Most small burns can be effectively treated without the need for medical attention, according to the Mayo Clinic. First-degree burns affect only the outermost layer of the skin and can be treated at home. So can some small second-degree burns--those characterized by blisters in addition to the redness and inflammation noted in first-degree burns--as long as they're no more than three inches in diameter. However, if a burn affects the face, feet, hands, groin or buttocks, or if it covers a major joint, it should be treated as a major burn and tended to by a health care provider.
Step 1
Submerge the burn in cool water immediately. Integrative physician Dr. Andrew Weil states that the first 20 minutes comprise the most crucial period during which to treat the burn. He advises keeping the skin in water for between 5 and 10 minutes, punctuated by a short break.
Step 2
Cover the affected area with a clean, sterile bandage or gauze. Make sure the bandage is loose, to avoid putting pressure on the skin. The Mayo Clinic states that cotton should not be used, as pieces of the lint can get into the skin and cause infection.
Step 3
Take aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen or acetaminophen for pain, according to the advice of Weil and Mayo Clinic experts. Don't give aspirin to children under the age of two; also avoid giving aspirin to children over the age of two, as well as teens, if they're recovering from chickenpox or flu-like symptoms.
Step 4
Once your skin has cooled down, apply a moisturizing lotion, suggests the NIH. Weil states that other natural remedies you can use on a burn include aloe vera gel, calendula tincture and manuka (medicinal) honey.
Step 5
Change the bandage or gauze covering your burn on a daily basis, making sure your hands are clean. Beware of signs of infection, such as swelling, pus or oozing, redness and heightened pain. Weil cautions not to pop any blisters, if you have a second-degree burn. Try to avoid scratching your skin as your burn heals.
Tips and Warnings
- First-degree burns heal in from three to six days. Second-degree burns require two and three weeks to heal. According to the NIH, most burns are thermal burns, the result of something hot making contact with your skin, such as boiling liquids, steam and flames.
- Don't apply butter or other oil, ice or ice water to the burn, Weil warns. This can make the burn worse. Chemical and electrical burns should never be treated at home. Weil advises treating electrical burns as a medical emergency--get to a hospital immediately. For chemical burns, call your doctor, or phone 911.
Things You'll Need
- Sterile gauze or bandage
- Moisturizing lotion--or--aloe vera gel, calendula tincture or manuka (medicinal) honey
- Over-the-counter pain reliever
