There are 3 levels of burns:

  • First-degree burns affect only the outer layer of the skin. They cause pain, redness, and swelling.
  • Second-degree burns affect both the outer and underlying layer of skin. They cause pain, redness, swelling, and blistering. They are also called partial thickness burns.
  • Third-degree burns affect the deep layers of skin. They are also called full thickness burns. They cause white or blackened, burned skin. The skin may be numb.

Burns fall into 2 groups.

Minor burns are:

  • First degree burns anywhere on the body
  • Second degree burns less than 2 to 3 inches (5 to 7.5 centimeters) wide

Major burns include:

  • Third-degree burns
  • Second-degree burns more than 2 to 3 inches (5 to 7.5 centimeters) wide
  • Second-degree burns on the hands, feet, face, groin, buttocks, or over a major joint

You can have more than 1 type of burn at a time.

Severe burns need urgent medical care. This can help prevent scarring, disability, and deformity.

Burns on the face, hands, feet, and genitals can be particularly serious.

Children under age 4 and adults over age 60 have a higher chance of complications and death from severe burns because their skin tends to be thinner than in other age groups.

Burn Symptoms

Burn symptoms can include:

  • Blisters that are either intact (unbroken) or have ruptured and are leaking fluid
  • Pain (How much pain you have is unrelated to the level of burn. The most serious burns can be painless.)
  • Peeling skin
  • Shock (Watch for pale and clammy skin, weakness, blue lips and fingernails, and a drop in alertness.)
  • Swelling
  • Red, white, or charred skin

If you have burned your airways, you may have:

  • Burns on the head, face, neck, eyebrows, or nose hairs
  • Burned lips and mouth
  • Coughing
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Dark, black-stained mucus
  • Voice changes
  • Wheezing

Burn First Aid

Before giving first aid, it is important to determine what type of burn the person has. If you are not sure, treat it as a major burn. Serious burns need medical care right away. Call your local emergency number or 911.

Minor Burns

If the skin is unbroken:

  • Run cool water over the area of the burn or soak it in a cool water bath (not ice water). Keep the area under water for at least 5 minutes. A clean, cold, wet towel will help reduce pain.
  • Calm and reassure the person.
  • After flushing or soaking the burn, cover it with a dry, sterile bandage or clean dressing.
  • Protect the burn from pressure and friction.
  • Over-the-counter ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help relieve pain and swelling. Do NOT give aspirin to children under 12.
  • Once the skin has cooled, moisturizing lotion also can help.

Minor burns will often heal without further treatment. Make sure the person is up to date on their tetanus immunization.

Major Burns

If someone is on fire, tell the person to stop, drop, and roll. Then, follow these steps:

  • Wrap the person in thick material; such as a wool or cotton coat, rug, or blanket. This helps put out the flames.
  • Pour water on the person.
  • Call 911 or your local emergency number.
  • Make sure that the person is no longer touching any burning or smoking materials.
  • Do not remove burned clothing that is stuck to the skin.
  • Make sure the person is breathing. If necessary, begin rescue breathing and CPR.
  • Cover the burn area with a dry sterile bandage (if available) or clean cloth. A sheet will do if the burned area is large. Do not apply any ointments. Avoid breaking burn blisters.
  • If fingers or toes have been burned, separate them with dry, sterile, non-sticky bandage.
  • Raise the body part that is burned above the level of the heart.
  • Protect the burn area from pressure and friction.
  • If an electrical injury may have caused the burn, do not touch the victim directly. Use a non-metallic object to move the person away from exposed wires before starting first aid.

You will also need to prevent shock. If the person does not have a head, neck, back, or leg injury, follow these steps:

  • Lay the person flat
  • Raise the feet about 12 inches (30 centimeters)
  • Cover the person with a coat or blanket

Continue to monitor the person's pulse, rate of breathing, and blood pressure until medical help arrives.

What Not to Do

Things that should not be done for burns include:

  • Do not apply ointment, butter, ice, medicines, cream, oil spray, or any household remedy to a severe burn.
  • Do not breathe, blow, or cough on the burn.
  • Do not disturb blistered or dead skin.
  • Do not remove clothing that is stuck to the skin.
  • Do not give the person anything by mouth, if there is a severe burn.
  • Do not place a severe burn in cold water. This can cause shock.
  • Do not place a pillow under the person's head if there is an airways burn. This can close the airways.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call 911 or your local emergency number if:

  • The burn is very large, about the size of your palm or larger.
  • The burn is severe (third degree).
  • You aren't sure how serious it is.
  • The burn is caused by chemicals or electricity.
  • The person shows signs of shock.
  • The person breathed in smoke.
  • Physical abuse is the known or suspected cause of the burn.
  • There are other symptoms associated with the burn.

For minor burns, call your health care provider if you still have pain after 48 hours.

Call a provider right away if signs of infection develop. These signs include:

  • Drainage or pus from the burned skin
  • Fever
  • Increased pain
  • Red streaks spreading from the burn
  • Swollen lymph nodes

Also call a provider right away if symptoms of dehydration occur with a burn:

  • Decreased urination
  • Dizziness
  • Dry skin
  • Headache
  • Lightheadedness
  • Nausea (with or without vomiting)
  • Thirst

Children, older people, and anyone with a weakened immune system (for example, from HIV) should be seen right away.

Burn Prevention

To help prevent burns:

  • Install smoke alarms in your home. Check and change batteries regularly.
  • Teach children about fire safety and the danger of matches and fireworks.
  • Keep children from climbing on top of a stove or grabbing hot items such as irons and oven doors.
  • Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove so that children can't grab them and they can't accidentally be knocked over.
  • Place fire extinguishers in key locations at home, work, and school.
  • Remove electrical cords from floors and keep them out of reach.
  • Know about and practice fire escape routes at home, work, and school.
  • Set the water heater temperature at 120°F (48.8°C) or less.

Burn Outreach Education

Our Burn Outreach Education Team is available to offer presentations for your group or classroom. Classes on fire and burn prevention and home safety are available.

Our staff also offers burn care education for pre-hospital providers, emergency department nurses and physicians.

For more information please contact:

Shawn Griffin RN, BSN
Trauma/Burn Outreach Coordinator
Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center
ssgriffi@wakehealth.edu
336-716-0685