NHS issues Pancake Day warning as ‘burn and scalding’ searches surge 66%

DELICIOUS though they are, whipping up a batch of pancakes can often be a faff and many of us choose to buy them rather than make them.

You might one of the many Brits making an exception in honour of Pancake Day.

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Whether you like them savoury or sweet, the NHS has warned that your pancakes may also come with a side of burns.

“Be careful when flipping those pancakes!” it warned in a post to X, formerly Twitter.

“Visits to the NHS website’s advice on burns and scalds increase on Pancake Day.”

Not surprising, seeing as many of us only attempt to make the sweet treats one day each year.

The NHS last year revealed that searches for burns and scalds tend to surge by about 66 per cent on Pancake Day.

Figures from 2020 and 2021 showed searches increased from a daily average of  3,200 to 5,300.

If you’re unlucky enough to singe yourself when flipping a pancake or buttering your pan, here’s how to care for your burn and when to seek help for it.

What to do if you burn or scald yourself

Firstly, let’s tackle the difference between a burn and a scald.

A burn is caused by dry heat – like a hot pan or fire – while a scald is caused by something wet, like boiling water or steam.

Aside from the stinging pain, you’ll know you’ve burnt yourself if:

• Your skin is read and peeling
• You’ve broken out in blisters
• There’s swelling
• Your skin looks charred or white

But the NHS noted that a very serious burn might not always cause you a lot of pain.

Here’s how to treat a burn:

1. Immediately get the person away from the heat source to stop the burning
2. Remove any clothing or jewellery that’s near the burnt area of skin, including babies’ nappies – but do not move anything that’s stuck to the skin
3. Cool the burn with cool or lukewarm running water for 20 to 30 minutes – do not use ice, iced water, or any creams or greasy substances like butter
4. Make sure the person keeps warm by using a blanket, for example, but take care not to rub it against the burnt area
5. After cooling the burn, cover the burn by placing a layer of cling film over it – a clean plastic bag could also be used for burns on your hand
6. Use painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen to treat any pain
7. Raise the affected area if possible – this helps to reduce swelling

When should I get medical attention for a burn?

Some burns can be treated at home if they’re not serious.

Make sure to keep minor burns clean and resist the temptation of bursting blisters that form.

But once you’ve taken the steps above, this is when you can decide if you need further medical treatment.

Go to A&E if someone has:

• Large burns bigger than the size of their hand
• Deep burns of any size with white or charred skin
• Burns on the face, neck, hands, feet, any joints, or genitals
• Chemical and electrical burns
• Any other injuries that need treating
• Any signs of shock – symptoms include cold, clammy skin, sweating, rapid, shallow breathing, and weakness or dizziness

You should definitely go to hospital if a child under 10 has sustained burns or the affected person medical condition, such as heart, lung or liver disease, or diabetes or a weakened immune system.