Burns: First aid

Burns are injuries to the skin or deeper tissues caused by heat, chemicals, electricity, sunlight, steam or other sources. Common causes of burns at home include hot liquids, grease fires, and contact with hot surfaces, such as a stove or iron.

Major burns need emergency medical help. Minor burns usually can be safely treated at home with first aid.

Call 911 or your local emergency services or go to the emergency room if a burn:

• Goes through all layers of skin.
• Makes the skin look dry or leathery.
• Makes the skin look charred, or has white, brown or black patches.
• Is larger than 3 inches (about 8 centimeters) across.
• Affects the face, hands, feet, genitals, buttocks or major joints, such as the knees, shoulders or elbows.
• Wraps around an arm or a leg.
• Happens along with smoke inhalation.
• Starts swelling very fast.

Get emergency medical help for burns caused by electricity, lightning or strong chemicals. Even a minor burn may need medical attention if it affects the eyes, mouth, hands or genitals. Babies and older adults might need emergency care for minor burns as well.

Major burns need emergency medical care. While waiting for help:

• Keep the person safe. Move the person away from the source of the burn if it's safe to do so. Make sure the power source is turned off before touching someone with an electrical burn.
• Check for breathing. If the person isn't breathing, start CPR if you know how.
• Remove tight items. Burns can swell quickly. Gently take off jewelry, belts or tight clothing from around burned areas before swelling starts. Don't pull off clothing stuck to the burned skin.
• Cover the burn. Loosely cover the area with a clean, dry cloth or sterile gauze.
• Raise the burned area. If possible, keep it above heart level.
• Watch for shock. Symptoms include cool, pale skin, a weak pulse or fast breathing. If you notice these symptoms, lay the person down and cover them with a clean, dry sheet or light blanket.

You can usually treat minor burns at home:

• Cool the burn. Run cool — not cold — water over the area for about 10 minutes. If the burn is on the face, apply a cool, wet cloth. For a mouth burn from hot food or liquid, hold a piece of ice in the mouth for a few minutes.
• Remove tight items. Gently take off rings or anything tight from around the burned area before swelling starts.
• Cover the burn. Use a clean, loose bandage to protect the area and reduce pain.
• Take a pain reliever you can buy without a prescription, if needed. Options include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), naproxen sodium (Aleve) or acetaminophen (Tylenol, others).
• Moisturize as the burn heals. After the burn has cooled and begins to heal, you can use a lotion that has aloe vera or cocoa butter to soothe the skin and prevent dryness.

• Don't use cold water to cool a burn. This can make the injury worse.
• Don't use butter, toothpaste or oil on the burn. These can trap heat, cause irritation and make the injury worse.
• Don't pull off clothing stuck to the burned skin.
• Don't pop blisters. They protect against infection. If a blister breaks, clean it gently with water and apply antibiotic ointment you can buy without a prescription.

If a burn is deep and you haven't had a tetanus shot in the past five years, you may need a booster shot.