How to Treat Burns

You have a pain from a scald or exposure to fire or chemicals. Your skin is red, blistered, blackened, or white.

Things You'll Need

• Burn injury

Instructions

1. Burns can be caused by hot liquids, steam, electric shock, chemicals, and flames. How you treat a burn depends on what caused it and how severe it is. Children and the elderly are at a risk for other complications from burns and should seek medical attention as early as possible. Burns can be put into three different categories.....

2. First-degree Burn injury. If only the outer layer of the skin is burned it is likely a first-degree burn. The ski will be red and tender but it will NOT be blistering. First-degree burns are usually not serious but if you feel you need medical attention, seek it as soon as possible.

3. Second-degree Burn injury. If you have a severe burn or scald caused by hot liquid, gasoline or other flammable liquids, or a fire, you have a second-degree burn. Your burn will be painful and swollen, with blisters and a watery surface. With the proper self-help, your burn should heal within a week. If it doesn't, seek medical attention.

4. Third-degree Burn injury. If you have a severe, deep, and possibly exposed underlying flesh you have a third-degree burn. Your skin will be charred and whitened. If your nerves have been burned, you may feel pain around the edges of the burn. Third-degree burns are caused by electric shocks, clothing fires, severe gas fires, chemical fires, and intense exposure to flames.

5. If you feel that you might have a third-degree burn, call an ambulance immediately! While you are waiting, soak the burned area in cold water just long enough to lower the temperature. After you do this wrap the burned area in a clean bandage or sheet. DO NOT try and remove any clothing from your skin and DO NOT apply medications!

6. If you feel that you have a second-degree burn, soak the area in cold water. Next, wash the burned area with soap and rinse. Finally, spray the area with antiseptic and cover with a light cloth.

7. If you feel you have a first-degree burn, remove or cut away any clothing the is stuck to the burned area. Wash the burn with cold water for about 3 minutes then cover with gauze. Do not take any pain relievers as they can cause inflammation to the burned area.

8. For all burns: After you apply first aid, elevate the burned body part. Always keep the dressings cleans and change them often. Keep an eye out for swelling and redness as it heals. Don't break any blisters that may form and add a little bit of moisturizer to any skin that becomes dried and cracked.

Tips & Warnings

• DON'T smoke in bed!

• Install smoke alarms and check them monthly.