Save Your Skin!

If you do get burned, here's what to do, according to Dr. Philip Fidler, MD, director of the Bridgeport Hospital Burn Center:

• Stop the heat immediately. The faster you cool the burn, the less severe the injury. Flushing with cool water is best, but if necessary, use a cold non-alcoholic beverage. Don't use ice, and don't use salt water.
• Remove clothing, rings, belts, shoes, before swelling oocurs.
• For chemical burns, flush the area for 20 minutes with cool water.
• Cover the burn with a sterile dressing or bandaid.
• Elevate the burned limb to relieve swelling and soreness.
• Loss of body heat is a concern with burns covering a large area. Cover the injured person with a dry sheet for warmth.

Here's what NOT to do:

• Do not apply butter, grease, or ointment.
• Do not break blisters.
• Do not remove clothing that sticks to burn. Cut clothing away if necessary.

Get medical help if:

• Burn is second-degree or worse.
• Burn covers more than 5% of your body (even if it is only a first-degree burn).