07/18/2024
Radiation burns, such as sun burns, are a common injury during the summer months. Even on cloudy days you need to protect yourself and loved ones. You can protect your skin by using and reapplying sun screen and by wearing UV reflective clothing. This is a 100% preventable injury.
When burns are mentioned, it’s common that the provider’s mind immediately goes to burns from fire or explosives. While those are some of the more common burns that would lead to an emergency responder becoming involved, there are others that the wilderness provider may encounter.
Sun burns are extremely high-frequency and relatively low-acuity. Most people are able to remove themselves from the sun before the burn exceeds a superficial burn. Some patients who have limited or no mobility may be unable to move away from the sunlight or protect their exposed skin, resulting in partial thickness burns. If enough body-surface area is affected, this is – in itself – an emergency, but consideration must also be given to the circumstances the patient was found in What is their hydration status, additional injuries, mentation, etc.?
Another common burn (especially in the summer) is chemical burn. Many inexperienced pool owners will burn themselves with their chlorine. Typically, this is a superficial burn that is localized to the hands or the arms. Occasionally, providers can see some airway involvement as pool chlorine is often provided in a tablet or powder form that can be inhaled unintentionally.
The first step with any burn is to stop the burning process. Put out the fire, cool the patient, protect or remove them from the sun, clear eyes or flush skin of chemicals, etc. Keep body parts that should be dry, clean and dry, and parts that should be wet, clean and wet.
What has been your most off-the-wall burn experience?
(Photo By: Greg Binnie; Published by: Dani-Elle Dubé, Global News, 2017)
