First- and Second-Degree Burns

Home care

Follow these guidelines when caring for yourself at home.

• On the first day, you may put a cool compress on the burn to relieve severe pain. You can use a small towel soaked in cool water as a cool compress. Don't use ice. It can cause more damage to the skin.

• If a bandage was applied by the doctor, change it once a day, unless you were told otherwise. If the bandage sticks, soak it off under cool, clean, running water.

• Before you change a bandage, wash your hands. Then wash the area with soap and clean, running water to remove any cream, ointment, ooze, or scab. You may do this in a sink, under a tub faucet, or in the shower. Rinse off the soap, and pat the area dry with a clean towel. Look for any signs of infection listed below.

• Put on any prescribed cream or ointment to prevent infection. This also keeps the bandage from sticking.

• Cover the burn with nonstick gauze. Then wrap it with the bandage material.

• Change the bandage as soon as you can if it gets wet or dirty.

• Unless a pain medicine was prescribed, use over-the-counter medicine as directed by the doctor to control pain. If you have chronic liver or kidney disease, talk with your doctor before using acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Also talk with your doctor if you’ve had a stomach ulcer or gastrointestinal bleeding.

• Eat more calories and protein until the wound is healed. Drink plenty of water. This is more important for very large burns that occupy a large surface area.

• Wear a hat, sunscreen, and long sleeves while in the sun to protect your skin.

• Don’t pick or scratch at the affected areas. Keep your fingernails trimmed short.

• Wear loose-fitting clothing.

Follow-up care

Follow up with your doctor as advised. Most burns heal without becoming infected. Sometimes an infection may occur even with proper treatment. Be sure to check the burn daily for the signs of infection listed below.

When to seek medical advice

Contact your doctor right away if you have any signs of infection, such as:

• Pain in the wound that gets worse.

• Redness or swelling that gets worse.

• Pus coming from the wound.

• Red streaks in your skin around the burn.

• A fever of 100.4ºF (38ºC) or higher, or as directed by your doctor.

• Wounds that don’t appear to be healing.

• Nausea or vomiting.