Natural remedies for minor burns

A minor burn may be red, sore and sensitive, with limited blistering and a small affected area. Heat, steam, hot liquids, chemicals and electricity can all cause burns, but the cause changes how urgently the injury needs assessment. A burn can become more serious if it is deep, extensive, infected or located on a sensitive body area.

Do not judge severity only by pain: deeper burns may feel numb. Never break blisters, peel stuck clothing away, or apply butter, oil, toothpaste or ice. These actions can damage tissue or make later assessment harder.

Move away from the heat source and remove jewellery or loose clothing near the burn before swelling develops, but leave anything stuck to skin in place. Cool the burn with clean, cool running water for a sustained period, then cover it with a sterile non-stick dressing or clean loose material. Keep the person warm elsewhere.

Wash hands before touching the dressing and keep the area clean. A pharmacist can advise about pain relief and dressings that suit the injury. Follow wound-care instructions and watch for increasing redness, warmth, swelling, discharge or worsening pain.

Get urgent medical help for a burn involving the face, eyes, hands, feet, genitals or a major joint; a chemical or electrical burn; a burn that circles a limb; breathing difficulty; white, charred or numb skin; or a large or deep injury. Seek advice for a child, an older adult or anyone with diabetes or poor circulation. Professional minor burn treatment can confirm the depth and dressing needs.

Ask whether the burn needs a dressing change, which signs suggest infection, how to manage pain, and whether your vaccination history affects wound care.