Skin Injuries

Module 7

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Skin Injuries

Topics Skin anatomy Burns Heatstroke and heat exhaustion CS spray injury

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Skin Injuries

Skin Is the largest organ in the body Protect the body from injury and infection Maintain a constant body temperature

Layers of the skin Epidermis – outer layer Dermis – inner layer Subcutaneous fats, nerves, blood vessels,

muscles, and bones

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Skin Injuries

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Skin InjuriesBurns

Types of burns Scald Friction burn Electrical burn Chemical burn Radiation burn

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Skin InjuriesBurns

Objectives To remove heat and relieve pain Maintain open airway Treat associated injuries/shock Minimize risk of infection Transport of casualty to hospital

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Skin InjuriesBurns Depth of Burn

- Superficial

- Partial Thickness

- Full thickness

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Skin InjuriesBurns

Treatment Cool the affected part with water for at least 10

minutes Continue cooling until the pain is relieved. Remove jewelries and clothing on the affected

skin if it is not stuck to it before the injured part swells

Cover to prevent infection Monitor vital signs and treat for shock if any

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Skin InjuriesBurns

Treatment (severe burns) Ensure casualty lie on the ground Burnt area should not be in contact with the ground Urgent removal to hospital

Treatment (burns to airway) Ensure open airway – loosening of clothing

around the neck Give ice or small sips of cold water to reduce

swelling

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Skin InjuriesBurns

Treatment (chemical burns) Wash the burn area with water for 20 mins Remove contaminated clothing before dousing the

burn area. Precaution

Do not remove anything sticking to the burn Do not touch the burn area Do not burst any blisters Do not apply lotions, ointment, fat, or adhesive tapes

to the burnt area Do not neutralize acids and alkali unless trained

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Skin Injuries

Electrocution

Types of Electrical Current Low Voltage – Homes. High Voltage – Power lines, overhead high

tension cable.

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Skin InjuriesElectrocution

High Voltage Current

Signs and Symptoms Fatal Burns Unconscious Fractures – casualty thrown some distance on

contact with current

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Skin InjuriesElectrocution (High Voltage)

Precaution High voltage electricity may move and jump up to 18m. The power must be terminated and isolated before

approaching. Maintain safe distance for spectators

Treatment Unconscious – open airway CPR to revive heart and lungs Monitor pulse and respiration every 10 minutes. Seek medical attention

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Skin InjuriesElectrocution

Low Voltage Current

Signs and Symptoms Burns at entry and exit points of the body. Unconscious

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Skin InjuriesElectrocution (Low Voltage)

Precaution DO NOT TOUCH THE PATIENT Break the contact between the casualty and

electrical supply. Switch off Remove the electrical plug at the socket. Remove the cable manually at the unexposed side. Use non conducting material to remove wire.

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Skin InjuriesElectrocution (Low Voltage)

Treatment Unconscious – open airway CPR to revive heart and lungs Treat external injuries Monitor pulse and respiration every ten minutes Seek medical attention

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Skin InjuriesElectrocution

Lightning Electricity discharged from the atmosphere

Outcome Death Fractures Clothing on fire

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Skin InjuriesElectrocution (Lightning)

Treatment Clothing on fire – roll casualty on the floor to kill

fire CPR – to revive heart and lungs Unconscious – maintain clear airway Fracture – immobilise Monitor pulse and respiration every

ten minutes Seek medical attention

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Skin InjuriesFever

Overview Fever is higher-than-normal body temperature

(Normal temperature - 37˚C ) Indicates an abnormal process in the body Fever is a symptom and not a disease.

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Skin InjuriesFever

Causes Hot weather Childhood immunization or adult vaccination Bacterial/viral infection Allergy to medication

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Skin InjuriesFever

Symptoms Hot flushed face Lack of appetite in food Nausea Vomiting Head and body ache Constipation Diarrhea

High fever can bring about: Delirium or confusion Fits

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Skin InjuriesFever

Treatment Monitor temperature using a thermometer Remove excess clothing Keep the person in a cool place Give a sponge bath in tepid water Give plenty of fluids  Do not wrap the person in blankets / warm

clothing Seek medical attention

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Skin Injuries

Heat Stroke Failure of the thermostat in the brain, which

regulates body temperature Is a life threatening emergency

Causes High fever Prolonged exposure to heat

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Skin InjuriesHeat Stroke

Signs and symptoms Headache, dizziness, and discomfort Restlessness and confusion Hot, flushed, and dry skin Decrease in level of response Bounding pulse Body temperature above 40 degrees Celsius

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Skin InjuriesHeat Stroke

Treatment Remove the casualty to a cooler place Remove as much of the clothing as possible Wrap the casualty in a cold wet sheet. Keep it wet

till the temperature decrease to 38 degrees Celsius

Once the temp decreases, replace the wet sheet with a dry one

Monitor vital signs It the temperature rises again, repeat the process

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Skin Injuries

Heat Exhaustion Loss of salt and water from the body due to

excessive sweating. It is more common than heat stroke

First aid objective To replace body fluids and salt Decrease temperature if necessary

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Skin InjuriesHeat Exhaustion

Signs and symptoms Headache, dizziness, and confusion Nausea and loss of appetite Hot, flushed, and dry skin Sweating with pale clammy skin Cramps on the legs, arms or abdominal wall Rapid, weakening pulse and breathing

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Skin InjuriesTreatment for heat

exhaustion

(1 teaspoon of salt in 1 liter of water)

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CS Spray (2-chlorobenzalmalononitrile) Solvent spray used by police forces for riot control

and self protection It irritates the eyes and upper airway May cause vomiting Effect wears off in 15 minutes Use on asthma patient, can bring about asthmatic

attack

Skin InjuriesChemical Spray

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Signs and symptoms Tearing Coughing and sneezing Burning sensation in the skin and throat Chest tightness and breathlessness

Skin InjuriesChemical Spray

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Treatment Move to well ventilated area Reassure casualty Prevent casualty rubbing his eyes Fan the eyes to speed up evaporation of

chenicals Seek medical help

Skin InjuriesChemical Spray

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Precaution Washing the eye is not necessary as it may

prolong the irritation Prevent rubbing of the affected eye

Skin InjuriesChemical Spray

The End

Module 7 Skin InjuriesFor training purpose only

Not for sale