Putting a cling wrap on a burn helps to keep the burn clean and prevent infection. It also keeps water in the wound. Cling wrap should be applied to the burn after running it under cold water. Minor burns are the most common household injuries and that they only take about a week to heal; almost everyone has had a burn. With proper care, there are no chances of infection, and you will be well again soon. Keep on reading, we will guide you on how to cover your mild burn, and we will also explore cling film for burns.
Do burns heal faster covered or uncovered?
Should you cover a burn or let it breathe?
It turns out the myth of drying out a burn wound by exposing it to the air and allowing to scab over will result in faster healing will not go away. Luckily, this myth has been investigated scientifically, and it is now conclusively demonstrated that a covered burn heals faster that uncovered burn.
But why is it that when we were growing up, we were always advised to let the wounds get some fresh air, especially if the burn was fresh, and they always healed? Interestingly enough, today some people still leave their burns exposed to air, so they heal faster.
However, when you go to a hospital with a fresh burn, the first thing that the doctor will recommend is clean the wound and cover it up. Why should you cover a burn? If exposing a wound to the air is so good and promotes healing, then why do doctors commend covering the burn with dressing and bandages? According to medical evidence, with the exception of minor cuts bruises, or scrapes, it is always good to cover burns.
Why should you cover a burn after cooling it?
- If a burn is covered after cooling, it keeps the skin cells from drying out and forming a scab, which ultimately reduces chances of scarring at the site of a blister. Besides covering a burn does good things, including keeping the burn moist, which promotes skin healing.
- Furthermore, keeping a burn covered significantly reduces the chances of infection, as it keeps germs, dirt, and possible unclean, water from coming in contact with the injury. This is a good thing for the wound since if germs, dirt, and other unwanted things to not get to the site of injury, you might get an infection. Even though the scab closes off the burn and prevents it from being infected, actually impedes the growth of new skin cells to cover the wound.
- After all, an exposed wound provides no protection whatsoever against the further worsening of the wound. Thus, if a wound is left uncovered, the scab can be scratched, this increases the chances of re-injury.
Weighing all the above factors, the best way to protect a wound and to guarantee that it heals well is to cover it with a thin film of antibacterial cream or Vaseline.This offers a protective barrier which keeps the air out, prevents extensive scabbing, and speeds up the migration and growth of new skin cells into the area. A bandage of dressing, in contrast, provides added comfort and cushioning to the wound. All in all, it is good to cover the wounds but talk to your doctor before using any product.
Can you cover a burn with cling film?
How long to keep cling film on a burn?
Cling film is ideal for wrapping a burn as it is sterile- as long as the first few centimeters are thrown away and not used. Besides, cling does not stick to the skin, and a physician can see through it to evaluate the burn, it is protective, and it is soothing.
An alternative to cling film is a plastic bag. Leave cling film on until a doctor or nurse assess you. Apply cling film in layers instead of round like a bandage, to prevent it from causing pressure if the burnt area swells. So, for instance, never wrap cling film round and round a burnt arm or leg. Cling is considered ideal material for burns aid treatment for the following reasons:
- Cling film is waterproof thus ideal for watersports, unlike conventional bandages which rapidly become soaked.
- Cling film is airtight. It can keep moisture in this makes it ideal for burns and infection out.
- It is inherently clean; Though it is not completely sterile, the manufacturer points that the first wrap has been removed from the roll, it is as clean as anything you will find in a pre-hospital environment.
- Cling film is transparent, making it easy to monitor infection or burn wound healing without having to expose and redress a wound repeatedly.
- Cling film is malleable; being able to contort to complicated body shapes like knuckles or elbows where other dressings may struggle to seal, especially with continual movement completely
- Being so thin, the cling film does not prevent a noticeable insulative barrier meaning the burn can be cooled or warmed with the cling film in place.
How long do you cover a burn?
How long should you keep a burn covered?
The British Burn Association recommends cool, call and cover for a burn. Cool, call, and cover has been used in most countries as first aid for burns. The burn is cooled by running cool tap water for twenty minutes and removing all clothing and jewelry.
For major burns; third and fourth degree burns victims or people close to them during the incident are advised to call 999 or the local GP for advice. The burn can be covered with cling while transferring to a hospital. If the burn is mild and is not necessarily to go to the hospital; the cling film will be regularly changed until the burn’s completely healed.
The hospital should apply a sterile dressing. Cling film should not be left on a burn for more than a few hours and only while a doctor is assessing wounds. Minor burn affecting the outer layer of the skin and some of the underlying layer of tissue heal in around fourteen days, leaving minimal scarring.
First aid for burns from boiling water
The first aid is divided into four sections.
Stop the burning process
- Get the person away from the boiling water.
- Remove clothing, nappies, and jewelry. Clothing can hold heat on the burnt region, and jewelry can block blood flow if swelling happens.
- Clothing or jewelry that is melted or firmly stuck to the wound not be disturbed. However, this should not prevent cooling.
Cool the burns
- Cool the burn immediately with running cool tap water for at least twenty minutes. This might appear like a long time, but it makes a real difference to scarring.
- Cooling is essential for up to three hours after the injury, so even if you are not able to do it straight away as soon as you can, you can still do it later.
- Cool the burn, but keep the person warm. If a child starts shivering to stop the cooling.
Cover the burns
- After cooling the burn, cover it with cling film or, if this not accessible, use a clean non-fluffy cloth or non-sticky dressing. Cling film should be applied loosely, and not on the face.
- Don’t use ice, butter or even creams to pastes as they will not help the wound to heal and can interfere with an assessment of the burn
Get medical advice
- Call 999 for the most appropriate urgent medical attention or your local GP.
- You can also visit Minor Injuries Unit
- How to treat a scald from boiling water
- Burns and scalds are injuries to the skin caused by heat. Scalds are treated the same way as burns. While a burn is caused by dry heat such as iron or fire, a scald is caused by something wet, such as hot water or steam.
How to treat a scald from boiling water?
Scalds can be painful and may result in;blisters, peeling and redness of the skin, swelling as well as white or charred skin. The amount of pain that the patient feels is not always linked to the severity of the scalds. Even a severe scald may comparatively be painless. To treat a scald follow the first aid advice given above:
- You can use painkillers such as ibuprofen and paracetamol to relieve any pain.
- If the face or eyes are scalded, sit up as much as possible, rather than lying down- this helps to minimize swelling.
When to get medical attention for boiling water scald?
Depending on the severity of the scald, it may be possible to treat it at home. For minor scalds, keep the burn clean and do not burst any blisters that develop. More severe scalds need professional medical attention. You should go to a hospital or Emergency room if:
- The scald is large and deep- any scald bigger than your hand
- Scalds on the face, hands, arms, feet, legs or groin that results to blisters
- Scalds which causes white or charred skin- any size
Some signs can be delayed, and they include:
- Coughing
- A sore throat
- Facial burns
- Breathing difficulty
Individuals at higher risk from the effects of scalds and burns, such as children under five years old and pregnant women, should also get medical attention after a burn or scald. The size and depth of the burn will be examined, and the affected region cleaned before a dressing is applied. In severe instances, skin graft surgery may be recommended.
How to prevent scald and burns ?
Most severe scalds and burns affect children and babies. Examples of measures you should take to reduce the possibility of the child having a severe accident at home include:
- Keep hot drinks away from children
- Keeping your child out of the kitchen whenever possible
- Do not leave hair straighteners unattended while they are hot or put them where a child could reach them or pull on the cable. This is specifically after you have switched them off as they remain hot for a long time and children mostly like imitating adults.
- Never leave an iron unattended while it is hot or allow children near an ironing board while it is in use as the iron can easily fall or be pulled off by the cable.
- Test the temperature of bathwater using your elbow before you put the baby or toddler in the bath
- Never allow the children to sit or climb on the counters and keep hot things well away from the edges
- Keep matches, lighters and lit candles out of young children’s sight and reach
- Always keep kettles well back from the edge and do not allow power cables trail where they might be snagged or tugged by little hands.
- Never leave pan handles sticking out where they might be accidentally knocked or reached by a child.
Sudocrem for Burns
Sudocrem offers gentle yet effective relief from cuts, grazes and minor burns. It helps to heal burns by forming a protective layer over the vulnerable area. Reducing the risk of infection, and also contains a minor local anesthetic to soothe discomfort. Follow the following advice when applying the ointment. You can use Sudocrem the same way you apply any other over the counter burn cream.
Step 1: Clean your hands with soap and water
Step 2: Cleanse the burn gently and pat it dry or allow it to air dry
Step 3: Use your finger or a sterile object like a piece of gauze to smear a small dab of the Sudocrem to the burn.
Step 4: Lightly rub the cream onto the burn
Do not apply Sudocrem until the burn has completely cooled down from the injury. You do not want to trap any heat in the wound.
