Burn treatment in the bush

[rik_uk3]

The trust stopped us using Betadine about four ago.

Back on topic, for burns, water, water, water and seek professional help asap if needed. No need for any lotions or potions in the UK, we are never far from proper treatment.

 

[Shewie]

Back on topic, for burns, water, water, water and seek professional help asap if needed. No need for any lotions or potions in the UK, we are never far from proper treatment.

That is the case for the car campers among us but what if you're on a week long trip up a sea loch in the northwest of Scotland for instance, if you don't want to cut it short to seek medical attention I'm trying to find out the alternatives.

 

[John Fenna]

Having a thought about this actually, and the issues of cooling, infection, allergy and so on.
The British Navy of the past used vinegar for all of the burns, scrapes, blisters, etc., even for soaking the suture threads.
They didn't use alcohol because that was drinkable.
Just wondering, but....is a bottle of Sarson's a good idea in the camp ?

The is a higher chance of there being lots af alcohol on site anyway
But you will not get me to part with a good whisky just to stop some clumsy beggars arm from rotting off - get them to the blummin hospital!

 

[Ex member - Bilgerat]

That is the case for the car campers among us but what if you're on a week long trip up a sea loch in the northwest of Scotland for instance, if you don't want to cut it short to seek medical attention I'm trying to find out the alternatives.

Strewth man..... There are none......... If you need medical help fer a burn you need to get yerself or them to a medical unit......

All the questions in the world will not find what you are hoping for.... Word....

 

[Shewie]

Strewth man..... There are none......... If you need medical help fer a burn you need to get yerself or them to a medical unit......

All the questions in the world will not find what you are hoping for.... Word....

Chill your boots, forums are for asking questions and not getting drivel back

Wind it in

 

[Ex member - Bilgerat]

Chill your boots, forums are for asking questions and not getting drivel back

Wind it in

Wind the drivel in yersel......

You don't seem to want to know the truth.... Man..... You try peoples patience...

Johns reply should have been enough but oh no.....

 

[Ronnie]

My family always use liberal slatherings of aloe vera gel on burns to remarkable effect. I've treated a couple of burns which I thought were going to heal really slowly this way and been good as new save a little erythema within 24 hours.

Anecdotal I know but there are research papers which atest to it's efficacy even on 2nd degree burns. I'm mobile so can't link, but I have posted them on another thread. I'll have a chat with my A&E counterpart next time I see her and report back.

 

[Shewie]

Wind the drivel in yersel......

You don't seem to want to know the truth.... Man..... You try peoples patience...

Johns reply should have been enough but oh no.....

Another one for the ignore list

 

[Ex member - Bilgerat]

Looks like some people will remain ignorant....

 

[Shewie]

Just sliced 6" strip of cling film off the roll and wrapped it round a piece of cardboard, it slots in nicely into the back of my FAK.

Where can I pick up these burn gels, anybody bought some recently?

The bladderwrack is a useful one to know as we usually end up on sea lochs on our trips, I can't say I've ever really noticed any on the west coast of Scotland but I've never really looked for it before.

I've dug out my collapsible bowl again and I'll put it back in my wannigan, it should come in handy for bathing in cold water.

I've never had a bad burn, just those little annoying ones. It's something I've though about before though so I've updated my FAK and got a few things to look out for.

 

[rik_uk3]

That is the case for the car campers among us but what if you're on a week long trip up a sea loch in the northwest of Scotland for instance, if you don't want to cut it short to seek medical attention I'm trying to find out the alternatives.

You have two real options, stay where you are and run the risk of infection or go and get the burn looked at, choice is yours. Dressing the wound with non sterile clingfilm is very much a temporary measure used while you make your way to the professionals.

 

[Ex member - Bilgerat]

Bout the only one I would use....

And have issued to my teams.....

http://www.amazon.com/Water-Jel-Burn-Pain-Relief/dp/B0006GE5N6

Note.... First Aid use only..... Please bear in mind this is not recommend to be included in the "First Aid Kits" as the temptation is to use this instead of Water....

For Casualty recover to a Medical unit only to ease pain......

The Only things that should be in First Aid Kits are Dressings and Bandages.... Oh and Safety Pins....

Tho other "Emergency equipment" can be placed in as required fer Specialist Circumstances...

Usual termed "Medical Kit".....

 

[Ex member - Bilgerat]

And whilst we are on the subject...

Hydrofluoric Acid Burns...... Not really one that will be of concern to Bushcrafters in the wild however a special note is probably worthwhile here.

Melted Brake hoses and other melted Hydraulic hoses are the most common source for this type of burn...

Common in using old car parts containg brake fluid to light fires....

(Brake fluid is better and more toxic) than petrol fer flames....

A burn of this sort will keep on burning full thickness down and into the bone, adding Water will not treat this or retard the burn...

calcium gluconate gel or For digital burns, if calcium gluconate gel is not available, the fingers may be soaked in magnesium hydroxide–containing antacid preparations (eg, Mylanta) en route to a medical facility.....

Only use Rubber from tyres or inner-tubes fer tinder......

 

[Ronnie]

Point 1
I routinely take myself and family to locations with only sea access which are more than three hours away from the local Level 2 Hospital A&E, and a further 2 hours from there to the local Level 3 Hospital A&E by blue light ambulance. This journey includes a boat trip, and sometimes the boatmen isn't available, or it's blowing a gale. The only option is to call out the lifeboat, or air extraction. For a serious burn that's a given. For a minor burn, I'm not sure ambulance control would allocate their resources that way. For more serious injuries, it would be prudent given an appropriate level of medical knowledge to attempt self-treatment while waiting for the arrival of paramedical services.

Point 2
Hospital A&E's are quite busy enough without every single person who suffers a minor burn turning up at their door.

Point 3
Many people on here are medical professionals, or have extensive first aid experience. At the end of the day any individual can make a choice as to when and how to seek medical treatment for themselves, and whether self-treatment is a viable option for them. They need to judge whether trip to casualty for a minor injury is the best use of their time, and the time of their local hospital emergency service. At the end of the day, every competent adult takes responsibility for their own actions and health.

 

[Scots_Charles_River]

I thought there'd be a few suggestions of plants but it seems that's not the case, just good old cold water.

I guess I was referring to burns occurring round a regular camp, just small stuff really. Finger burns from picking something up which you shouldn't have, a singed arm or hand from rearranging a trivet or clumsily lifting a griddle incorrectly.

I was expecting somebody to say honey, sphagnum and spit mashed up on a rock

Witch Hazel gel works well on wasp stings and small light burns, like if you touched a hot kettle lid. As long as the skins not broken.
I have one in my bumbag, when travelling.

http://www.superdrug.com/first-aid/witch-doctor-gel-35g/invt/69732/

Nick

 

[hoppinmad]

Hi,
The new British Standards Institute [BS-8599-1:2011] first aid kits now include burn relief dreesings

 

[Ex member - Bilgerat]

I think Scots has a valid point which can be missed....

A minor burn.... OK. Big deal... I dont think we are too concerned wiv those...
However Skin Broken or as a Burn takes of skin layers....

The Skin is a good natural barrier and yerself heals its self more or less wiv minor things...

Wiv yer skin missing thats when infection can happen very quickly... Hence cover up wiv an impermeable membrane.... Clingfilm...


Hoppinmad.... Good to know that FA Kit can now include those dressings...

 

[BoonDoc]

Point 1
I routinely take myself and family to locations with only sea access which are more than three hours away from the local Level 2 Hospital A&E, and a further 2 hours from there to the local Level 3 Hospital A&E by blue light ambulance. This journey includes a boat trip, and sometimes the boatmen isn't available, or it's blowing a gale. The only option is to call out the lifeboat, or air extraction. For a serious burn that's a given. For a minor burn, I'm not sure ambulance control would allocate their resources that way. For more serious injuries, it would be prudent given an appropriate level of medical knowledge to attempt self-treatment while waiting for the arrival of paramedical services.

Point 2
Hospital A&E's are quite busy enough without every single person who suffers a minor burn turning up at their door.

Point 3
Many people on here are medical professionals, or have extensive first aid experience. At the end of the day any individual can make a choice as to when and how to seek medical treatment for themselves, and whether self-treatment is a viable option for them. They need to judge whether trip to casualty for a minor injury is the best use of their time, and the time of their local hospital emergency service. At the end of the day, every competent adult takes responsibility for their own actions and health.

Very well put, Ronnie.

There is no reason to clog up the A&E departments with injuries that can be treated at home with just a little bit of training.

I have worked for years in the A&E in various places and have been amazed at what minor injuries people would bring into the hospital. We used to call them "GOMERS" which stood for "Get Out Of My ER".

Everyone should have a few days of medical training which gives them just enough common sense to be able to treat minor injuries and know when to evacuate to hospital.

 

[ged]

...Everyone should have a few days of medical training ...

Agreed.

... which gives them just enough common sense ...

In my experience that's asking a lot.

I think if you ask most medics they'd rather have the triage nurse put you in the queue at A&E than have to admit someone suffering from the results of poor treatment to what would otherwise have been a minor injury.

 

[Elines]

Thanks for the comments on types of gel and what to do in the absence of a tap.

In following the link about the new regs I ended up on the St John's Ambulance site and their advice page http://www.sja.org.uk/sja/first-aid-advice/effects-of-heat-and-cold/burns-and-scalds.aspx says

"Start cooling the burn immediately under running water for at least 10 minutes" ie no mention of gels etc


BUT in their shop http://www.stjohnsupplies.co.uk/ they sell:

"Burnblott
Instant relief for minor burns and scalds.
This is far more effective than cold water and can be used on burns, scalds and sunburn. The sachet of burn gel moisturises, cools and soothes the burn, minimising the trauma and helping prevent infection.Size: 3.5ml (1/8 oz)"

and costs 54p per sachet (don't get too excited the P&P are horrendous). And they also sell:

"Burnshield burn dressings

Sterile trauma burn dressings. Easy to apply. Individually packaged. Open cell foam dressing impregnated with hydrogel.

PK10 Instant relief for minor burns and scalds.

This is far more effective than cold water and can be used on burns, scalds and sunburn. The sachet of burn gel moisturises, cools and soothes the burn, minimising the trauma and helping prevent infection.

Size: 3.5ml (1/8 oz)" £4.80 for a pack of 10

and .....

"Burnshield dressings


Burnshield dressings come in three different sizes and each contain the specially formulated Hydrogel which is non toxic and non irritant. The dressings have the tremendous ability to absorb and dissipate heat from the burn,providing relief, minimising shock and skin damage, halting the burn process and physically protecting against further contamination.Suitable for finger burns
Suitable for:

• EMS
• Fire
• NHS
• Industry and retail.

Material: Open cell foam designed to hold gel in place and allow for heat dissipation.
Active: Impregnated with Burnshield Hydrogel.
Application: Dress the majority of most common burn areas."

Price:£2.70 for 10cm x 10cm or £8.10 for 20cm x 20cm

I guess these are equivalent to TBL''s Sterikool.

To me these products look like the sort of thing that could form part of a FAK for us. Main problem seems to be that the P&P charges are prohibitive - £10 for both St John's Ambulance and the sterikool people so far as I can tell.