First aid treatment for minor burns

A minor burn is usually limited to a small area of skin and may look red, sore, and mildly swollen. A blister can form. The skin may remain sensitive while it heals. Burns from flames, hot liquid, steam, chemicals, or electricity can cause deeper injury than the surface first suggests.

Do not break blisters, pull away stuck clothing, apply ice, or spread butter, oil, toothpaste, or other household products over the injury. These actions can damage skin or make later assessment harder.

Move away from the heat source. Cool the burn with cool running water for about twenty minutes when possible, removing rings, watches, or tight clothing before swelling develops. Do not remove material stuck to the skin. After cooling, cover the area with a sterile non-stick dressing or clean cling film placed loosely.

Keep the dressing clean and dry, and avoid rubbing the area. A pharmacist or clinician can advise about pain relief and dressing changes. Check the skin for increasing redness, swelling, discharge, or worsening pain.

Get urgent help for burns involving the face, hands, feet, genitals, major joints, or a large area; deep white, charred, or numb skin; electrical or chemical burns; inhalation of smoke; or burns in a young child, older adult, or person with significant illness.

Arrange assessment if blisters are extensive, pain is difficult to control, or the wound develops spreading redness, pus, fever, or a bad smell. Call emergency services for breathing difficulty or facial swelling.

Ask which dressing suits the burn, how often to change it, how to manage pain, and which changes would suggest infection or deeper injury.