How to Treat Burns at Home

If you or a household member get burned at home and you need to apply first aid, here are some guidelines that have been tested in action. Read on to learn more.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Small towels or face-cloths
• Non-adhesive sterile pads
• Rolls of 2-to-3 inch wide gauze
• Paper first-aid tape
• Cotton-tipped swabs
• Triple antibiotic ointment

1. Immediately after the burn occurs, cool down burned areas. Use small towels or face cloths soaked in cold tap water and wrung out. Keep applying cold towels until sensation of heat diminishes. This step may take a half hour or more.

2. Let moist skin areas affected air-dry, then gently apply antibiotic ointment with cotton-tipped swabs. Place non-stick sterile pad or pads over the treatment area.

3. Wrap 2-to-3 inch wide gauze roll around arm, leg or other body area where sterile pads are placed. Wrap at least three to five times or more until all parts of sterile pads are wrapped. Tape ends of gauze with paper first-aid tape to secure dressing.

4. Change the dressings daily. If dressing unwrap, they can be replaced immediately, or you can let the affected areas air out for a while, then re-dress. Keep a clean towel under the dressing area whenever possible and change bedding every 2 or 3 days.

Tips & Warnings

• After healing begins to progress, aloe vera gel can be applied in between dressing changes. The best aloe vera gel comes right from the leaves of the plant, if you can find some.
• If blisters form, don't be tempted to break them. They will heal more quickly if you leave them alone and just apply dressings as described above.
• If someone gets serious burns with blistering over an area more than about 10 square inches, it is important to get professional medical treatment. This is particularly important for burns on the face, hands, feet or genitals.
• For third-degree burns which show whitening or charring of the skin, or for electrical burns, take the victim to the hospital immediately.
• If burned areas begin to swell or look unusually red or discolored, seek medical attention.