Skin Cures: Burn Treatments

Appropriate treatment for burns depends on the extent of the tissue damage, the cause of the burn, and whether or not infection is present. All burns (with the exception of mild, first-degree burns) require immediate medical attention because of the risk of infection, dehydration, and other potentially serious complications.

The following steps may be taken in an emergency situation:

• First-degree burns:
• Run cool water on burned area for 5 to 10 minutes or cover the area with a cool compress
• Take ibuprofen or acetaminophen to relieve pain and swelling

• Second-degree burns:
• Do not break blisters
• Do not remove clothing that is stuck to the skin
• Run cool water on burned area for 5 to 10 minutes or cover the area with a cool compress then carefully remove clothing
• Elevate burned area above the heart
• Take ibuprofen or acetaminophen to relieve pain and swelling
• If not near a medical facility, apply bacitracin ointment or honey on broken blisters to prevent infection (this is the only situation in which bacitracin or honey should be applied to burned skin)

• Third-degree burns:
• Call 911
• Check airway, breathing, and circulation
• Do not remove clothing that is stuck to the skin
• Run cool water continuously on burned area
• Elevate burned area above the heart
• People who have sustained serious burns will be admitted to a hospital where keeping the area clean and removing any dead tissue through a process called debridement are of the utmost importance.
• Medications will be used to reduce pain and prevent infection.
• A tetanus shot will be administered if the person has not had one in 5 or more years.

Burns are often accompanied by pain and anxiety, even during recovery. A person may also experience emotional distress if a burn alters his or her appearance.

Complementary therapies that may help a person alleviate such pain and anxiety include:

• Massage therapy
• Hypnosis
• Therapeutic touch
• Acupuncture

Proper nutrition is particularly important during the recovery phase, as certain vitamins and minerals have been shown to promote wound healing and prevent the spread of infection. Many traditional cultures also use herbs to treat burns, although the safety and effectiveness of these remedies are not well understood.

Medications

Antimicrobial ointments (such as silver sulfadiazine, mafenide, silver nitrate, and povidone-iodine) are frequently used to lower the occurrence of infection; bacitracin may be used for first-degree burns. Antibiotics (such as oxacillin, mezlocillin, and gentamicin) are used if infection is detected at the burn site; antibiotics will also probably be used if the risk of developing infection is high (for example, when the body surface area of the burn is large)

In the case of severe burns, removal of dead tissue, known as debridement, and skin grafting (transplanting a piece of skin from one part of the body to the damaged area) improves the recovery process. Cosmetic surgery may also be necessary to improve both the function and appearance of the burned area. LEARN MORE ABOUT BURNS

GREAT SKIN CARE MEDICINE