For Even a Minor Burn Injury Accord the Same Priority as Trauma Cases

by Laura P. Consultant

When one of your loved ones, especially a child, suffers a burn, you may reach out for ice or butter.

Sadly, many of such home remedies are just myths and are quite ineffective.

According to a doctor medical clinic near Arlington, many of the traditional methods are not only ineffective, but also deviate from accepted burn care management.

As per a research study, cooling the area of the burn by running water is the best first-step treatment. This approach reduces the extent of burn and greatly minimizes the chances of the child needing admission into a hospital with subsequent burn excision or skin grafting.

But there is a caveat.

This approach of treating by cool running water remains favorable for up to 3 hours only.

Thereafter you may need to visit a healthcare facility like Arlington walk-in medical clinic.

Minor burns or first-degree burns are common in home settings. You may get it if you accidently touch a hot stove, an iron, or a flame at BBQ or from a cigarette lighter.

After cooling the area by running water, doctors recommend the following steps.

Apply petroleum jelly at the affected part, 2 to 3 times a day.
Cover the area with a sterile bandage.
Take over-the-counter (OTC) medication like acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain relief.

Initial burns are usually sterile. The focus must be on fast healing and prevention of infection.

The first six hours following a burn injury are critical. If you feel it is necessary, call 911 or take the patient to a burn unit in a hospital.

Any burn injury that is 2nd degree or more requires medical care straightway.

The doctor at medical clinic near Arlington will evaluate how big the burn size is as a percentage of the patient’s total Body Surface Area (BSA). If the burn injury is large (>10% BSA or 3rd degree or higher), the doctor, in all probability will refer the patient to a hospital.

He or she will also assess the nature of burn depending on:

The location – Burns of face, hands, feet, or genitals are more susceptible to infection and require more care.
Who was burnt – Older patients, children, diabetics, and those having chronic medical conditions tend to have poorer outcomes and may require extended healing time.

During the pandemic when you are sheltering in place and practicing social distancing, do not refrain from seeking immediate care if you or any of your loved ones suffers a burn injury.

Urgent care facilities are continuing to address all medical needs both virtually and in-person. Addressing a burn injury at the right time with appropriate treatment will ensure that no serious complications follow.

If you are sure the injury is minor and not serious, it is worth checking if the urgent care facility provides virtual care options.

It would not be surprising if an Arlington walk-in medical clinic offers telehealth visits for issues such as:

Allergies, minor colds, and sore throats
Scrapes, cuts, and minor burns
Minor skin concerns like acne, ringworm, eczema, or poison ivy
Abdominal pain or diarrhea

For the management of minor injuries like 1st degree burns, telemedicine can provide a satisfactory standard of care.

Arlington VA Immediate Care Clinic is a premier urgent care service located in Arlington, VA. The clinic offers patients quality medical care without an appointment. This Immediate Care Clinic boasts of having qualified and experienced doctors, fully equipped lab, and onsite X-ray facilities.