3 Ways to Treat Burns

1. Manage Minor Burns

A first-degree burn only effects the epidermis and does not penetrate to deeper levels of the skin. In general, the burned area will turn red and puffy and will sting. (If you get a surface burn that extends across a significant surface area of the body or a more sensitive region, like the eyes or mouth, you may need more extensive medical help.)

Run cold water over the burned area for at least 10 minutes or use a cold compress to leach heat from the affected area. Don't touch an ice cube directly to the skin, as that can cause damage to the tissue. If only cubed ice is available, wrap the ice in paper towels or cloth. Avoid applying balm or butter to the wound at first, since that can trap heat.

After the area has cooled, apply antiseptic lotion and loosely wrap the area. You don't want a constrictive bandage, as that can lead to infection and slow healing. To reduce pain and inflammation, take a standard non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, like Advil, Aleve, or Tylenol. Avoid popping any blisters that may form within the next hours or days.

2. Care for Second-Degree Burns

Second-degree burns involve damage to a subcutaneous layer of skin known as the hypodermis. In addition to turning red, your skin is also likely to blister or change color a bit or blotch up. These burns can be excruciating, but you may be able to treat them at home, provided they don't extend very far over the body, don't impact sensitive areas (e.g. nose, eyes, groin), and don't stem from an exotic burn source, such as an unknown chemical or radioactive material.

Treatment is similar to the course of action for first-degree burns, but with added caveats. Don't remove clothing that has been burned into the wound. Don't pop blisters. Avoid using bandages or dressings that can stick to the wound. Instead, opt for clean, dry cotton. Finally, get medical attention soon after treatment, or at the very least consult your doctor. Following treatment, watch for signs of infection, including irritation, pus and lumpiness.

3. Managing Major Burns

Third-degree burns involve damage to multiple layers of the skin, wide swaths of surface area, or especially sensitive areas of the body. Your prime directive should be to get professional medical help ASAP. You may not feel pain at the site of injury, due to nerves literally being burned away.