Abstract
Introduction: Burn is a disease which results in both the skin changes (burn wound) and systemic changes (burn disease). The burn severity depends on: burn area and burn depth. When applying first aid to a burn casualty, one should pay attention to the circumstances and symptoms that could indicate the burn of upper airway (if the symptoms of airway edema appear, airway obstruction may quickly follow). The symptoms of upper airway edema include: hoarseness (an early symptom of growing edema – ask the casualty if the hoarseness appeared now?) and stridor (a wheezing breath, indicates heavy airway edema, which can cause airway failure and is an immediate life threatening condition). In case of vast burn injuries the casualty may suffer from hypovolemic shock. One should remember that in case of electric shock the risk of circulation failure may appear, that is why every casualty who got electric shock should be taken to hospital. In case of inhalational injury caused by smoke during fire, respiratory system is damaged. It is accompanied by inhalation of carbon dioxide and other gases emerging from the burning process, upper airway damage and edema, lower airway damage. Chemical substances get into airway and cause lungs and internal organs damage. Drowning is a process that results in breathing loss due to sinking or submersion. The first and most important goal while helping after drowning is hypoxia reduction. Immediate and proper active or passive oxygen administration increases the chances to survive. That is why the activities mentioned above should be undertaken as soon as possible (they can be initiated while the casualty is situated in a shallow water, provided that the paramedic’s life is not threatened) Hypothermia is a condition in which the core temperature drops below the required body temperature (36.5°C – 37.5°C).
Keywords: burn, hoarseness, stridor, inhalation, drowning, hypothermia
Type of article: review article