Minor Burns:
No Appointment Necessary

Aired on Superstation WGN
Saturday, May 28 and September 17, 2005
Show 214

Dr. Lisa Thornton:

Treating minor burns at home is fine but remember, burns can be serious. If it looks bad to you, it probably is. Have it looked at by a doctor. For minor burns, here's some recommendations on home treatment.

April Manfredo, PharmD, RPh:

The first step to treating a burn is to determine the extent and severity of the burn. They're categorized in three steps. A first, second and third degree burn. A first degree burn is a minor burn and it only involves the top layer of the skin. A second degree burn involves blistering, more redness, pain and swelling than a first degree burn. And a third degree burn should always be treated in the hospital. The first step involved in treating a minor burn is running cold water over the area for 15 minutes. Or if that's not possible, you can apply a cold compress. Once the burn is cool, you can apply an aloe vera lotion to help with the dryness or a triple antibiotic ointment to prevent infection. You can loosely cover a burn with sterile gauze to protect the burn, but don't use cotton as it may stick to the skin. You can help to relieve the pain involved with the burn by using over the counter pain medications. Some examples would be acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, aspirin, or Naproxen. It's not recommended to apply ice to a burn or to break any blisters. Typically, minor burns will heal on their own within one to two weeks. You should watch the burn for signs of infection such as increased redness, swelling, pain, oozing or fever. And you should always contact your doctor if this should occur. And of course, with any major burn known as a third degree burn, 9-1-1 should be called for immediate medical attention.