With the arrival of winter, the temperature gradually decreased, and everyone took out various heating artifacts. Hot water bottles, baby warmers, electric blankets, etc. have become our right-hand men to ward off the cold. However, these seemingly warm items can be potential culprits. Low-temperature burns, a seemingly inconspicuous problem, actually hide a huge risk.
Cryogenic burns, as the name suggests, refer to damage to skin and other tissues caused by prolonged exposure to a heat source at a lower temperature. This kind of burn is different from the situation of being burned by hot substances such as boiling water and hot oil, which is usually understood by boiling water, hot oil, etc., the scald temperature is relatively low, but the contact time is longer, so that the heat can gradually accumulate and cause deep damage to the skin.
The harm of low-temperature burns should not be underestimated. Not only can it cause redness, pain, breakage, infection, necrosis, ulcers, scarring, etc., but it may also affect joint mobility, sensory function, and even negatively affect mental health. Moreover, because the initial symptoms of low-temperature burns may not be obvious, they can be easily overlooked, resulting in untimely or inadequate treatment, increasing the risk of delayed wound healing and chronic pain in the future.
Which groups of people and scenes are more likely to suffer from low-temperature burns? Mainly concentrated in three types of people and three types of scenes. Special groups such as children with cognitive and expressive insufficiency and low-intelligence groups, elderly people with abnormal perceptual function and patients with impaired nervous system, as well as disabled people with mobility insufficiency and alcoholics are all at high risk of low-temperature burns.
In addition, heating equipment such as hot water bottles, hot compresses, electric blankets, etc., including moxibustion, cupping and infrared lamps, are the main occurrence scenarios of low-temperature burns.
Generally speaking, the area of the low-temperature burn will have persistent mild pain or touch pain, burning sensation, usually no blisters or only small blisters, and the blisters are darker.
So, how to prevent low-temperature burns? Vigilance is key. We need to pay attention to the safe use of heating equipment and heating appliances at all times, and control the appropriate temperature and time. Special attention should be paid to special populations such as children, the elderly, the disabled, and alcoholics, who may have weaker perception and mobility and are more likely to suffer from low-temperature burns.
Once signs of low-temperature scalding are found, corresponding treatment measures should be taken immediately. The heat source should be removed quickly and the affected area should be rinsed with cold running water to lower the skin temperature and prevent the heat from continuing to damage the skin. Subsequently, appropriate wound treatment should be carried out according to the degree of burn, such as applying ointment and dressing. If the burns are serious or you can't handle them on your own, you should seek medical attention and seek help from a medical professional.
Cryogenic burns are a problem that cannot be ignored. When using heating equipment and heating appliances in winter, you should be vigilant and pay attention to safe use. At the same time, more attention and protection should be given to special populations. Through a combination of prevention and treatment, we can effectively reduce the occurrence of low-temperature burns and ensure health safety.