Cold weather increases burn injuries: Expert explains how to treat burns the right way
As the days and nights get colder, the risk of burn injuries rises - common causes include paraffin, gas, hot water, and oil burns.
Picture: Pixabay
702's Gugs Mhlungu spoke to Dr Judey Pretorius, skincare scientist and founder of BioMedical Emporium.
Listen to their conversation in the audio clip below.
As the days and nights get colder, the risk of burn injuries increases with common causes including paraffin, gas, hot water, and oil burns.
According to the World Health Organisation, 3.2% of South Africans sustain burn injuries annually, many of which are preventable.
Pretorius says burns are classified as:
- Superficial (formerly first-degree)
- Partial thickness (formerly second-degree)
- Full thickness (formerly third-degree)
"...once an individual burns, we would typically measure the depth of the burn in the skin..."
- Dr Judey Pretorius, skincare scientist and founder of BioMedical Emporium
For minor burns, Pretorius stresses the importance of moist wound healing.
“Clean the wound with salt water, apply an ointment with ingredients like medicinal honey or zinc, then seal it with gauze and petroleum jelly."
- Dr Judey Pretorius, skincare scientist and founder of BioMedical Emporium
"...when it comes to wound care, my advice is please, please don't interfere too much. Don't clean a wound too much. Just put your ointments on, close it and leave it closed for at least 72 hours."
- Dr Judey Pretorius, skincare scientist and founder of BioMedical Emporium
"If you make sure that you treat that wound, keep it nice and cool with the ointment and close it for three days, I promise you that wound is going to be fine."
- Dr Judey Pretorius, skincare scientist and founder of BioMedical Emporium
She advises against using home remedies as they can irritate the wound even further.
Pretorius adds that if you have experienced a full thickness burn (which occurs when you are exposed to a fire or severe burn for an extended period of time, resulting in significant damage that penetrates deep into your skin), you need to seek medical attention urgently.
She emphasises that proper wound care is essential and that the type of burn determines the treatment.
Scroll up to listen to the full conversation