A small burn that has blistered is a second-degree burn, one that affects the tissue of the skin located below your epidermis. Some small second-degree burns can be treated at home without the need to see a doctor, according to Mayo Clinic expects and integrative physician Dr. Andrew Weil. Expedient, proper home treatment prevents the burn from getting infected and reduces your risk of scarring.
Step 1
Assess the size of the burn before you treat it at home. If a second-degree burn is more than three inches in diameter, Mayo Clinic experts indicate that it should be considered a major burn. See your doctor. Also, do not attempt to self-treat a first- or second-degree burn located on your face, extremities (hands, feet), groin or over a major joint (knee, elbow).
Step 2
Work quickly. Dr. Weil stresses the importance of submerging the burned skin in cold water within 20 minutes of the incident. He advises soaking the burn for 5 to 10 minutes. Do not use ice water or apply ice directly to the skin. Blot dry the wounded skin carefully.
Step 3
Protect the burn from air, pressure and friction. Mayo Clinic experts advise applying clean, dry gauze to the burn, affixed to the skin around it. Make sure the gauze is wrapped loosely. A nonstick bandage held in place with gauze or medical tape can also be used.
Step 4
Reduce pain. Weil suggests using an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve) or acetaminophen (Tylenol). You can also take aspirin, but don't give aspirin to children under the age of two or children and teens recuperating from the chickenpox or flu. (It should be noted that the National Institutes of Health strongly advises against giving aspirin to children under the age of 12.)
Step 5
Soothe the burn. Although the Mayo Clinic indicates that cooling the skin and covering it is sufficient treatment, Dr. Weil states that you can apply aloe vera gel, tincture of calendula or medicinal (manuka) honey to the affected skin. Calendula tincture and manuka honey can be purchased at most health food markets.
Step 6
Change your dressing daily. Make sure your hands are clean when you do so, to avoid infection. If blisters do not heal within two to three weeks, or if you note increased inflammation and pain or oozing or pus, you may have an infection that requires medical attention.
Tips and Warnings
- Having an aloe vera plant on hand gives you easy access to one of the best home burn remedies, Dr. Weil states. If using fresh aloe, crop off a lower leaf near the stalk, trim away the spiny ridges and cut the leaf length-wise. Score the leaf with a knife tip and apply fresh aloe gel to burned skin.
- Avoid applying butter or oil on the burn, as this can cause infection.
Things You'll Need
- Clean, dry gauze or bandage
- Oral pain reliever (if needed)
- Aloe vera gel, calendula tincture or medicinal (manuka) honey (if desired)
