Bandaging the burn
If the burned skin or blisters have not broken open, a bandage may not be needed. If the burned skin or unbroken blisters are likely to become dirty or be irritated by clothing, apply a bandage. If the burned skin or blisters have broken open, a bandage is needed.
Treatment for small burns
For first-degree or second-degree burns smaller than about two inches in diameter, Bernal recommends the following home-treatment steps: Wash the area daily with mild soap. Apply an antibiotic ointment or dressing to keep the wound moist. Cover with gauze or a Band-Aid to keep the area sealed.
Severe burns shouldn’t be treated with ice or ice water because this can further damage the tissue. The best thing to do is cover the burn with a clean towel or sheet and head to the emergency room as quickly as possible for medical evaluation.
For second-degree burns:
Apply an antibiotic ointment, such as Polysporin or Bacitracin, and cover the burn with a sterile dressing. Don’t touch the wound with your hands or any unsterile objects. Remove the dressing every day, clean the wound, and cover it again.
Third degree burns, or full-thickness burns, are a type of burn that destroys the skin and may damage the underlying tissue. They are more severe than first or second degree burns and always require skin grafts. Third degree burns are a serious injury requiring immediate medical help.
Aloe Vera is effective in treating first and second-degree burns. Applying aloe vera to your burn will help promote healing by reducing inflammation, promoting circulation, and inhibiting the growth of bacteria. It’s best to use pure aloe vera gel obtained directly from an aloe vera plant.
Call your doctor if you experience: Signs of infection, such as oozing from the wound, increased pain, redness and swelling. A burn or blister that’s large or doesn’t heal in two weeks. New, unexplained symptoms.
First-degree burns will usually heal within seven to ten days. However, you should see a doctor if the burns cover a large area of skin, or are on your face or a major joint.
Wrap the burn loosely to avoid putting pressure on the burned skin. Do not tape a bandage so that it circles a hand, arm, or leg. This can cause swelling.
pain. soreness in the burned area, which lasts for 2 –3 days. skin that may be warm to the touch. swelling.
Keep the wound covered with a bandage. Burns heal better in a moist, covered environment.
When you are burned, you experience pain because the heat has destroyed skin cells. Minor burns heal much the same way cuts do. Often a blister forms, which covers the injured area. Under it, white blood cells arrive to attack the bacteria and a new layer of skin grows in from the edges of the burn.
You may put a thin layer of ointment, such as petroleum jelly or aloe vera, on the burn. The ointment does not need to have antibiotics in it. Some antibiotic ointments can cause an allergic reaction. Do not use cream, lotion, oil, cortisone, butter, or egg white.
A good over-the-counter option for an uncomplicated burn is to use Polysporin or Neosporin ointment, which you can then cover with a non-stick dressing like Telfa pads.
Treat: For Infection Prevention: Apply POLYSPORIN® Antibiotic Ointment or Cream to the affected area one to three times daily until healed to help prevent infection and keep wound moist to decrease scarring.
Fifth-degree burn injuries occur when all the skin and subcutaneous tissues are destroyed, exposing muscle. These burns can be fatal due to damage to major arteries and veins. Fifth-degree burn injuries also may require amputation due to damage to muscles.
The burn site may look white or blackened and charred. Fourth-degree burns. Fourth-degree burns go through both layers of the skin and underlying tissue as well as deeper tissue, possibly involving muscle and bone. There is no feeling in the area since the nerve endings are destroyed.
The fatality rate for fourth-degree burns is high, and if you survive, you will require extensive medical treatments such as skin grafts. Fourth-degree burns are often caused by significant fires or electrical shock.
It is important to note that Neosporin can sometimes cause contact dermatitis, an allergic reaction characterized by redness, itching, and burning of the skin. 6 When this happens, some people will mistake the inflammation for an infection and put on even more Neosporin, making the condition worse rather than better.
When to go to the ER for a burn
If the burn is more than three inches, is covering the hands, joints or face and there is little to no pain, seek emergency care. Burns that require care from specialists may appear dry, leathery and be white, black, brown, or yellow in color.
Not only do wounds need air to heal, but these also trap heat at the burn site and can further damage deeper tissues. Do not peel off dead skin, as this can result in further scarring and infection. Do not cough or breathe directly on the affected area.
Honey might be safe to use on mild to moderate burn wounds
If you have a mild to moderate superficial burn, sufficient evidence exists that you can use honey to manage the wound. One review found that honey has antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties.
Third-degree burns involve damage or complete destruction of the skin to its full depth and damage to underlying tissues. People who experience such burns often require skin grafting. The swelling and blistering characteristic of burns are caused by the loss of fluid from damaged blood vessels.
A third-degree burn will not produce blisters or look wet. Instead, it will look dark red, dry, and leathery. Touching a third-degree burn usually does not cause pain. You will easily be able to see that the burn penetrates deeply into the skin, and you may even see yellowish, fatty tissue in the wound bed.
How to treat a burn – How to treat burns at home