Question
A young child accidentally knocked over a hot water bottle, resulting in a scald injury on the lower leg. How should a physician perform emergency first aid for the scald?
Answer
When encountering a thermal burn, immediate application of cold water or ice water to the affected area through wet compress or immersion is recommended. This helps to reduce the depth of the burn wound and alleviate pain. In subsequent treatment, it is advisable to avoid applying colored medications (such as mercurial red or purple antiseptic solution) on the wound, as this may affect the assessment of the burn wound depth and cleaning. When performing cooling treatment in cold environments, attention should be given to keeping the patient warm and preventing frostbite. It is suggested to seek further treatment from a regular professional hospital.