What should you know about burn marks on skin?

Redness, darkening, stinging, warmth and visible marks can follow contact with a product, friction, sun exposure or a true burn. Burning without an obvious injury may occur with contact dermatitis, rosacea, or shingles. Contact dermatitis often follows exposure and may itch or blister. Rosacea commonly affects the central face with flushing and sensitivity. Shingles can cause pain or burning followed by a one-sided blistering rash. The same sensation can have different causes, so location and sequence are useful clues.

Move away from a suspected irritant and rinse exposed skin gently with cool or lukewarm water. Avoid scrubbing, fragranced products, essential oils and exfoliants while the skin is reactive. Do not apply ice directly to a burn. Use a bland moisturiser only if the skin surface is intact, and take photographs if the mark is changing. A clinician can match treatment to the cause rather than treating redness alone.

Get prompt medical advice for severe pain, blistering, open skin, facial or eye involvement, spreading redness, pus, fever, or a chemical or electrical injury. Seek same-day assessment for a painful one-sided rash with blisters, since early treatment may be time-sensitive. Emergency care is needed for breathing difficulty, swelling of the lips or tongue, faintness, or a rapidly spreading reaction.

Tell the clinician when the burning began, what touched the skin, whether the area itches or blisters, and whether the rash is one-sided. Ask which products to stop, how to protect the skin, and whether a prescription is needed.