A burn can result from any source of excess heat that damages body tissue. Burns can be caused by the sun, radiation, chemicals, hot liquids, electrical devices, fire, and more. Burns can be minor or life-threatening, which is why knowing first aid treatment for burns is essential. Prompt attention can limit damage and promote healing.
Serious burns require emergency treatment. This article discusses the steps to take for a burn right away and when to seek medical care.
1. Identify 3 degree burns
Third-degree (full thickness): Affects the outer layers of skin as well as fat and other tissues, with the skin darkening or becoming white and tough looking. Third-degree burns may not hurt, as nerves may have been damaged.
2. What to Do Immediately After a Burn
If you or someone around you gets burned, these are some general steps you should take immediately:
Step away from the source of the burn.
Gently flush the area with cool water to reduce the temperature. Never use ice.1
Remove clothing from the wound unless it's sticking; in that case, leave it for medical professionals to remove. Take off any jewelry before the area can swell.
Cover the burn with a clean cloth or a gauze pad if you have it.
Do not use any greases, sprays, butter, or ointments on a burn, as they keep the heat in.
3. Treatment
Third-degree burns, which reach the layers of fat and other structures under the skin, can be life-threatening. If someone has a severe burn with skin that looks charred or white, call 911 or seek medical care immediately. Be sure to take these steps in the meantime:
- Do not soak the burn with water.
- Do not apply any ointment, butter, grease, or spray.
- Do not remove clothing that is stuck to the area.
- Cover the area with a sterile bandage or a clean loose cloth.
Third-Degree Burns Without Pain
Remember, third-degree burns may not be painful if the nerve endings have been damaged. Even if there is no pain, prompt medical care for a severe burn is essential.
Third-degree burns need emergency medical care. Treatment requires hospital care to stabilize the patient and prevent infection. The damaged tissue may be surgically removed and replaced by skin grafts (replacing damaged skin with healthy skin from elsewhere on the body).1 People may feel pain, fatigue, and itching as the wound heals. Scars from the grafts may fade over time. People often benefit from physical and occupational therapy to recover function and movement after a third-degree burn. The length of recovery varies greatly according to the size and severity of the burn, but these burns are far less fatal than in the past.