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NHS shares warning to Brits over common Pancake Day issue

NHS shares warning to Brits over common Pancake Day issue

The NHS has issued advice to those celebrating Pancake Day

Pancake Day is upon us, and some may argue that it's a more important date than Valentine's Day in the calendar.

It's literally a whole day dedicated to stuffing your face with a delicious sweet breakfast food, after all.

Also known as Shrove Tuesday, Pancake Day traditionally celebrates the last day before Lent, where people would feast before 40 days of fasting in the lead up to Easter.

Now, it's celebrated as a day to eat as many pancakes as humanly possible... at least that's how I celebrate it.

However, with many pancakes come great responsibility - or whatever the saying is.

The NHS has been quick to warn the public over their Pancake Day celebrations about a common health issue that arises on this special day.

The NHS has sent a health warning out to those celebrating Pancake day.
Getty Stock Photo

It tweeted a warning out, saying: "Be careful when flipping those pancakes! Visits to the NHS website’s advice on burns and scalds increase on #PancakeDay."

And it's a good point they raise, as cooking pancakes on the hob could potentially cause burns if you aren't careful around the kitchen.

The health body also added a link which brings you to its 'Burns and Scalds' page, where it has provided a guide on how to identify and treat any burns or scalds, as well as when to go to A&E.

How to identify burns or scalds

If you feel like you may have been burned or scalded, search the area for red or peeling skin, blisters, swelling, or white or charred skin.

These are all tell-tale signs of the injury.

Burns can be very serious, even if they are painless.
Leon Neal/Getty Images

How to treat burns and scalds

To treat it, get away from the heat source to stop the burning and remove any clothing or jewellery near the area, but not anything stuck to the skin.

Cool the area with cool or lukewarm water for 20 to 30 minutes, but it's important that you do not use ice, iced water, or greasy substances like butter.

Once it is cooled, put cling film over it or a clear plastic bag.

Raise the area if you can to reduce swelling and take some painkillers if needed.

If it's an acid or chemical induced burn, immediately call 999 and try to remove the chemical and any contaminated clothing while rinsing the area with water.

When to go to A&E

Most minor burns can be treated at home, just keep the area clean and do not burst any blisters, as tempting as that may be.

You should go to an A&E department if you have any chemical and electrical burns, or any large or deep burns bigger than the person's hand.

White or charred skin that is caused by the burn of any size should be checked, as should any burns on the neck, face, hands, feet, any joint or genitals.

For more information, visit the NHS page for burns and scalds here.

Featured Image Credit: Getty Stock Photo/Leon Neal/Getty Images

Topics: Health, NHS, UK News