If you have a burn blister, you suffered a second-degree burn. First-degree burns affect the top layer of skin, known as the epidermis. While they cause pain, redness and swelling, it takes a second-degree burn to cause a blister. These burns also affect the secondary layer of skin, called the dermis. If the burn affects more than 3 inches of skin, or if it's on your face, hands, feet, genitals, buttocks or a large joint, get medical treatment. Otherwise, it's treatable as a minor burn. There's no guarantee the blister won't leave a scar, but with appropriate care, you can minimize the chances.
Step 1
Soak the burned skin in cool water for 15 minutes if the burn just occurred. Don't use cold water or ice. The MedlinePlus website cautions not to apply butter, oil or oil sprays, as some home remedy sources suggest.
Step 2
Cover the burn blister with an ample piece of sterile gauze, held on with an adhesive. Make sure the adhesive strips are clear of the burn, and don't use a bandage unless the sticky parts are well beyond the burned area. Don't risk tearing the blister open when removing the adhesive strips or bandage. Refrain from covering the burn blister with cotton or other fluffy material that might get lint caught in the burn. Affix the gauze snugly, but not tightly enough to put pressure on the blister or cause significant friction.
Step 3
Apply a topical antibiotic to the burn blister after the first day. Use a piece of gauze or clean washcloth, not a cotton-tipped swab or anything that might get fuzz in the blister. Apply it freshly every time you change the covering. This helps prevent infection, which can slow healing, worsen the wound and make scarring more likely.
Step 4
Change the dressing over the burn blister at least once a day, and any time it gets wet or soiled. Continue doing so until the burn blister heals, which typically takes two to three weeks, according to FamilyDoctor.org. While this might seem excessive, the covering protects the blister against being broken open, which makes a scar more likely to form.
Step 5
Avoid sports and other activities that might cause the burn blister to be torn or irritated. Be careful to prevent friction and pressure on the area of the burn.
Step 6
Allow the burn blister to heal naturally. Do not pop it or pick at it. Burned skin can be itchy as it heals, but refrain from scratching it. Soothe the itch with a little aloe or other skin cream.
Things You'll Need
- Gauze
- Topical antibiotic
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