What To Put on a Burn: Your Essential First Aid Guide

Burns are a common injury, resulting from damage to skin tissue caused by various sources such as hot liquids, flames, sunlight, chemicals, electricity, and steam. Particularly in households with children, kitchen mishaps involving hot beverages, soups, and microwaved meals are frequent causes of burns.

While severe burns require immediate medical attention, minor burns can typically be managed effectively with appropriate first aid at home. Knowing what to do, and importantly, What To Put On A Burn, in those initial moments is crucial for minimizing damage and promoting healing.

When to Seek Emergency Help for a Burn

It’s vital to recognize when a burn necessitates urgent professional medical care. Call emergency services (911 in the US) or seek immediate medical attention for burns that exhibit any of the following characteristics:

• Depth: Burns that are deep, affecting all layers of the skin.
• Appearance: Skin that appears dry and leathery, possibly charred, or displaying patches of white, brown, or black coloration.
• Size: Burns larger than 3 inches (approximately 8 centimeters) in diameter.
• Location: Burns situated on sensitive areas such as the hands, feet, face, groin, buttocks, or major joints, or burns that encircle a limb (arm or leg).
• Inhalation: Burns accompanied by smoke inhalation.
• Swelling: Burns that begin to swell very rapidly.

Electrical burns, including those caused by lightning, and significant chemical burns are always considered medical emergencies. Even minor burns may require emergency care if they involve the eyes, mouth, hands, or genitals. Infants and elderly individuals may also need emergency medical evaluation for burns that might be considered minor in healthy adults.

First Aid Treatment for Burns

The treatment approach for burns is determined by their severity.

First Aid for Major Burns

In cases of major burns, immediate first aid is critical while awaiting emergency medical responders:

• Ensure Safety: Protect the burned individual from further harm. If it is safe to do so, ensure they are no longer in contact with the burn source. For electrical burns, confirm the power source is off before approaching.
• Check Breathing: Verify the person is breathing. If necessary, and if you are trained, begin rescue breathing.
• Remove Restrictive Items: Quickly remove jewelry, belts, and other constricting items, especially from the burned area and around the neck, as burned areas swell rapidly.
• Cover the Burn: Loosely cover the burn area with sterile gauze or a clean cloth.
• Elevate the Burned Area: If possible, raise the burned area above heart level to help reduce swelling.
• Monitor for Shock: Observe for signs of shock, which can include cool, clammy skin, a weak pulse, and shallow breathing.

First Aid for Minor Burns: What To Put on a Burn

For minor burns, prompt and appropriate first aid can significantly aid recovery. Here’s what to put on a burn and how to administer first aid:

• Cool the Burn Immediately: The most important first step is to cool the burn. Hold the burned area under cool — not cold — running water for approximately 10 minutes. This helps to reduce the skin temperature and minimize further tissue damage. If running water isn’t feasible, or if the burn is on the face, apply a cool, wet compress until the pain subsides. For mouth burns from hot food or drink, allow a small piece of ice to dissolve in the mouth for a few minutes.
• Remove Rings and Tight Items: Gently and quickly remove rings, bracelets, or other tight items from the burned area before swelling occurs.
• Apply Moisturizing Lotion: Once the burn is cooled, apply a moisturizing lotion. Options such as aloe vera gel or cocoa butter lotion can be beneficial. These help to keep the skin hydrated and prevent excessive dryness, which can be uncomfortable and hinder healing. This is a crucial step in what to put on a burn for ongoing care.
• Bandage the Burn: Cover the burn with a clean, sterile bandage. Wrap it loosely to avoid putting pressure on the burned skin. Bandaging helps protect the burn from air exposure, which can reduce pain, and it also safeguards any blistered skin from infection.
• Pain Relief: If needed, over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be taken to manage pain.

What Not To Put on a Burn: Avoid These Common Mistakes

Knowing what not to put on a burn is just as important as knowing what to apply. Avoid these common mistakes:

• Cold Water Extremes: Do not use ice-cold water or ice directly on a burn. While cooling is important, excessively cold water can further damage the tissue. Cool, running water is ideal.
• Breaking Blisters: Do not intentionally break blisters. Blisters are a natural part of the healing process and serve to protect the underlying skin from infection. If a blister breaks on its own, gently clean the area with water and apply a thin layer of antibiotic ointment.
• Removing Stuck Clothing: Do not attempt to remove clothing that is stuck to the burn. This should be done by medical professionals to avoid causing further injury.

When To Consult a Doctor After a Burn

While many minor burns heal without complications, there are situations when medical follow-up is recommended.

• Tetanus Booster: If your tetanus vaccination is not up-to-date (within the last five years) and the burn is deep or involves broken skin, you may need a tetanus booster shot. Ideally, this should be administered within 48 hours of the burn injury.
• Signs of Infection: Watch for signs of infection such as increased pain, redness, swelling, pus, or fever. If these develop, seek medical attention promptly.
• Burns That Don’t Heal: If a minor burn does not show signs of healing within a week or two, consult your doctor.

By understanding what to put on a burn and following proper first aid procedures, you can effectively manage minor burns and know when it’s essential to seek professional medical help.

References

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3. Mass casualties: Burns. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/masstrauma/factsheets/public/burns.pdf. Accessed Dec. 14, 2021.
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