Don’t rinse chemical burns or more serious burns. If you see any scorching or ash and smell burning, stay away from water and call 911. Don’t submerge burns in water. Rinse gently, then dry your skin by patting it with a clean towel afterward.
Cool compresses will only cool the burn for the first 10 minutes after injury. After that point, a compress may relieve pain, but it won’t treat the burn. [3] X Research source Do not use chipped ice cubes, bags of frozen vegetables, or other frozen items instead of a clean cool compress. Burns can numb your heat-sensitivity, which means you can actually get frostbite.
First degree burns affect the top layer of skin only, and are characterized by redness, minor swelling, and pain. First degree burns don’t usually require medical attention. Second degree burns also only affect the outer layer of skin, but are more severe, characterized by red and white splotchy skin, blistering, swelling, and more significant pain. Third degree burns affect the under layers of skin, and the fat beneath. Some severe third degree burns even affect muscle, or bone. These burns are characterized by blackness or white scorching on the skin, and may be accompanied by difficulty breathing, severe pain, and smoke inhalation.
If you have blisters, use an antibiotic topical cream and cover the blister with a bandage for about 10 hours before you uncover it. [12] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source Gentle, scent-free moisturizer is sometimes used on mild burns. This helps keep the skin on the burned area from cracking. Let the burn heal some before you apply moisturizer. [13] X Trustworthy Source FamilyDoctor. org Family-focused medical advice site run by the American Academy of Family Doctors Go to source
Blistered burns should generally be covered loosely with gauze. If you’re in pain, you can use some loosely-wrapped gauze or a Band-Aid to cover the burned area and keep it safe. [14] X Research source
Larger blisters should be checked out by a doctor, who will often lance or remove the blisters, if necessary. Never attempt to do this by yourself.
If you’ve burned a finger or hand, remove any rings, bracelets, and watches from the area, and wear short sleeves. You don’t want to agitate the area at all, if possible.
Some moisturizers and lotions advertised as “aloe” actually contain only a small percentage of aloe-vera. Read the ingredients, and make sure you’re not covering your burn with scented, aluminum-based lotions.
Supposedly, the French scientist who pioneered the use of lavender oil as a home remedy once burned himself in the lab and plunged his hand into a vat of lavender oil, healing it quickly. [19] X Research source
If you try this, make sure you clean the wound thoroughly before and after, and rinse the potato before you apply it. Don’t leave potato residue on your wound.
Petroleum jelly or Vaseline is commonly thought to have burn-soothing benefits, but this is not true. Vaseline is a moisture barrier, which can dry out the wound. Vaseline has no actual healing properties. Putting Vaseline on a burn is not recommended. Some people think toothpaste, butter, and other kitchen supplies should be used on burns. This is not backed up in any way. Never apply toothpaste to burns. [22] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Dermatology Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists Go to source
