Burns Treatment at home

For All Burns

1. Stop Burning Immediately

• Put out fire or stop the person's contact with hot liquid, steam, or other material.

• Help the person "stop, drop, and roll" to smother flames.

• Remove smoldering material from the person.

• Remove hot or burned clothing. If clothing sticks to skin, cut or tear around it.

2. Remove Constrictive Clothing Immediately

• Take off jewelry, belts, and tight clothing. Burns can swell quickly.

Then take the following steps:

For First-Degree Burns (Affecting Top Layer of Skin)

1. Cool Burn

• Hold burned skin under cool (not cold) running water or immerse in cool water until pain subsides.

• Use compresses if running water isn’t available.

2. Protect Burn

• Cover with sterile, non-adhesive bandage or clean cloth.

• Do not apply butter or ointments, which can cause infection.

3. Treat Pain

• Give over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), acetaminophen (Tylenol), or naproxen (Aleve).

4. When to See a Doctor

Seek medical help if:

• You see signs of infection, like increased pain, redness, swelling, fever, or oozing.

• The person needs tetanus or booster shot, depending on date of last injection. Tetanus booster should be given every 10 years.

• Redness and pain last more than a few hours.

• Pain worsens.

5. Follow Up

• The doctor will examine the burn and may prescribe antibiotics and pain medication.

For Second-Degree Burns (Affecting Top 2 Layers of Skin)

1. Cool Burn

• Immerse in cool water for 10 or 15 minutes.

• Use compresses if running water isn’t available.

• Don’t apply ice. It can lower body temperature and cause further damage.

• Don’t break blisters or apply butter or ointments, which can cause infection.

2. Protect Burn

• Cover loosely with sterile, nonstick bandage and secure in place with gauze or tape.

3. Prevent Shock

Unless the person has a head, neck, or leg injury, or it would cause discomfort:

• Lay the person flat.

• Elevate feet about 12 inches.

• Elevate burn area above heart level, if possible.

• Cover the person with coat or blanket.

4. See a Doctor

• The doctor can test burn severity, prescribe antibiotics and pain medications, and administer a tetanus shot, if needed.

For Third-Degree Burns

1. Call 911

2. Protect Burn Area

• Cover loosely with sterile, nonstick bandage or, for large areas, a sheet or other material that that won’t leave lint in wound.

• Separate burned toes and fingers with dry, sterile dressings.

• Do not soak burn in water or apply ointments or butter, which can cause infection.

3. Prevent Shock

Unless the person has a head, neck, or leg injury or it would cause discomfort:

• Lay the person flat.

• Elevate feet about 12 inches.

• Elevate burn area above heart level, if possible.

• Cover the person with coat or blanket.

• For an airway burn, do not place pillow under the person's head when the person is lying down. This can close the airway.

• Have a person with a facial burn sit up.

• Check pulse and breathing to monitor for shock until emergency help arrives.

4. See a Doctor

• Doctors will give oxygen and fluid, if needed, and treat the burn.