Medical knowledge, Patient Education
Burn Care, Adult
Burn Care, Adult
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First degree. These burns may cause the skin to be red and slightly swollen. These burns do not blister or scar.
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Second degree. These burns are very painful and cause the skin to be very red. The skin may also swell, leak fluid, look shiny, and develop blisters.
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Third degree. These burns cause permanent damage. They either turn the skin white or black and make it look charred, dry, and leathery. These burns may not be painful due to damage to the nerve endings.
Treatment for your burn will depend on the type of burn you have. Taking care of your burn properly can help to prevent pain and infection. It can also help the burn heal more quickly.
How to care for a first-degree burn
Right after a burn:
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Rinse or soak the burn under cool water for 5 minutes or more. Do not put ice on your burn. This can cause more damage.
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Apply a cool, clean, wet cloth (cold compress) to your skin. This may help with pain.
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Put moisturising cream or gel with aloe vera on your skin. This may help soothe the burn.
Caring for the burn
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Using mild soap and water to clean the area.
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Using a clean cloth to pat the burned area dry after cleaning it. Do not rub or scrub the burn.
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Applying moisturising cream or gel with aloe vera to your skin.
How to care for a second-degree burn
Right after a burn:
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Rinse or soak the burn under cool water. Do this for 5 to 10 minutes. Do not put ice on your burn. This can cause more damage.
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Remove any jewellery near the burned area.
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Lightly cover the burn with a clean cloth.
Caring for the burn
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Raise (elevate) the injured area above the level of your heart while sitting or lying down.
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Follow instructions from your healthcare provider about cleaning and caring for the burn. This may include:
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Cleaning or rinsing out (irrigating) the burned area.
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Putting a cream or ointment on the burn.
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Placing a germ-free (sterile) dressing over the burn. A dressing is a material that is placed over a burn to help it heal.
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How to care for a third-degree burn
Right after a burn:
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Lightly cover the burn with a clean, dry cloth.
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Seek treatment right away if you have this kind of burn. You may:
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Require admission to the hospital.
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Be treated with surgery to remove damaged tissue or to place a skin graft to cover the damaged area.
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Be given IV fluids to keep you hydrated.
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Caring for the burn
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Cleaning or rinsing out (irrigating) the burned area.
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Putting a cream or ointment on the burn.
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Placing a sterile dressing in the burned area (dressing pack).
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Placing a sterile dressing over the burn.
Other instructions
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Elevate the injured area above the level of your heart while sitting or lying down.
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Wear splints or immobilisers as instructed by your healthcare provider.
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Rest as instructed by your healthcare provider. Do not participate in sports or other physical activities until your healthcare provider approves.
How to prevent infection when caring for a burn
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Take these steps to prevent infection:
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Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after burn care. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitiser.
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Wear clean or sterile gloves as directed by your healthcare provider.
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Do not put butter, oil, toothpaste, or other home remedies on the burn.
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Do not scratch or pick at the burn.
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Do not break any blisters.
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Do not peel the skin.
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Do not rub your burn, even when you are cleaning it.
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Check your burn every day for these signs of infection:
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More redness, swelling, or pain.
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Warmth.
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Pus or a bad smell.
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Red streaks around the burn.
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Follow these instructions at home
Medicines
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Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as instructed by your healthcare provider.
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If you were prescribed an antibiotic, take or apply it as instructed by your healthcare provider. Do not stop using the antibiotic even if your condition improves.
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Your healthcare provider may recommend taking over-the-counter or a prescription painkiller before changing your dressing.
General instructions
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Protect your burn from the sun.
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Drink enough fluid to keep your urine pale yellow.
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Do not use any products that contain nicotine or tobacco, such as cigarettes, e-cigarettes and chewing tobacco. These can delay healing. If you need help quitting, ask your healthcare provider.
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Keep all follow-up appointments as instructed by your healthcare provider. This is important.
Contact a healthcare provider if:
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Your condition does not improve.
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Your condition gets worse.
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You have a fever or chills.
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Your burn feels warm to the touch.
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You have more redness, swelling, or pain at the site of the burn.
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Your burn changes in appearance or develops black or red spots.
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You have pain that is not controlled with medicine.
Get help right away if you have:
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More fluid, blood, or pus coming from your burn.
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Red streaks near the burn.
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Severe pain.
Summary
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There are three types of burns. They are first degree, second degree, and third degree. The most severe type of burn is a third-degree burn which must be treated right away.
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Treatment for your burn will depend on the type of burn you have.
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Do not put butter, oil, toothpaste, or other home remedies on the burn. This can cause more damage to the tissue.
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Follow instructions from your healthcare provider about how to clean and take care of your burn.
This information is not intended to replace advice given to you by your health care provider. Make sure you discuss any questions you have with your health care provider.
