Burns care

First aid for burns

Stop the burning process

Firstly, consider your own safety:

• If on fire: Stop-drop-roll
• If electrical: Turn off current
• If chemical: Remove the burning agent and irrigate with water

Cool the burn

With running cool water for at least 20 minutes. Useful for up to 3 hours after injury:

• Do not cause hypothermia, keep warm
• Do not use ice.

For all burns and scalds:

• Remove clothing not stuck to the burn site
• Remove all jewellery and watches.

Cover the burn

Use a clean dressing or clingwrap (do not wrap circumferentially). Seek medical assistance.

What to do after a burn

Download a guide to burns for patients and families

How to treat and heal your burn

Elevating your limb

• It is normal for a burn to swell for about 48 hours
• Help reduce or control the swelling by elevating the burned area above the level of your heart.

Cleaning your burn

• We will apply clean dressings to your burn at the burns clinic.
• This will act as a barrier to help prevent germs from entering your wound.
• You can help reduce the risk of infection by keeping the dressings clean and dry.

Exercising with a burn

• Exercise should be limited.
• Please discuss with the burns staff treating you about what you can do.
• If your burn is over a joint on your arm or leg, you need to gently bend this joint.
• This movement prevents the joint from stiffening and reduces swelling.

Resting the burned area

• Apart from regular gentle exercise to move your joints, the burned areas should be rested.
• If you continue to use your burnt limb, it can lead to increased swelling and pain.

Pain

Burns are often very painful. You can help reduce this pain by following Steps 1-4 listed under First Aid for Burns.

Please take regular pain killers as prescribed by your doctor and prior to your outpatient department review. Parents please give your child pain relief before attending the outpatients clinic.

Although your child may appear comfortable prior to the dressing change, analgesia will help with the dressing removal process.

Allergies

Please tell the nursing staff if you are allergic to any medications, food or wound care products.

If you are allergic to oranges or any other citrus fruit it is important to let the staff know immediately. The anti-adhesive spray that we use to remove your dressings contains citrus oil.

Burns and Children

Skin acts as a protective barrier against germs and infection. Most burns break the skin which can put your child at risk of developing an infection. The sooner we can identify signs and symptoms, the sooner we can act to prevent complications.

If your child has a temperature above 38°C please contact the Burns Unit without delay or attend the Accident and Emergency Department

Clinics

Burns Outpatient Clinic

Monday-Friday

Royal Hobart Hospital
Level 12, Wellington Clinics
Argyle Street

Phone: 6166 0098

Fax: 6173 0202

Tasmanian Burns Unit

Weekends, Public Holidays and after hours

Royal Hobart Hospital
Orthopaedics and Surgical Specialities
K-Block Level 9 East

Phone: 6166 8565 (this service is also available 24 hours for advice)

Fax: 6173 0202

Launceston General Plastics Department

Specialist Clinics LGH
Phone: 1300 977 694

CONECS Devonport

Mersey-Leven Community Health Nursing and Home Care Service
23 Steele St, Devonport
Phone: 6478 6120

CONECS Burnie

Hellyer Community Nursing
Burnie Community Health Centre
11 Jones Street, Burnie
Phone: 6477 7350