Burns range from minor to life-threatening and are graded by depth. A first-degree burn affects only the outer skin and causes redness, a second-degree burn involves deeper layers with blisters, and a third-degree burn destroys all skin layers and may appear white or charred; medical help should be sought for second- and third-degree burns. To treat a minor burn, cool the area under running cool water for at least \(20\) minutes, remove any jewelry or tight clothing before swelling sets in, cover it loosely with a sterile non-stick dressing, and avoid applying creams or breaking blisters.
Musculoskeletal injuries such as sprains and strains respond well to the RICE protocol: Rest the injured area, apply Ice for \(20\) minutes every \(2\) hours, Compress with an elastic bandage, and Elevate the limb above heart level. Suspected fractures should be treated with caution; their signs include pain, swelling, deformity, bruising, inability to use the limb, a grating sensation, or unnatural movement, and if there is any doubt the injury should be managed as a fracture. Immobilization involves supporting the joint above and below the injury with a rigid splint or sling, applying ice, elevating when possible, and arranging transport to medical care. An arm sling is made by folding a triangular bandage into a band, placing it over the arm with the elbow bent at \(90\) degrees, tying it at the neck, and securing the forearm across the body.
Specific wounds require tailored care. For an embedded object in a wound, the object should not be removed; instead, bulky dressings should be built up around it, pressure applied beside rather than on the object, and urgent medical help arranged. A scalp laceration tends to bleed profusely, so firm pressure should be applied to control bleeding, the area cleaned gently if minor, a dressing placed over it, and concussion signs monitored. Concussion itself presents with headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, unequal pupils, or loss of consciousness and requires medical evaluation. Eye injuries are equally delicate: a foreign object should not be rubbed out but instead irrigated with clean water or saline from the inner to the outer corner, both eyes covered loosely, and medical help sought. Chemical eye exposure demands continuous flushing with water or saline for at least \(20\) minutes while the eyelids are held open before urgent medical care.