Minor burns commonly affect the fingers. They can be caused by sudden, temporary contact with dry or wet heat and frequently occur in the kitchen. According to Penn State, the most common sources of first degree burns are cigarettes, hot water, hot grease and hot beverages. They may also be caused by chemicals, including some household chemicals. While major burns require emergency treatment at a hospital, most minor first degree burns that occur on the finger can be treated at home.
Step 1
Inspect the burn visually. If it is larger than about the size of a quarter, has broken the top layer of skin or has affected the underlying skin, head to the emergency room or your doctor's office for professional treatment. If the burn is minor, proceed with treatment at home.
Step 2
Remove any rings, gloves or other items on the affected fingers. If the source of the burn was a chemical, any nearby clothing that touched that chemical should also be removed to avoid burning other areas of the body.
Step 3
Immerse the burned fingers in cool running water for 5 to 20 minutes. If the burn is chemical in origin, you may need to rinse the area for up to 30 minutes to ensure that all traces of the chemical are removed in addition to treating the burn. Do not use ice or warm water, as these can make the burn worse.
Step 4
Gently dry the area or allow it to dry naturally. Do not rub the fingers with a towel to dry them.
Step 5
Apply an aloe-based cream or gel to the burn to help cool the area and assist healing.
Step 6
Cover the burn with a sterile, dry bandage, gently wrapping it loosely around each affected finger. Do not wrap tightly because you want the damaged area to get some air circulation, which aids in healing.
Step 7
Take an over-the-counter pain reliever to ease the pain from the burn. Popular options include aspirin, ibuprofen and acetaminophen.
Step 8
Watch the burn for signs of infection. The appearance of red lines radiating outward from the burn site can indicate that the area has become infected and should be evaluated by a doctor.
Things You'll Need
- Cool water
- Aloe-based cream or gel
- Sterile bandage
- Over-the-counter pain relief
