other home remedies, as these increase the risk of infection, and if/when medical attention is sought, whatever you put on a burn is going to have to be cleaned/scraped off the skin, and that's going to hurt...a lot...as well as complicating what would otherwise be a simple treatment. Cool it, cover it lightly, see a health-care professional is a good, sensible 1-2-3 plan to burn management.
A second-degree burn will also exhibit redness, pain and swelling. However in a second-degree burn, the redness will be much more intense, and can be splotchy as well. Blisters will be evident, and the pain and swelling will be much more intense than on a simple first-degree burn.
Second-degree burns less than 3 inches in diameter can be addressed by the same methods for a first-degree mild burn--cool water, cover with sterile gauze, and don't use ointments, butter or egg whites...and of course, don't use ice. That will cause more damage to the skin and give you more to deal with than a simple, mild burn. It's important that you not disturb any blisters...they're protecting your burned skin from infection.
After you've cooled and dressed the burn, you can use over-the-counter pain relievers as recommended on the product directions.
Once first-aid is administered, of course, the best, safest route is to seek medical attention for any burn that’s large, or if you think it’s anything but a mild, first-degree burn.
If a burn is large or serious; if it's on the face, or the skin is broken, blackened, or immediately blistered, or you're just not sure what you're dealing with, please don't waste time trying to treat it at home...first aid is great for mild burns, and can be a common-sense bridge when the situation isn't an emergency, but when the situation isn't a mild burn, please seek immediate medical attention from your doctor or emergency room.
For more information on burns, check out the information at http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/first-aid-burns/FA00022.
Remember that with candles, there will be two basic sources of a burn--flame, and wax. Do your best to safely burn and handle your candles. Avoid carrying a candle with a melted wax pool. Don't try to use your hands to stop or catch a wax spill, please! A mess is much easier to deal with than a burn, and in another post I'll teach you the best way to clean up spilled wax. Also, if you burn a lot of candles, please consider having and knowing how to use a personal fire extinguisher.
More awesome info next time. Enjoy your candles!
