1
⚡ IMMEDIATE FIRST AID: Do This Now
Stop reading and do this immediately if you haven’t already.
- Cool the Burn: Run cool tap water over the burn for 10 to 20 minutes.
- Alternative: If you can’t run water over it, apply a cold, wet washcloth.
- Why? This stops the burning process and reduces pain.
- Don’t: Do not use ice, butter, or grease. These can damage the skin further.
- Remove Clothing: Take off clothing covering the burn unless it is stuck to the skin.
2
🔍 Assess the Severity: What Degree is it?
Once the burn is cooled, look at the skin to determine how bad it is.
| Type | Appearance | Pain Level | Action |
| 1st Degree | Red skin, dry, no blisters. (Like a mild sunburn). | Painful. | Treat at Home. |
| 2nd Degree | Red skin with blisters, swelling, and wetness. | Very Painful. | See Doctor if blisters are large or open. |
| 3rd Degree | White, leather-like, or charred/black skin. No blisters. | Painless (because nerves are damaged). | Emergency Care. |
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🚨 When to Get Help
Call 911 Now
- Breathing: Child is having trouble breathing, coughing, or was near fire/smoke/fumes.
- Size: A 2nd or 3rd-degree burn covers a large area of the body.
- Alertness: Child is hard to wake up or confused.
Call Doctor Now or Go to ER
- Location: Burn is on the Face, Eye, Eyelid, Hands, Feet, or Genitals.
- Circumferential: The burn goes all the way around an arm or leg (like a bracelet). This can cut off circulation.
- Appearance: Center of the burn is white, black, or charred (3rd Degree).
- Cause:
- Electrical Burn: (e.g., bit a cord, touched an outlet). Note: These burns cause internal damage you cannot see.
- Chemical Burn: (e.g., acid or drain cleaner).
- Explosion: Caused by fireworks or gunpowder.
- Blisters: You see blisters and your child has not had a Tetanus shot.
- Pain: Severe pain lasts more than 2 hours after taking pain medicine.
Contact in 24hrs
- Blisters: You see a blister larger than ½ inch (12 mm).
- Tetanus Status:
- Minor burn: Last shot was > 10 years ago.
- Dirty/Bad burn: Last shot was > 5 years ago.
- Infection: Signs of infection appear (red streaks, increasing redness, pus).
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🏠 Home Care (For 1st Degree & Small Blisters)
If the burn is minor (redness only) or has very small closed blisters, you can treat it at home.
1. Managing Pain
- Medicines: Give Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or Ibuprofen (Advil) immediately to help with the throbbing.
- Cold Packs: Continue using a cold, wet washcloth on the area for pain relief as needed.
2. Cleaning the Burn
- Wash the area gently with warm water.
- Do not use soap initially (it can slow healing). Only use soap if the wound looks dirty.
3. Handling Blisters
- Closed Blisters: Do NOT pop them. The bubble is a natural sterile bandage protecting the raw skin underneath.
- Open Blisters: If a blister breaks, wash the area gently with water. Apply an antibiotic ointment (like bacitracin) and cover with a non-stick bandage.
4. Healing Process
- Most burns hurt for about 2-3 days.
- The skin will likely peel (like a sunburn) in about a week.
- 1st and 2nd-degree burns usually do not scar.
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- No Ice: Ice can cause frostbite on damaged skin.
- No Butter/Grease: This traps heat inside the burn and increases infection risk.
- No Cotton Balls: Do not use fluffy cotton to clean the burn; the fibers will stick to the wound.
Medically Reviewed by Dr Michael Villadelgado
Disclaimer: This information is
for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how
you
use it. If you are unsure, always call your doctor.