Burns destroy skin, which controls the amount of heat our bodies retain or release, holds in fluids, and protects us from infection. While burns on fingers and hands are usually not dangerous, burns injuring even relatively small areas of skin can develop serious complications. If you think a burn of any type is significant, do not hesitate to call 911 immediately.
For a video demonstration of burn treatments, watch How to Treat a Burn. To understand how deep burns affect skin, watch Types of Burn.
Here are the first aid steps for treating a burn.
Time Required: Up to several days
Here's How:
- STAY SAFE! Do not let the rescuer get burned trying to save the victim. Follow universal precautions and wear personal protective equipment if you have it.
- Treating a burn begins with stopping the burning process. Cool the burned area with cool running water for several minutes.
If an ambulance is coming, continue running water over the burned area until the ambulance arrives. - Look for blistering, sloughing, or charred (blackened) skin.
Blistering or sloughing (skin coming off) means the top layer of skin is completely damaged and complications are likely. Charring indicates even deeper damage to all three layers of skin (see illustration).
If the damaged area is bigger than one entire arm or the whole abdomen, call 911 or take the victim to the emergency department immediately. - Victims with burns to the following areas need emergency medical assistance (call 911):
- face
- hands
- feet
- genitalia
- Mild burns with reddened skin and no blisters may be treated with a topical burn ointment or spray to reduce pain.
Cool water (not cold or warm) may also help with pain.
DO NOT APPLY BUTTER OR OIL TO ANY BURN! - Over the counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can be used for the pain of a mild burn (typically redness only). If stronger pain relief is needed, contact a physician or go to the emergency department.
Tips:
- Burns cause swelling. Burns of the face and neck can sometimes swell enough to cause difficulty breathing (see illustration). If that happens, call 911 immediately.
- Burns that completely circle the hands or feet may cause such severe swelling that blood flow is restricted. If swollen or tight hands and feet become numb and tingly, blue, cold, or "fall asleep," then call 911 immediately.
- While the burn is healing, wear loose natural clothing like silks or light cottons. Harsher fabrics will irritate the skin even more.
- Burns destroy skin and the loss of skin can lead to infection, dehydration and hypothermia (loss of body heat). Make sure that burn victims get emergency medical help if experiencing any of the following:
- dizziness or confusion
- weakness
- fever or chills
- shivering
- cold sweats
