If it is a chemical burn, stop and clear the area for safety. Remove the chemical from your skin if possible. Use a dry brush for dry chemicals, or rinse the burn under cool water. [3] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source If it is an electrical burn, turn off the source of the electricity and move away from any wires. [4] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
If you are unsure if the wire is still live, do not touch it directly. Touch it with a dry, nonconducting source like a dry piece of wood or plastic. [6] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source People who have suffered electrical burns should always seek medical attention, as the electricity can interfere with your body’s natural electrical impulses and cause severe side effects. [7] X Research source
If the hand burn is on the palm, you should seek prompt medical attention. Burns on the palm could cause long-term disability. [9] X Research source [10] X Research source If you have circumferential burns on your fingers (meaning the burns wrap around any or several fingers), seek prompt medical attention. This type of burn can restrict blood flow and in severe cases could require amputation of the finger if left untreated. [11] X Research source
If a mild burn covers the hand as well as the face or airway, most of the hands, feet, groin, buttocks, or over major joints, a trip to the doctor is recommended. Sunburns are common first degree burns, unless there is blistering involved. [13] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
You can also take a bowl of cold water and place the affected area in it for a few minutes. This will also help pull heat away from the skin, reduce inflammation, and prevent as much scarring. Do not use ice because it can lead to frostbite on the burned skin if it is left on the skin for too long. Also, if the skin around the burn has ice on it, it too can be damaged. [15] X Research source [16] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source You should also not apply butter or blow air on the burn. This will not help and can increase your likelihood of infection. [17] X Research source
If you don’t have an aloe vera plant, you can use store bought 100% aloe vera gel. Do not apply aloe to an open wound.
If the burn is larger than 3 inches (7. 6 cm), treat as third-degree and seek medical attention immediately. [23] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Common causes of second-degree burns including scalding, flame, contact with a very hot object, bad sunburn, chemical burns, and electrical burns. [24] X Trustworthy Source University of Rochester Medical Center Leading academic medical center in the U. S. focused on clinical care and research Go to source
Don’t apply butter or ice to the burn. Also, do not blow on the burn because it can increase your likelihood of infection. [27] X Research source
Silver sulfadiazine (Silvadene) is a popular antibiotic ointment for burns. It is often available over-the-counter without a prescription. [29] X Research source Use a lot of the cream so that it will soak into the skin for a long time. [30] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
When the wound is gone or mostly gone you won’t need the bandage anymore.
Studies have suggested that honey may be a better alternative than regular silver sulfadiazine prescription ointment. [32] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source Dressing changes should happen daily. If the wound drains more often, change the dressing more often. If the burn cannot be covered, then reapply the honey every 6 hours. It helps cool the burn as well. [33] X Research source [34] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
While healing, look for signs and symptoms of infection, such as pus-like oozing from the burn, fevers, swelling, or increased redness on the skin. If these signs occur, seek medical treatment.
These burns can become infected and your skin may not grow back correctly. If your clothes are sticking to this burn, do not pull the clothes away. Get help right away.
If you do not know how to perform CPR, you can ask the emergency dispatcher to talk you through it. [39] X Research source Do not attempt to clear the airway or breathe for the other person if you do not know CPR. Instead, focus only on chest compressions. Lie the person on her back. Kneel next to her shoulders. Place your hands over the center of her chest, and move your shoulders so that they are right above your hands with your arms and elbows straight. Push straight down on her chest for about 100 compressions per minute. [40] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
Do not soak the burn in water, as you would with minor burns. This can lead to hypothermia. If possible, elevate the burn above heart level to help reduce swelling. Do not give any pain medication. You do not want to give anything that could interfere with the emergency medical treatment. Do not pop blisters, scrape dead skin, or apply aloe or salve. [42] X Research source
You might be able to use plastic wrap. If used for a very temporary amount of time, plastic wrap has been shown to be effective as a dressing. It protects while maintaining a low level of transmission of outside organisms to the burn. [44] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source
They might have a nutritionist suggest a high protein diet to aid with healing. If necessary, the physician may talk to you about follow-up skin grafting. Skin grafting is when you take a piece of skin from another part of the body to cover the burnt area. Expect the hospital staff to teach you how to do dressing changes at home. After discharge, dressings will need to be changed. Follow-up will continue with the physician to assure adequate healing. [46] X Research source
