Nearly all of us have burned ourselves a time or two doing something at home, like cooking on the stove or pulling a dish out of the oven. While major burns need to be seen and treated by medical professionals, minor burn treatment at home can often be effective.
The goal of at-home burn treatment is twofold—you want to ease the discomfort of the burn while also helping the skin heal. But even when you’re treating a seemingly minor burn, you’ll want to take careful care of your skin.
When a Burn Can Be Treated at Home
Not all burns can or should be cared for at home. Only minor burns should be treated without medical attention. What’s considered a minor burn? The National Library of Medicine defines a minor burn as a first-degree burn anywhere on the body or a second-degree burn smaller than 2 to 3 inches wide.
A first-degree burn affects only the top layer of the skin, causing it to redden and become painful. You may also experience some swelling around the burn. If you’ve ever had a sunburn, which is often a first-degree burn, you’re likely familiar with these symptoms.
Second- and third-degree burns go beyond the surface level of the skin. A second-degree burn goes one layer deeper and can cause blistering, redness, swelling and more intense pain. A third-degree burn affects the deepest layers of the skin, causing your skin to turn white or black and become numb in some cases.
Dos & Don’ts When Caring for a Minor Burn
If you’ve experienced a minor burn, you can probably safely treat your burn at home. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends some basics for minor burn treatment:
- Do cool the burn. Immerse the burned area in cool water or apply a cool, wet cloth to the area.
- Don’t apply topical antibiotics or ointments on the burned area. And while you may have heard to apply butter or toothpaste to ease the sting of a burn, it’s not recommended.
- Do apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly over the burn up to three times per day. The jelly creates a waterproof layer that protects the skin as it heals.
- Don’t pop blisters, if any appear. While they can be uncomfortable and aesthetically unpleasing, blisters help protect the burned area as new skin forms, keeping germs and other irritants out.
- Do cover the burn with a non-stick, sterile bandage. This will serve as an additional barrier in keeping germs out of the broken and healing skin.
- Don’t expose the burned skin to the sun. Exposing already-damaged skin to the sun’s ultraviolet rays can worsen reddening, delay healing and increase the risk of scarring.
- Do take over-the-counter pain relievers as needed. A medication solely for pain, such as acetaminophen, or an anti-inflammatory, like ibuprofen, can help ease discomfort.
When to Seek Medical Care for a Burn
While minor burns can be treated at home, there are some situations where you should be seen by a medical provider. Even if you have a minor burn, seek medical attention if the burned skin doesn’t seem to be healing, if you develop a fever or if the burn is particularly painful.
You should seek medical attention for second-degree burns larger than 2 to 3 inches wide, as well as second-degree burns on the hands or feet, face, groin or buttocks, or on any major joint. Third-degree burns always need prompt medical treatment, since they can cause scarring or even disability.
It’s also a good idea to have a burn checked out by a medical provider if the person who was burned is younger than age 4 or older than age 60. Young children and older adults have a higher risk of complications due to burns.
When you need medical care for a burn or another non-emergency condition, we’re here to help! Magnolia Express Care offers the urgent care services you need in a quick and convenient setting.
