Ask Dr. Vieder

What can I do to prevent burns in the kitchen, especially with my kids around?

Scalding water, hot stoves and unsecured electrical plugs are the most common sources of burns within the home, especially with small children. In the kitchen,
never leave a hot stove unattended and make sure to turn pot handles inward so they cannot be pulled down by a child. Never cook over a stove while holding
a small child. Place them safely in a high chair nearby. Do not heat baby bottles in microwaves due to uneven heating and risk of oral burns. Set hot water tank
thermostats to less than 120F and always check water temps with your wrist or elbow. In the bathroom, secure any hot items such as curling irons, clothes irons
and unplug hair dryers to avoid children pulling these items off counter tops resulting in mechanical injury or burn.

If I get a burn, what’s the best way to treat it?

After removing the source of the burn, immerse the burn in cool water or apply a cool compress for 10-15 minutes. Never apply ointments, butter or grease to
a burn as this can lead to infection. Do not apply ice directly to a burn as it can cause additional destruction to the already delicate skin involved. Avoid breaking
any blisters if they form. Once cooling has been completed, dry the area involved and cover the burn with a clean cloth, sterile gauze or non-adhesive bandage.
Over the counter pain medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen are safe to use to help with discomfort. Once the initial burn discomfort has subsided,
you can apply 100% pure aloe gel.

What are the different kinds of burns and when do I know if it’s serious enough to seek medical
attention?

Aside from sunburns, the most common household causes are scalds, contact with hot surfaces, electrical and chemical burns. Burns
are further classifi ed into fi rst, second and third degree based upon the depth and tissue involved in the burn injury. A good rule of
thumb is if blisters develop, the burn is a second-degree burn. Seek medical attention if the burn is second or third degree, is larger
than 3 inches in diameter or involves the face, hands, joint surfaces or genitals, especially in children and the elderly. Also seek medical
attention if the burn looks like it may be infected (swelling, pus or red streaks nearby) or if the source of the burn is from an electrical
plug or wire. The best place to get qualifi ed medical attention for burns is at a certifi ed urgent care like Lakes Urgent Care, your
primary care physician or in hospital emergency department.

For more health information, visit the Ask Dr. Vieder page at LakesUrgentCare.com
Dr. Sanford Vieder, DO, FACEP, FACOEP, Medical Director at Lakes Urgent Care, West Bloomfi eld/Livonia

NOW ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS

Dr. Tassia Samona, a Henry Ford West Bloomfield physician, will be located
at the practice of Lisa Elconin, MD, Amy Goldfaden, M.D., Laurie Katz, M.D.,
William Sulaca, MD, and Maribeth Knight, D.O. who are on staff at Henry Ford
West Bloomfield Hospital.

These physicians specialize in Internal Medicine with the goal of preventing
and managing chronic diseases.

Call 248-406-1000 to schedule an appointment.

Tassia Mekami Samona, M.D.
Internal Medicine
5777 W. Maple Rd., Suite 140
West Bloomfield, MI 48322

To learn more about our physicians, visit henryford.com and click on Doctors.

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November 29 • 2018

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