4 Ways to Treat Third-Degree Burns

1. Act Quickly and Treat Immediately

It is critical to identify third-degree burns quickly so the proper treatment can be initiated at once. If you see a serious situation, such as someone rolling on the ground to put out a fire on her clothing, or someone coming out of a burning building, the possibility of third-degree burns is high. Call for emergency medical assistance as soon as possible.

Look for signs of shock such as anxiety, confusion, shallow breathing or unconsciousness and treat immediately. If the victim is unconscious, but still breathing, maintain an open airway by tilting his head slightly backward. Watch closely for any indication of breathing distress. It may become necessary to perform CPR if the victim becomes unresponsive. If the victim is alert, provide reassurance to help keep him calm. It is critical to keep the injured person still to reduce the amount of additional stress on the circulatory system.

2. Be Alert for Chemical Burns

For chemical burns, special action must be taken to prevent the burn from spreading. If the chemical is a powdery substance, brush as much off as possible without becoming contaminated in doing so. Move the victim away from the contaminant, if this can be done safely. Then, run cool water over the burn site for a minimum of 20 minutes. Carefully pat the area dry and cover it loosely with a sterile cloth to keep it clean until the victim can be taken to the hospital. Third-degree burns must be treated with antibiotics to reduce the chance of infection and other complications such as pneumonia.

3. Elevate to Reduce Swelling

Third-degree burns from any source are likely to swell rapidly. Remove jewelry and any clothing that is constricting the site, unless it is burned to the skin. Elevate the burn site if it is on an extremity such as the hand, arm, leg or foot. This will reduce the amount of fluid that collects. Since muscle, bone and fat may be affected by the burn, it is critical to stay with the victim and monitor him closely until emergency personnel arrive.

4. Get Hospital Treatment

Once the burn victim is in the hospital, treatment will likely consist of IV antibiotics, cleaning and debridement of the site to remove dead skin and tissue, pain medications and skin grafting if indicated. Special bathtubs are available in the hospital to accommodate burn victims with the specific care that is required to keep the burn site clean.