How to Treat a Serious Burn

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Burns can come from many sources, and may be mild, moderate, or severe. Some severe burns may cause extreme pain and discomfort on the top layer or skin, called the epidermis. Other severe burns may penetrate below the epidermis to the dermal layer and cause pain, blistering, and scarring. A severe burn should always be treated by a doctor or medical professional. However, administering first aid until the burn can be seen by a doctor may help manage pain and stop some symptoms from progressing.

Things You Should Know

  • Assess the damage and figure out whether it’s a first, second, or third-degree burn; remove the burning agent and any hot or smoldering material.
  • Cool the burn and cover it with a clean bandage; stay in a position that prevents shock, manage the pain with medication, and follow up with a doctor.
  • For third-degree burns, call emergency services; protect the burn with a non-stick bandage and elevate the legs slightly to avoid shock.
  • Get rid of contaminated gear and wash a chemical burn, unplug the source of the shock for electrical burns, and wash plastic burns before bandaging them.
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Treating a First or Second-Degree Burn

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  1. Check to see if the burn is a first, second, or third-degree burn. If the burn was caused by chemicals, an electrical shock, or molten tar or plastic, understand that burn will require different first aid than a burn caused by a thermal source such as fire.
    • First-degree burns only impact the top layer of skin. These burns do no blister. Though they may be painful, they often heal in under a week, and do not scar.
    • Second-degree burns extend beneath the top layer of the skin into the dermis. These burns usually blister, and cause pink, moist injuries that may heal with some scarring.
    • Third-degree burns extend all the way through the dermis. They may or may not have blisters, and often appear white, brown, bright red, or black. They may or may not peel.
    • When evaluating people with severe body burns, you have to assess the burn damage. This is accomplished by the rule of 9’s. This helps guide clinical decisions such as fluid resuscitation and pain control. Clinicians use this in severe traumatic third degree burns over a large surface area of the body.
  2. No matter what type of burn a person is experiencing, the first step in treating it is to smother or remove the burning agent. This means putting out the fire, or otherwise removing any hot liquid, steam, chemicals, or electrical components from the person’s skin. [1]
    • If a person has contact with fire, get them out of the way of the fire source. If necessary, help them “stop, drop, and roll” to extinguish the flames.
    • Chemicals should be removed with care. Gloves and protection for the eyes, mouth, and nose should be worn while handling chemicals that may cause burning. Never put an alkali on an acid burn, and never put an acid on an alkali burn. Use copious amounts of water to dilute the alkali or acid/chemical burn.
    • Electrical components should be handled with care, as well. If possible, allow a professional to intervene in the situation. In most situations, it is unlikely that you will have to pull someone away from an active electrical component.
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  3. Remove any clothes and other material from the burned area. If fabric is sticking, cut around it to expose as much of the burn as possible. [2]
    • Do not try to remove sticking fabric or embedded objects from the skin. Leave this to a trained medical professional so as to avoid further injury.
    • Remove all restrictive clothing such as jewelry and belts, and loosen ties, shirt cuffs, and collars. Burns can cause rapid swelling, and restriction may cause further injury.
  4. Cool the burned skin using cool water or a cool compress. [3] Avoid applying ice or near-freezing water to the burned area, as this can constrict blood flow to the burn and worsen the injury.
    • If possible, cool the burn by placing it under clean running water for up to 20 minutes at a time. If running water is not practical, the burn may be placed in a bowl or tub of cool water.
    • A cool compress may be used to treat first degree burns if a constant running water source is not available. You may find one in a first-aid kit, or make one using cool water and a clean towel. Hold it over the burn for no more than 20 minutes.
  5. Apply a protective covering to the burn such as a sterile, non-adhesive bandage or a clean cloth. Do not use an adhesive bandage or previously-used gauze.
    • Avoid applying ointments or other treatments to the burnt area, as this may cause infection.
    • Wrap dry gauze or a burn dressing loosely around the burnt area. Do not apply too much pressure or constrict the burn with the dressing.
  6. Do not pop any blisters that may have resulted as a part of the burn. Wrap the blisters loosely in the same way as the rest of the burn, and keep them from any stress that may cause them to rupture.
    • If a blister does pop, keep it wrapped in a sterile dressing. Do not apply an ointments or other treatments, as these may cause infections.
  7. Keep the burn victim in a position that helps prevent shock by laying the person down and elevating their legs and the burn area above the level of their heart, if possible. Use props or furniture to help the individual hold the pose, and cover them with a coat or blanket. [4]
    • Do not move the individual if they have injuries around the head and neck or spinal area unless you have been trained to do so by a reputable first-aid program. Moving them incorrectly with such injuries could result in permanent damage to the body or brain.
    • Shock is one of the more serious concerns of a large 2nd or 3rd degree burn and should be dealt with in a burn unit or ICU, or the burn victim may die.
  8. An over-the-counter pain medication such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help manage the pain for a first-degree burn. [5] Take as recommended on the manufacturer’s packaging. [6]
  9. All burns should be seen by a doctor, even first-degree burns. Follow up with your doctor when you can get an appointment. Request expedited service if you or the burnt individual believe a tetanus booster is necessary, or if you notice symptoms like: [8]
    • Oozing
    • Swelling
    • Fever
    • Worsening redness
    • Increased pain
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Treating a Third Degree Burn

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  1. First-aid can be administered to help third-degree burns while waiting for medical attention, but such severe burns always require treatment by a medical professional. Call emergency services, such as 9-1-1 in the US, and let them know a severe burn needs treatment. [9]
    • Be prepared to tell the dispatcher your location, what happened to cause the burn, and about the severity of the burn.
    • Request an ambulance be sent immediately. It is not advisable for untrained individuals to transport someone suffering from a severe burn unless absolutely necessary.
  2. Loosely cover the burn with a sterile, non-stick bandage such as gauze or a burn dressing. If the individual has sustained a large burn, a clean, lint-free sheet or other non-linting fabric may be used.
    • Use a sterile dressing to separate burned fingers and toes in addition to any other dressings being applied to the burn.
    • Do not soak or cool the burn prior to dressing it, and do not use any ointments or topical treatments on the burn. These may lead to infection.
    • Do not remove any clothing or other material stuck to the burn area.
  3. Lay the person down flat and elevate the legs slightly and the burned area to above the level of the heart, if possible. Use props to help them keep this position without exerting great effort. Do not move the person if they have sustained additional injury to their head, neck, or spine.
    • Cover the person with a blanket or jacket once they are in position.
    • Monitor the person’s heart rate either on their wrist or on their neck, if possible, and watch for a rising and falling chest to indicate breathing. Do this until emergency help arrives.
  4. Emergency services should bring the burn victim to a local hospital. There, doctors can treat the burn and additional injuries, as well as provide fluids and oxygen as necessary.
    • Once the individual has been treated, ask the doctor about what is expected for aftercare, as well as follow-up visits. Try asking, 'What kind of aftercare will be required to make sure the burn heals properly? When will the burn need to be seen by a doctor again?"
    • Stick to the doctor’s prescribed aftercare routine and medicines as precisely as possible. Keep all follow-up appointments during recovery.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Caring for Non-Thermal Burns

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  1. Chemical burns are generally best cared for by removing the victim from the contaminated area and removing contaminated clothing. From there, dilute the chemical on the skin by washing it consistently with fresh, running water. Wash the affected area for at least 20 minutes. [10]
    • Chemical burns can be caused by a number of products, including household cleaners such as drain cleaners which contain sulphuric acid, refrigerant which contains hydrofluoric acid, and bleach.
    • If available, use a chemical shower or eye rinse station to rinse the burn. Use copious amounts of water to dilute the chemical burn.
    • Even if the burn is small or isolated, contact a doctor immediately to assess whether the victim should come in for care and to discuss treatment.
  2. Unplug the source of the electrical shock if possible, or stand on a rubber mat in a dry area and use a dry wooden object to push the person away from the electrical source. Once contact with the electrical source has been broken, check for a heartbeat and see if the individual responds to talk or touch. [11]
    • After the individual has been safely removed from the electrical source, call emergency services immediately. Major electrical burns may come with other complications that need immediate medical treatment.
    • Even minor electrical burns should be examined by a doctor as soon as possible.
    • Never directly touch a live electrical source or a person caught in such a source yourself.
  3. If a burn results from molten plastic or tar, immediately cool the plastic or tar by running it under cool water. Do not peel off the plastic or tar. Instead, use mineral oil to see if you can remove it. Then, treat the burned skin by washing it with cool water and loosely bandaging it in a clean dressing. [12]
    • Contact your doctor if you cannot gently remove the plastic or tar from your skin, or if you experience excess pain from the burn.
    • Do not dress the exposed burn with any ointments, as these may cause infection.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    Is there anything I can put on my burn to help it heal?
    Mohiba Tareen, MD
    FAAD Board Certified Dermatologist
    Mohiba Tareen is a board certified Dermatologist and the founder of Tareen Dermatology located in Roseville, Maplewood and Faribault, Minnesota. Dr. Tareen completed medical school at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where she was inducted into the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha honor society. While a dermatology resident at Columbia University in New York City, she won the Conrad Stritzler award of the New York Dermatologic Society and was published in The New England Journal of Medicine. Dr. Tareen then completed a procedural fellowship which focused on dermatologic surgery, laser, and cosmetic dermatology.
    Mohiba Tareen, MD
    FAAD Board Certified Dermatologist
    Expert Answer
    If you want to relieve pain, you can apply a cold compress with milk or pure aloe gel.
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      Tips

      • Always consult a medical professional after administering first aid to a burn. They will be able to determine if any additional treatment is necessary.
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      • Never treat any burn with ice, as this may cause greater injury to the area.
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      Warnings

      • Do not attempt to remove an individual from an electrical source if you cannot do so safely by avoiding direct contact with them.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000662.htm
      2. ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-burns/basics/art-20056649
      3. ↑ Mohiba Tareen, MD. FAAD Board Certified Dermatologist. Expert Interview. 26 March 2020.
      4. ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000030.htm
      5. ↑ Mohiba Tareen, MD. FAAD Board Certified Dermatologist. Expert Interview. 26 March 2020.
      6. ↑ http://surgery.med.miami.edu/burns/get-the-facts/burn-first-aid
      7. ↑ Mohiba Tareen, MD. FAAD Board Certified Dermatologist. Expert Interview. 26 March 2020.
      8. ↑ https://www.bettermedcare.com/is-it-a-serious-burn-learn-to-tell-when-your-burn-needs-a-doctor.html
      9. ↑ http://www.chw.org/medical-care/burn-program/burn-treatments/classification-and-treatment-of-burns/third-degree-burns/
      1. ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-chemical-burns/basics/art-20056667
      2. ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-electrical-burns/basics/art-20056687
      3. ↑ https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/Pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=not254525

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      If you have a serious burn, you should call emergency services if it has penetrated the top layer of your skin. You should also put out any fires on your body and remove any hot liquid, chemicals, or electrical components from your skin. Then, remove any of your clothes or other materials from the burned area to reduce further injury. You should then hold the wound under a cold tap or apply a cool compress for up to 20 minutes, especially for a chemical burn. For more tips from our Medical co-author, including how to treat a plastic burn, read on!

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