Know How to Treat the Various Types of Burn

All burns are not created equally. An individual can suffer from a chemical burn, a thermal burn, an electrical burn, or a radiological burn. Each type of burn must be treated appropriately – not all burns should be treated the same way and in some cases, attempting to treat a burn incorrectly can result in a worsened injury for the victim. Burns can happen as a result of a variety of workplace accident types. If you have been burned and suffered significant losses as a result of an accident that occurred in your workplace, contact an experienced workplace injury attorney to discuss the possibility of seeking compensation through a workplace injury claim.

The most common type of burn, thermal burns, occur when the body is exposed to intense heat. Touching very hot metals or surfaces, being exposed to flashes of heat energy in an explosion, exposure to open flames, and contact with boiling liquids can all result in thermal burns. This type of burn may be treated with a cool compress or cool water, followed by covering with a sterile, non-adhesive bandage. Seek medical attention for burns that appear to become infected or if the pain does not subsist after a few hours. Do not apply ointments to this type of burn.

Chemical burns are burns caused by exposure to strong acids or alkali substances. These continue to damage the skin and tissue until they are inactivated. This type of burn should be addressed as soon as possible after it is discovered because it can continue to burn until medical intervention is applied.

When the body is exposed to AC or DC electrical current, it can suffer from electrical burns. Electrical burns are essentially high-heat thermal burns, but they must not be treated with water like other types of thermal burns. Instead, move the victim away from the electrical source with a wooden object and get him or her to a dry, non-conductive surface. Do not touch him or her with your hands. Once he or she is away from the electrical source, check if he or she is respondent. If not, start CPR or call a party who can. The victim could need emergency medical intervention.

Radiological burns are caused by exposure to radiation. The most common type of radiological burn is sunburn, which is caused by excessive exposure to UV radiation. In severe cases, a patient can suffer from infection if his or her burn is not treated promptly. For radiation burns, wet dressings are not recommended. Instead, compressing the burn with a clean, dry dressing is best, followed by systemic antimicrobial therapy.

If you have been burned in an accident in your workplace, you could be facing long-lasting or permanent physical deformities and disability. These can lead to significant expenses, such as medical bills and the need for disability aids. If you have suffered from any type of burn as a result of a workplace accident, you could be entitled to monetary compensation for your losses. Learn more about seeking monetary compensation from an experienced San Jose workplace injury attorney at Corsiglia McMahon & Allard, L.L.P. today.

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• Thermal Burns Treatment