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Treatment Aids for Burns

Prompt treatment of a burn is essential to ensuring that healing occurs without any complications. Basic first aid treatment is the first step in caring for a burn. While minor burns can be treated at home, more serious burns require a visit to the emergency room and possible hospitalization.

  1. Type of Burns

    • Identify the type of burn before beginning first aid treatment. First-degree burns look red and are painful. These burns only affect the top layer of the skin. First-degree burns may become swollen and look white if you gently press on the skin. After a day or two, the skin over the burned area may peel off. Second-degree burns affect both the top layer and underlying layers of skin. In addition to swelling, redness and pain, these burns may also cause blisters. Third-degree burns are deeper burns that penetrate into the tissues of the body. These burns look white or charred. Although these are the most serious type of burns, they may initially cause little pain because nerve endings in the skin have been destroyed.

    First-Degree Burns

    • Treat first-degree burns by soaking the injured area in cool water. According to the Burn Institute, cold water or ice water should not be used on burns because colder water lowers the body temperature and may make the burn worse. Apply an antibiotic ointment or aloe vera cream to the burn and cover it with gauze bandage. Change the bandage every day and apply more antibiotic ointment. Over-the-counter pain medication, such as Motrin, Advil, Aleve or Tylenol, can help reduce pain and swelling. First-degree burns usually heal in a few days to a week.

    Second-Degree Burns

    • Treat a second-degree burn with the same procedures used for a first-degree burn. If a second-degree burn is larger than 3 inches in diameter, it is considered a third-degree burn and treatment guidelines for third-degree burns should be followed. Second-degree burns may be more prone to infection than first-degree burns. Change the bandage every day and check for signs of infection, including swelling, redness, increased pain or pus in the burn. Avoid breaking blisters, as this can lead to infection. A second-degree burn may heal in a few weeks, although the area may sensitive to sunlight for as long as one year.

    Third-Degree Burns

    • Third-degree burns require immediate medical attention. Take the injured person to an emergency room or call 911. Clothing and jewelry can hold in heat and make the burn worse. If possible, remove these items. If clothing is stuck to the skin, don't attempt to remove it. Cover the burned area with a bandage or clean cloth, but don't apply any ointment or soak the burn in water. Shock can occur with third-degree burns. You can try to prevent this from occurring by covering the person with a coat or blanket, as long as the coat or blanket is not placed in an area where it will stick to the skin. Place the injured person flat on the ground or floor and raise the feet about 12 inches. Third-degree burns take weeks or months to heal.

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