Question
During the cooking process, the hot water bottle was accidentally broken, causing hot water to splash onto the baby, resulting in multiple red blisters on the hands and legs. How should first aid be administered in this situation?
Answer
Burns are typically categorized into three degrees. First-degree burns only damage the superficial layer of the skin, resulting in localized mild swelling without blisters and significant pain. Second-degree burns involve skin damage, localized swelling and pain, and are accompanied by blisters of varying sizes. Third-degree burns extend to the subcutaneous tissue, fat, muscle, and even bone, appearing grayish or reddish-brown. Based on the description, this situation is a shallow second-degree burn. It is essential to immediately place the injured area under cold water to alleviate the heat damage. After cleaning and disinfecting, apply burn ointment for treatment.