Burns are extremely painful and can cause serious health repercussions in extreme cases when burns are more intense or widespread.
If you or someone you know is faced with a third-degree burn, it’s imperative that you get treatment as soon as possible.
Read on to learn why this type of burn is extremely severe and what you can do to treat it so you can be prepared.
What is a Third-Degree Burn?
Burns present themselves in four different degrees, with fourth being the most severe. It’s important to be able to identify what a third-degree burn looks like.
Third-degree burns extend through every layer of skin and are some of the most severe. In many cases, it can cause extreme nerve damage and the patient might not even feel any pain.
Bleeding and a black appearance of the skin are common signs that someone is suffering from a third-degree burn. The skin might also look dry or have a leathery texture.
No matter what type of burn someone has, it’s important to get treatment as soon as possible. The patient needs to be taken care of to reduce shock, get relief of pain, and to reduce the risk of infection.
Each degree of burn requires slightly different types of treatment, so a visit to the local urgent care center or emergency room is the best way to ensure someone gets the correct attention.
Treating Third-Degree Burns
As soon as someone gets burned, they should get medical help immediately unless it’s extremely mild. You should never try to self-treat a third-degree burn and should call 911 immediately.
This degree of a burn can carry a higher risk of complication, and the patient may need to undergo surgery. Try to remove any jewelry or clothing that is located near the area of the burn since the skin will start to swell quickly.
Loosely cover the burned area with lightweight material like a sterile non-stick bandage and then elevate the area above heart level. Check the patient’s pulse rate and keep a close eye on them until medical assistance arrives.
In some cases, patients could suffer from hypothermia, blood loss, or get a dangerous bacterial infection. Medical treatment for third-degree burns is often ongoing and requires rehabilitation in order to recover.
Severe or extreme instances of third-degree burns can even be fatal. Never attempt to treat severe burns yourself and always call for help as soon as the victim is safely away from the source of the fire.
Practice Proper Burn Care
Whether it’s from cooking, a house fire, or other serious situation, third-degree burns should never go untreated. Call 911 or take the patient to your nearest urgent care center if they can be transported there safely.
If these burns go ignored, the victim could suffer serious health issues. Clear the burned area and get professional medical attention as soon as possible.
If you need urgent care, visit us today or contact us for more information so we can help you get the treatment you need.