First Aid Treatment for Burns

We’ve all been there. You’re making something on the stove and accidentally touch the burner. Or you spend a little too much time in the sun and end up looking like a lobster. There are lots of different ways to get a burn, let’s take a look at some of the more common ways:

Thermal burns

These are typically what comes to mind when someone thinks of a burn. Caused by some sort of heat source, the skin temperature is raised to the point where cell death begins. Any hot item can cause a thermal burn, from a hot metal or liquid to a fire.

Symptoms:

The symptoms of thermal burns can vary widely depending on how extensive the burn is. Thermal burns are broken down into three categories.

First degree or superficial burns:

Redness
Pain
No blistering, but skin turns white when touched
Likely only epidermis (outermost layer of skin) is affected

Second degree or partial-thickness burns:

Redness
Pain
Blistering
Skin turns white when touched
Affects epidermis and dermis (layer below epidermis)

Third degree or full-thickness burns:

Painless
No sensation to touch
Skin may be whitish and charred or leathery
Affects epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue
In severe cases, muscle tissue or bone may be exposed

Treatment

Like the symptoms, the treatment of thermal burns depends on the severity of the burn.

Minor burns

Run cool water over burn
Remove any constrictive items like rings or watches in case of swelling
Don’t break blisters
Apply burn jel to the affected area
Loosely cover with a sterile gauze bandage
Use over the counter pain relievers as needed

Major burns (which are deep, cause the skin to be dry or leathery, cause the skin to be charred or are larger than 3 inches in diameter or cover the hands, feet, face, groin, buttocks or a major joint)

Protect the person from further harm or burns
Monitor breathing
Remove jewelry or restrictive clothing from burn site
Cover the burn with a moist dressing, like a burn jel 4x4
DO NOT immerse in water
Elevate the burned area, if possible
Watch for signs of shock like fainting, pale skin, or shallow breathing

Friction burns

These burns are commonly caused by sliding or rubbing against something, scraping off a layer of skin and creating a heat burn through friction. These are the types of burns you’d typically see in a motorcycle/bicycle crash. Rug burns are also a type of friction burn.

Symptoms

Redness
Discoloration
Pain

Treatment

Run the affected body part under cold water for 15 minutes. This will help with swelling and pain. After rinsing it, you can clean it with cold water and a mild soap
Apply antibiotic ointment to the burn to reduce risk of infection
Apply a loose, sterile bandage to the skin. Change the bandage and re-apply antibiotic ointment daily
Take an over-the-counter painkiller as necessary

Radiation burns

The most common type of radiation burn is a sunburn. Other, less common types of radiation burns come from exposure to x-rays or some cancer treatments.

Symptoms

Reddening or darkening of skin
Itching
Dry and/or peeling skin
Swelling
Blistering

Treatment

Take cool baths to help relieve pain
Use aloe vera to help soothe the pain. If pain is especially severe, you can consider using an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream
Take an over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen or acetaminophen for pain
Make sure to stay hydrated and drink lots of water
If a burn is severe, blisters may form. DO NOT pop the blisters and allow them to heal on their own. If blisters are popped, the risk of infection increases

Cold (or Ice) burns

More commonly known as “frostbite”, these burns are caused by prolonged exposure to low temperatures. If left untreated, it can cause the loss of body parts like fingers, toes and more.

Symptoms:

Numbness
Itching
Tingly feeling
Pain
Blisters
Firm or waxy skin

Treatment

Check for hypothermia. If someone has been in the cold long enough to get frostbitten, they may also show signs of hypothermia like intense shivering, drowsiness, confusion, fumbling hands and slurred speech
Protect skin from additional damage. Cover exposed body parts as much as possible. If it’s likely that the skin will re-freeze, don’t thaw it
Soak frostbitten skin in WARM water (around 104 degrees, but no more than 108 degrees Fahrenheit) for 20 minutes. Repeat if needed, taking 20-minute breaks between soaks
Apply warm compresses and blankets. Avoid using direct heat like a stove or heating pad, as these can cause thermal burns
Drink warm liquids like coffee, tea or soup to help raise your core body temperature. Avoid alcoholic drinks
Take over the counter pain relievers as needed
As skin thaws, the patient will feel tingling and burning. This is normal. Do not break any blisters that have formed. Seek medical help for anything more than minor frostbite.

Electrical burns

These burns are caused by coming into contact with electrical current, through a variety of ways like household electrical current, a stun gun, or even lightning.

Symptoms

Burn or wound on skin
Headache, dizziness, confusion, or memory loss
Fast or abnormal heartbeat
Shortness of breath
Weakness, stiffness, or muscle pain
Difficulty walking
Discolored urine
Pain
Seizures

Treatment

If the person is still in contact with electrical current, DO NOT TOUCH THEM. You could become a victim as well
Turn off the electrical source, if possible
Apply a sterile gauze dressing to burnt areas
For anything other than minor electrical burns, the person should be evaluated by a doctor, due to the possibility of internal damage from the electrical current

Chemical burns

When your skin comes into contact with some acids, solvents, or detergents it can be burnt.

Symptoms

Symptoms can vary widely depending on the chemical involved, the concentration of the chemical, duration of exposure and many other factors.

Redness
Irritation
Burning sensation
Pain or numbness
Blisters
Black, dead skin
Vision changes if chemical gets into the eyes
Cough or shortness of breath

Treatment

Call Poison Control at (800)222-1222 if you don’t know if the chemical is toxic or what the proper procedures are for treatment
Remove the person from the contaminated area
Remove contaminated clothing
Irrigate the affected area with large volumes of water for at least 20 minutes. Take care to avoid water runoff coming into contact with unaffected body parts
Brush away any dry materials, taking care to avoid any unaffected body parts. Use gloves or a brush if possible, to avoid the material coming into contact with your skin
Loosely bandage the burn with a sterile gauze dressing
Repeat flushing if needed