🔥 Men's Health
Burns: First Aid in Nigeria
What to do immediately after a burn — and what NOT to do
Burns are among the most common household emergencies in Nigeria — from cooking fires, kerosene stoves, hot water, electrical sources, and generator-related incidents. Good first aid in the first 30 minutes dramatically improves outcomes. Poor first aid — applying toothpaste, egg, butter, or ice — dramatically worsens outcomes. This guide covers what to do (and critically, what not to do) for burns in Nigeria.
Signs and Symptoms
✓ First degree (superficial): redness, pain, dry skin (like sunburn). Only the outer skin layer affected.
✓ Second degree (partial thickness): blisters, wet surface, intense pain, redness and swelling. Dermis involved.
✓ Third degree (full thickness): white, brown, or black leathery skin; often painless (nerve destruction); always requires hospital.
✓ Chemical burn: ongoing burning sensation; skin changes from the chemical; may look less severe than it is initially.
✓ Electrical burn: entry and exit wounds; may have minimal visible skin damage but extensive internal injury.
When to Seek Help
Burns larger than the palm of the hand in an adultGo to hospital.
Any burn on the face, hands, feet, genitals, or jointsThese areas require specialist burn management — go to hospital.
Any burn in a child under 5 or an elderly personHospital assessment — burns are more severe in these groups.
Third degree burns (white, brown, or black leathery skin)Always hospital — immediately.
Electrical burnsAlways hospital — extensive internal injury can occur with minimal surface damage.
Circumferential burns (burn all around a limb)Emergency — can cut off circulation.
Tests & Diagnosis
🧪 Assessment of burn size (Rule of Nines)
Body surface area is divided: head 9%, each arm 9%, chest 9%, abdomen 9%, each back area 9%, each leg 18%, perineum 1%. Burns over 20% body surface area in adults, 15% in children, require IV fluid resuscitation.
🧪 Blood tests: FBC, U&E, glucose, LFTs
For large burns — assess fluid status and organ function.
🧪 Urine output monitoring
Target 0.5 ml/kg/hr in adults — guides fluid resuscitation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I not put toothpaste on a burn?
Toothpaste traps heat in the burn wound (preventing the crucial cooling effect), introduces bacteria from the toothpaste, and creates a layer that prevents nurses and doctors from properly assessing the depth of the burn at hospital. Despite being widely practiced in Nigeria, it actively worsens burn outcomes. Cool water is the correct response.
How do I know if a burn needs hospital?
Use the PALM rule: Palm of your hand represents approximately 1% body surface area. Burns covering more than 1 palm in children or 3 palms in adults need hospital. Always go for: face, hands, feet, genitals, joints, circumferential burns, electrical burns, chemical burns, and full thickness burns.
What should I do for a child who has been scalded by hot water?
Cool immediately with cool running water for 20 minutes — do not use cold water. Remove any clothing that is not stuck. Take to hospital promptly. Scalds in children are often more serious than they appear. Do not apply any home remedies.
How are chemical burns different from heat burns?
Chemical burns continue to cause damage as long as the chemical is in contact with the skin. The first step is to flush with large amounts of water for 20–30 minutes to dilute and remove the chemical. Wear gloves if possible when helping — the chemical can burn the helper's hands. Go to hospital.
Can I treat a small burn at home?
Small first degree burns (like a minor oven burn or sunburn) covering less than 1% body surface area in a healthy adult can be managed at home: cool with water, cover with a clean dressing, take paracetamol for pain, and keep clean. Any doubt: go to hospital.