How to Treat a Partial Thickness Burn

A partial thickness burn--also known as a second-degree burn--is a burn that affects the top two layers of skin, the epidermis and the hypodermis. A partial thickness burn will appear very red and develop burn blisters. Serious burns like these should be treated by a medical professional because they are more likely to develop infection or other complications. You can administer first aid to your partial thickness burn before you seek medical treatment.

Things You'll Need

• Cool running water
• Clean cloths
• Bandages
• Aloe vera
• Burn cream
• Over-the-counter pain medication

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Instructions

• 1

  Move away from the source of the partial thickness burn. This may sound obvious but many people forget to do so in the shock from the burn.

• 2

  Flush the burned area with cool running water for about 15 minutes and pat dry with a clean cloth. Do not break any burn blisters that may appear.

• 3

  Soak a clean cloth in cool water and wring out until it is slightly damp. Fold into an appropriate sized compress and apply to the burned area to help relieve some of the immediate sting. Consider taking an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as acetaminophen, to reduce pain and swelling symptoms.

• 4

  Apply ointment, such as burn cream or aloe vera to keep the burned area moisturized. Using a nonstick bandage or a sterile cloth, loosely wrap the burn injury. This protects the burn injury from bacteria, dirt or irritation.

• 5

  Have the burn injury evaluated by a medical professional. A partial thickness burn is a more serious than a superficial burn. Your health care provider can tell you if the bandage you have applied is enough or if you need further treatment, including surgery. If you are in severe pain, your health care provider can also prescribe stronger painkillers.