Burn - जलन ( पोलेको ) || Primary management

Why This Matters in Nepal:

Burn injuries are a major public health issue in Nepal:

• Around 55,000 burn cases occur yearly
• About 2,100 deaths annually
• Most burns happen at home (kitchen)

Common causes:
🔥 Open fire & LPG accidents
🍲 Hot liquids (especially in children)
🧕 Loose clothing catching fire

👉 In rural Nepal, burns contribute to ~5% of disabilities

🧠 Types of Burns:
1st Degree → Red, painful (like sunburn)
2nd Degree → Blisters, swelling
3rd Degree → Deep damage, emergency 🚨

🏠 Primary Home Management:
❄️ Step 1: Cool the Burn :
- Put under cool running water (10–20 mins)
- Use clean tap water (important in Nepal context)

🚫 Avoid: Ice, Very cold water

🧼 Step 2: Clean the Area
- Gently wash with clean water + mild soap
- Prevents infection (very important in rural areas)

🩹 Step 3: Cover Properly
Use: Clean cloth OR sterile gauze
Keep it: Loose (not tight)

🚫 Step 4: Avoid Traditional Mistakes (Very Common in Nepal)

❌ Do NOT apply:  Toothpaste, Oil / butter / ghee, Mud / ash

👉 These increase infection risk significantly

💊 Step 5: Pain Relief
- Use Paracetamol Or Ibuprofen

💧 Step 6: Hydration
- Drink fluids (if feasible ORS /Jeevan jal) (especially important in larger burns)

⚠️ When to Go Hospital (Don’t Delay 🚨)
- Burn is deep or large
- Face / hands / genitals affected
- Electrical or chemical burn
- Signs of infection (pus, fever)

👉 Delay in reaching hospital is common in Nepal and increases complications

🛡️ Prevention Tips (Nepal-Specific)
- Use safe LPG handling
- Avoid loose clothes while cooking
- Keep children away from kitchen
- Improve kitchen ventilation
- Avoid open fire when possible