How to Treat a Burn

Most minor burns will heal on their own without the intervention of a physician or hospital. Home treatment may be the only thing required to relieve the symptoms of a burn and help in the healing process. Contact a medical professional if you determine that a more severe burn injury has occurred and apply basic first-aid measures to stabilize the burn victim until medical help can be provided.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Over-the-counter pain medication
• Cool water
• Tetanus shot
• Clean towel
• Physician or medical professional
• Sterile bandage or dressing

Treat a Burn at Home

1. Stop the burning to prevent further injury. If someone is on fire, cover him with a blanket or extinguish the flames with water. If you are on fire, follow the "stop, drop and roll" guidelines provided by fire-protection agencies to help put out the fire.
2. Look for other injuries that may have resulted from the burn injury. If an electrical burn has taken place, check the patient's pulse and breathing. If the burn victim is not breathing and does not have a pulse, immediately begin performing CPR and rescue breathing.
3. Remove or cut away any burned clothing. Do not attempt to remove any clothing that may have become attached to the skin, as this may cause further damage.
4. Assess the burned area to determine the level of injury. Most minor burns, which only affect the epidermal or top layer of skin, may be treated at home without further medical intervention, however medical professionals should be contacted for assistance in treating more severe or large burns, such as second and third-degree burns.
5. Soak a minor burn in cool water or apply a cool compress, made from a clean towel soaked in cold water, to the burned area. If the burn victim has been burned by hot tar or plastic, immediately soak the substance and the affected area in cold water to cool off the tar or plastic and prevent further damage.
6. Treat the burned area with a sterile bandage or wound dressing and avoid applying pressure or friction to the affected area.
7. Treat the pain with over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking them if you are also taking other medications.

Tips & Warnings

• Never put ice or butter on a burn, no matter what the severity. These measures are not helpful in relieving pain or aiding in the healing process. They can actually cause further damage to the skin.