Most homes cook in large quantities over the weekend and innocent children were allowed to play in the kitchen or area where the cooking was done. Invariably a number of children fell into cooking pots, had huge volumes of soup pour on them and many other unimaginable things. It was sad, frightening and yet annoying but you needed to work fast to save lives. Burns are one of the commonest household injuries especially for children.

The kitchen or cooking area is not an extension of a child’s play zone. Avoid it!!!

A burn is damage to the skin or deeper tissues caused by sun, hot liquids, extreme cold, fire, electricity, friction, radiation or chemicals. You can tell from this list that you should never pour cold water on a burn from hot water, you may end up worsening the situation. Double Burns!

TYPES OF BURNS

A First-Degree burn usually involves the outermost layer of skin while a Second-Degree burn is deeper, very red, blistered and extremely painful. A Third-Degree burn as you can imagine is very serious and involves all layers of the skin and can cause permanent damage. You definitely need a healthcare professional to handle this.

FIRST AID

It is highly recommended that you stop the burning process by pouring cool (not cold or ice) water over the affected area for about 15 minutes or till pain sensation reduces significantly. This even applies to chemical burns. Then loosely wrap the affected area with a clean cloth or a sterile bandage. Then you may take a painkiller and seek medical care where necessary. Let us avoid the practice of applying concoctions such as honey with tomatoes, garlic, eggs and other ingredients that eventually create a buffet over the burn. THESE CONCOCTIONS WORSEN the outcome and you will have caused more damage.

PREVENTION

Accidents do happen but we can reduce our risk by following these steps and many more

• While cooking, keep pot handles inward i.e. away from the front of the stove or coal-pot or whatever you are using
• Use back burners to cook
• Remove lids carefully to prevent steam burns
• Avoid clutter in the kitchen that could cause you to trip and fall
• Do not leave cooking unattended
• No children in cooking area
• Avoid areas with risk of burn when you feel dizzy etc.
• As much as possible do not use heating coils to boil water, if you should stay close by to avoid creating a fire
• Always run cold water when bathing before you run the hot
• Do not touch hot objects with your bare hands; you could get a rude awakening
• Do not keep chemicals where they could easily spill
• Check electrical wiring (by a professional) whenever there are tears, sparks or explosions
• Do not overload electrical power-points
• Keep matches and lighters away from children (and smoking adults beware)
• Be careful how long (and hot) you microwave food and drinks

This is only a peek into burns and we will re-visit it occasionally. For this week if you feel a burning sensation while you urinate or a burning sensation in your chest after a meal we will ask you to be patient and seek medical care now. We will soon address your concerns as well.

AS ALWAYS LAUGH OFTEN, WALK AND PRAY EVERYDAY AND REMEMBER IT’S A PRICELESS GIFT TO KNOW YOUR NUMBERS (blood sugar, blood pressure, blood cholesterol, BMI)

Source:

Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel

Health Essentials/Mobissel/St Andrews Clinic

dressel@healthessentialsgh.com

www.healthessentialsgh.com

*Dr. Kojo Essel is a medical doctor, holds an MBA and is ISSA certified in exercise therapy, fitness nutrition and corrective exercise.

Thought for the week – “Join MARCH MARCH on 2^nd March 2019 to raise Awareness about BLOOD DONATION!! Together we can save lives. Walk, Learn, Play, Screen and donate Blood. Start Time is 5.30am at the Ayi Mensah Police Station and we end at Peduase.”

References:

• Radias Health/Safety
• Kidshealth.org