CPR/AED and First Aid Combo Course Online

Burns are injuries to the skin—the body’s largest organ—and the way you treat them depends on how deep the damage goes. They can happen for all sorts of reasons, including

• Fire
• Hot liquids
• Chemicals
• Faulty appliances
• Motor vehicle accidents

You’ll also see electrical burns and common kitchen accidents, like touching a hot stove or boiling water.

Symptoms can range from mild to severe. A person might have swelling, blisters, pain, or numbness. The skin may peel or ooze fluid. In more serious cases, the person may go into shock or have trouble breathing. Depending on the severity, the skin could look red, white, or even charred.

There are three levels of burns to know.

• A first-degree burn only affects the outer skin layer and usually causes light pain, swelling, and redness.
• A second-degree burn reaches deeper and often includes blisters along with pain and swelling.
• A third-degree burn is the most serious. It can destroy tissue, and the skin may appear black or white or feel completely numb.