Knowing first aid measures for minor burns can help the healing process and maintain personal safety. Although more severe cases of burns always require professional medical attention, learning how to treat and heal minor burns is not difficult. Learn first aid, follow-up treatment, and home remedies that are effective in treating minor burns.
Step
Method 1 of 3: First Aid
Step 1. Wash minor burns with cold running water
If a minor burn has just occurred, rinse under cold running water. Cold water can immediately cool and minimize the size of the burn. For now, don't use soap. Wash with cold water only.
- Do not wash more severe burns. If the burn looks blackish and smells burnt, do not rinse the wound with water. Immediately call the emergency department.
- Do not immerse the burn in water. Gently wash minor burns, then pat dry with a clean towel.
Step 2. Cool the burn for 5-10 minutes
Once cooled with water, apply a clean cold compress to the burn. This will help relieve pain and minimize swelling and blisters that can occur with minor burns.
Some people prefer to use ice cubes, a bag of frozen vegetables, or other frozen objects instead of a cold compress. Do not apply cold compresses to the burn for more than 5-10 minutes. Burned skin loses sensitivity to temperature so frostbite can occur. Therefore, limit the duration of using cold compresses
Step 3. Check the burn after a few minutes
Even though it may seem relatively mild, treat the burn carefully so it doesn't become severe. Sometimes, a severe burn becomes numb and only hurts after a while. Learn about different degrees of burn severity so you can plan the right treatment:
- 1 degree burn. These sores only occur on the top layer of the skin. Signs of this burn include pain, redness, and mild swelling. These burns usually do not require professional medical treatment.
- 2nd degree burn. These sores also only occur on the top layer of the skin, but are more severe. Signs of this burn include red and white patches of skin, blisters, swelling, and more severe pain.
- 3rd degree burn. These sores reach the lower layers of the skin as well as the underlying fatty tissue. Some cases of more severe 3rd degree burns can reach muscle or even bone. Signs of these burns include black or white scorch marks on the skin, shortness of breath, severe pain, and inhalation of smoke.
Step 4. Continue to use a cold compress if it still hurts
Apply a cold washcloth or other clean compress to minor burns to relieve pain. Cold compresses help relieve pain and swelling in minor burns. Blister burns are more painful over a longer period of time. So, as much as possible, minimize swelling.
Step 5. Raise the lightly burnt area so that it is higher than your heart
Sometimes even a minor burn will be throbbing and painful for the first few hours. If you can, relieve pain by elevating the burned area so that it is higher than your heart.
Step 6. Call the emergency department immediately if you have severe burns
All cases of third-degree burns require immediate medical attention. 2nd degree burns that are more than 7.5 cm or occur on the hands, feet, face, genital area, or major joints and sensitive areas should also be consulted with a doctor.
Method 2 of 3: Advanced Handling
Step 1. Gently clean the lightly burnt area with soap and water
Once the swelling and pain has subsided, clean the minor burn with water and a mild soap. Dry and keep the burn clean to prevent infection.
Step 2. If necessary, apply an over-the-counter topical cream
To minimize swelling and protect the burn from dirt, apply an ordinary store-bought ointment or balm. Aloe vera gel or cream and low-dose hydrocortisone are often used to treat minor burns.
- If the burn blisters, apply an antibiotic cream and cover the blister with a bandage for about 10 hours. Then, remove the bandage.
- Mild, unscented moisturizers are sometimes also applied to minor burns. This will help prevent the skin in the burn area from cracking. Wait for the burn to heal slightly before applying moisturizer.
Step 3. Do not bandage minor burns
Very minor burns don't need dressing, but just need to be kept clean and dry so they heal in a few days.
Blister burns generally need to be wrapped loosely with a bandage. If it hurts, loosely cover the burn with a bandage or gauze for protection
Step 4. Leave the small blister alone
Blisters should not be cracked because they protect and help heal the underlying burn. The blisters will heal on their own within a few days, as long as they are kept clean and dry.
Large blisters should be consulted with a doctor. If needed, your doctor can pop or remove the blisters, which you shouldn't do on your own
Step 5. Wear loose clothing on the part of the body that has the burn
To avoid irritation, keep the burn exposed to air and dry. Wear loose cotton clothing that allows air circulation to reach the burn.
If burns occur on fingers or hands, remove rings, bracelets, or watches and wear short sleeves. As much as possible, do not irritate the burn area
Step 6. If necessary, take over-the-counter pain relievers
If the burn is painful, take pain relievers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, which are effective at relieving both pain and swelling. Use the medicine according to the directions on the package.
Method 3 of 3: Home Remedies
Step 1. Apply aloe vera gel
Moisturizers and aloe vera gel are effective in relieving and cooling minor burns. Natural oils derived from the aloe vera plant or aloe vera creams that can be purchased at stores can also be used.
Some moisturizers and lotions advertised as containing "aloe vera" actually contain very little aloe. Read the list of ingredients listed on the product packaging. Do not use scented lotions that contain aluminum
Step 2. Apply lavender and coconut oil
Lavender essential oil is believed to have therapeutic properties that are effective in treating cuts, abrasions, and minor burns that only injure the top layer of skin. However, essential oils can also cause skin irritation. So mix essential oils with a cooling oil, such as coconut oil, which also has antimicrobial properties.
The French scientist who pioneered the use of lavender oil as a home remedy allegedly suffered burns while in the laboratory and immediately dipped his burned hand in a container of lavender oil so that it healed quickly
Step 3. Apply vinegar
Some people believe that applying a small amount of diluted vinegar to a minor burn can help relieve pain and speed up the healing process. If you experience a minor burn, immediately wash the wound with cold water, then apply a wet washcloth that has been given a few drops of vinegar. The washcloth also acts as a cooling compress.
Step 4. Use potato wedges
Potato wedges, instead of bandages, are sometimes used in remote areas, especially to treat burns. Potato peels are antibacterial and don't stick to the wound, which can be painful.
Clean the wound well before and after trying this method. Do not let any remaining potatoes are left in the wound. Wash potatoes before use
Step 5. Home remedies should only be used for very minor burns
If the burn doesn't heal even after washing with cold water and treating it with over-the-counter medications, talk to your doctor. Do not try to treat severe burns with untested home remedies.
- Petrolatum or Vaseline are generally believed to soothe burns. However, that is not true. Vaseline is moisture resistant so it can cause the wound to dry out. Vaseline actually has no healing properties so it should not be used to treat burns.
- Some people think that toothpaste, butter, and other cooking ingredients can be used to treat burns. However, this opinion is not scientifically proven at all. Do not use toothpaste to treat burns.
