If you or someone you know gets a burn, quick and correct action can save skin, prevent serious complications, and speed up healing. This guide explains the main causes of burns in Uganda, what to look out for, how they are classified, and what treatment and prevention steps can be taken.
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What Is a Burn?
A burn is damage to the skin and sometimes deeper tissues, caused by heat, chemicals, electricity, or radiation. Burns can range from mild redness to severe destruction of skin, muscles, and even bone.
Common Causes of Burns in Uganda
- Heat (thermal burns): Hot liquids, flames, steam, hot solids, or the sun.
- Chemicals: Acids, alkalis, or other corrosive substances.
- Electricity: Low voltage from domestic wiring, high voltage from power lines, or lightning.
- Radiation: Excessive radiotherapy exposure or radioactive material.
Signs and Symptoms of Burns
- Pain, swelling, and redness.
- Blisters or loss of skin.
- Burned or singed hair.
- In severe cases: shock, reduced urine output, difficulty breathing, confusion, or swelling of the whole body.
- Breathing problems, hoarse voice, or coughing after inhaling smoke — this is a medical emergency.
How Burns Are Classified
By Depth of Injury
| Burn Type | Description | Healing Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Degree (Superficial) | Only the top layer of skin is affected. Redness, tenderness, no blisters. | About 7 days |
| 2nd Degree (Partial Thickness) | Affects deeper skin layers. May have blisters, pink moist skin, or pale areas. | 10–14 days for superficial; over 1 month for deep burns (may need surgery) |
| 3rd Degree (Full Thickness) | All skin layers destroyed. Skin may be stiff, leathery, and painless due to nerve damage. | Needs skin grafting |
| 4th Degree | Extends into muscle, bone, or deeper tissues. Area appears lifeless. | Requires major surgery |
By Body Surface Area Affected (TBSA)
- Minor:
- Adults: less than 15% of body surface.
- Children/Elderly: less than 10%.
- Full thickness burns covering less than 2%.
- Moderate:
- Adults: 15–25% partial thickness burns.
- Children/Elderly: 10–20%.
- Severe (Major):
- Large burns, burns to face, neck, hands, feet, or private areas.
- Burns from chemicals, high voltage electricity, or inhalation injuries.
- Any burns with major injuries elsewhere.
First Aid for Burns in Uganda
Act quickly but calmly:
- Stop the burning process and move away from danger.
- For flames on clothing — roll the person on the ground.
- Switch off electricity before touching someone with an electric burn.
- Cool the burn with clean running water for 20–30 minutes within the first hour.
- Remove tight clothing, jewellery, or rings before swelling begins.
- Cover with a clean, dry cloth.
- Keep the person warm.
When to Seek Medical Care Immediately
- Burns on the face, hands, feet, genitals, or over joints.
- Large or deep burns.
- Burns from chemicals or electricity.
- Breathing difficulty after smoke inhalation.
- Any burn in a child, elderly person, or someone with a chronic illness.
Treatment in Health Facilities
At a clinic or hospital, treatment may include:
- Pain relief (oral or IV medicines).
- Wound cleaning and dressing (often with special burn creams like silver sulphadiazine).
- Fluids to prevent dehydration and shock.
- Tetanus vaccination if not up-to-date.
- Antibiotics if infection is present.
- Surgery for severe cases (skin grafts or removal of dead tissue).
Preventing Burns in Uganda
- Raise cooking stoves to keep them away from children.
- Handle hot water and food carefully.
- Avoid leaving children near open fires, especially those with epilepsy.
- Use enclosed flames like hurricane lamps instead of open candles.
- Be cautious with chemicals and electrical wires.
Key Takeaway: Burns can be life-threatening if not managed quickly. Early first aid, proper medical care, and prevention measures greatly improve recovery and save lives.
