How to Treat First Degree Burns

Video Transcript

CAPT. JOE BRUNI: Hi. I am Capt. Joe Bruni with over three decades of firefighting and emergency medical service experience. What we are going to talk about and discuss is how to treat the basic the basic first-degree burn. Burns can be caused by thermal conditions, electrical injuries, or chemical injuries. Most basic first-degree burns only involve a reddening of the skin. There will be no blistering or charring of that area. Simple cool water or a cold compress applied temporarily until pain relief is achieved is all that is needed to basically treat the first-degree burn. If one feels necessary, some type of sterile, clean dressing can be applied and taped down to that area temporarily. However, keep in mind any type of pressure or friction to that area will cause discomfort. Reiterating and remembering that treating the first-degree burn involves nothing more than applying some type of cool water or cold compress to the area for temporary pain relief. And once that is achieved, if necessary, some type of clean sterile dressing can be applied, remembering not to apply friction or pressure to this area as irritation will follow.