6 First Aid Tips for Treating Superficial (First-Degree) Burns (2024)

Burns are a common type of skin injury that can result from exposure to many different sources, such as flames or hot objects, hot water, steam, chemicals, electricity, and overexposure to the sun.

Burns were formerly classified as first, second, third, or fourth degree, but the categorization now used better describes which burns require surgical treatment. The classification of a burn may also change over several days. A burn may appear to be initially superficial, but it may become deeper over time.

• Superficial skin burn (formerly “first-degree burn”): affects only on the top layer of skin
• Superficial partial-thickness burn (formerly “second-degree burn”): affects the top 2 layers of skin, but does not go deep into the second layer
• Deep partial-thickness burn (formerly “third-degree burn”): also affects the top 2 layers of skin, but is deeper than a superficial partial-thickness burn
• Full-thickness burn (formerly “fourth-degree burn”): affects all the layers of the skin and often the fat and muscle underneath

First Aid for Burns

The American Academy of Dermatology does not recommend applying any type of ointment to a burn due to the risk of infection. Petroleum jelly, applied two to three times daily, mayhelp the skin in the burned area retain moisture and heal more quickly.

For a minor superficial skin burn (formerly, a first-degree burn) that does not require a doctor visit, home treatment may be all that is needed to relieve pain, treat infection, and help the burn heal more quickly.

• Clean the burn
  • Remove any clothing covering the area; if clothing sticks to a burn, see a doctor
  • Cleanse the burned area gently with plain soap and cool water
  • It is not necessary to disinfect the skin with alcohol, iodine, or other cleansers
• Cool the burn
  • After cleaning, use a cool compress or cloth on the skin or immerse the area in cool tap water
  • Keep the cool compress or water on the skin for about 10 minutes or until the pain decreases
  • Do not use ice on burned skin
• Prevent infection
  • Wash the burned area daily with plain soap and cool water
  • If the burn is deeper than the top layer of skin, to help prevent infection, apply topical aloe vera, petroleum jelly, or an antibiotic such as bacitracin
  • Do not apply home remedies such as butter, egg whites, mustard, mayonnaise, lavender oil, or toothpaste to skin burns because these may cause infection
  • If the burn blisters, cover it with a clean, non-stick bandage and change the bandage once or twice daily as needed
  • Do not pop blisters, which can increase the risk of infection
• Don’t scratch the burn
  • Scratching can increase the risk of infection
  • Use moisturizing lotion to hydrate skin or petroleum jelly to retain moisture and prevent dryness that can cause itching
  • Over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) may help relieve itch
• Treat pain
  • Over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) may be used to help relieve pain and inflammation
  • If you are unable to manage pain with OTC pain relievers, contact your doctor
  • Topical numbing medications (anesthetics) should not be used regularly on burns, because they may irritate the skin
• Tetanus prevention
  • If you have not had a tetanus shot in the past five years and the burn is superficial partial-thickness (formerly, a second-degree burn) or deeper get a tetanus booster

How to Treat Serious Burns

More serious burns need to be treated by a doctor, and severe burns may require hospitalization or treatment at a burn center.

Medical treatments for severe burns may include:

• Intravenous (IV) fluids
• Pain medications
• Topical burn creams and ointments
• Anti-anxiety medications
• Wound dressings
• Antibiotics for infection
• Ultrasound mist therapy to clean wound tissue
• Physical therapy if burns cover a large area or a joint
• Skin grafts
• Plastic surgery

Seek medical attention immediately for a burn if you are not sure how bad it is, if you think it might be serious, or if the burn:

• Is on the face, hands, feet, or genitals
• Is on or near a joint
• Goes all the way around a part of the body
• Measures more than three inches across
• Goes deep into the skin
• Is accompanied by fever of at least 100.4° F (38° C) or other signs of infection
  • Infected skin is more red, painful, and may leak pus
• Goes deeper than the top layer of skin and you have not had a tetanus shot in more than 5 years
• Occurs on a person younger than 5 years or older than 70 years
• Occurs on a person with a compromised immune system (such HIV or cancer)

From

References

https://www.uptodate.com/contents/skin-burns-beyond-the-basics?search=burns&topicRef=15740&source=see_link#H9
https://www.emergencyphysicians.org/article/know-when-to-go/burns
http://ameriburn.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/burncenterreferralcriteria.pdf
https://www.uptodate.com/contents/overview-of-the-management-of-the-severely-burned-patient?search=burn%20treatment&source=search_result&selectedTitle=2~150&usage_type=default&display_rank=2#H14168772
https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/injured-skin/burns/treat-minor-burns