First aid for a child with burns was given by a traditional healer by applying dog hair to the wound.

On the afternoon of November 5, the Department of Orthopedics and Burns, Nghe An Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital received emergency treatment for patient TA (8 months old, residing in Quynh Luu) who was burned by hot porridge from the chest down to the feet.

According to the family, immediately after the burn, the family gave first aid to the child. Through a neighbor's recommendation, the family took the child to a traditional healer. This healer used animal hair (mostly dog ​​hair) to cover the burn.

Baby TA was treated for burns with dog hair by a herbalist. Photo: BVSNNA

After the "first aid" step of the herbalist, fortunately the family decided to take baby TA to the hospital for intensive treatment.

As soon as the patient was admitted, the doctors of the Orthopedic and Burn Department clearly identified the risk of infection due to the unscientific first aid the child was receiving.

Immediately, Baby TA was urgently transferred to the burn treatment bathtub, bathed in warm water, and had his whole body disinfected... The unscientific patches of animal hair that were used to cover the burn were completely removed from the baby's body by the doctors.

MSc.Dr. Duong Thi Hai Chi - Department of Orthopedics and Burns said:"Baby TA suffered from hot porridge burns covering 32% of his body surface area, second and third degrees. After receiving the patient for emergency treatment, we administered IV fluids, pain relief for the child and transferred him directly to the burn treatment bathroom. All animal hair on the burn wound was cleaned, the bandage was changed and medication was applied to treat the burn wound, to prevent infection. At this time, the baby still had a high fever (39°C). We maintained fever reduction, pain relief, and monitored the baby. Currently, the hospital is focusing on the most standard and scientific methods of treatment and care for burn patients to try to save the baby's life."

Unscientific burn treatment puts baby TA at risk of serious infection. Photo: BVSNNA

Burns are a very common accident in daily life. In fact, not everyone knows how to give first aid when burned. If handled incorrectly, it can increase the depth of the injury, cause dangerous complications, take a lot of time to treat, cost money, and even lead to death.

Ths.BsHai Chi added: "During the treatment process, doctors have encountered many cases of patients being hospitalized with burns in serious condition, even death, due to using incorrect and unscientific methods of treating burns. Among them, the most common first aid mistakes that many people make are: applying fish sauce, toothpaste, eggs, powdered milk on the burned area; applying onions, garlic, grease... In many cases, ice cubes are also used to apply directly to the burn, which makes the damage worse."

To prevent burn accidents most effectively, it is necessary to raise awareness of "prevention is better than cure" from each individual and each family, especially families with children. In addition, we also need to equip ourselves with basic knowledge and skills in first aid and proper treatment of burns to avoid unfortunate consequences./.