Burns

Treating Symptoms

All Burns

1. Stop Burning Immediately

• Remove person from hot liquid, steam, or other hazardous material and/or put out fire
• Assist person with “stop, drop and roll” procedure to prevent further burning
• Remove any smoldering items from person; unless, material is stuck to skin—tear material around it

2. Remove Constrictive Clothing Immediately

• Remove belts, jewelry, etc… burns swell fast

1^st Degree Burns

1. Cool burn

• Immerse burn in cool (not cold) water or under running water
• Use compresses if water is not of availability

2. Protect burn

• Do not apply ointments due to possible infection
• Cover with clean, sterile, non-adhesive bandage or cloth

3. Treat pain immediately

• Provide pain relievers such as: ibuprofen, acetaminophen or naproxen

2^nd Degree Burns

1. Cool burn

• Never apply ice to burn (further damage is possible)
• Never pop or break blisters or apply ointments (may cause infection)
• Immerse burn in cool (not cold) water or under running water up to 15 minutes
• Use compresses if water is not of availability

2. Protect burn

• Wrap loosely with sterile non-adhesive bandages with gauze or tape

3. Shock prevention

Follow this list – unless person is in discomfort or has a neck, head or leg injury

• Lay person flat
• Elevate feet at least 1 foot (above heart level)
• Cover person with blanket

3^rd Degree Burns

1. Call 911 immediately

2. Protect burn

• Cover burn with non-stick sterile bandages or materials (make sure lint won’t get stuck in burn)
• Never soak burn in water or use any ointments (can cause infection)
• Separate fingers and toes with sterile dressings

3. Shock prevention

Follow this list – unless person is in discomfort or has a neck, head or leg injury

• If person lays down (and has an airway burn) never put a pillow under person’s head (airway can close)
• If person has had a facial burn make sure they’re sitting up
• Monitor breathing/pulse until EMS arrives

Call a Doctor

• If person shows signs of infection
• Person is in need of tetanus or booster shot
• Pain lasting more than a few hours
• Redness lasting more than a few hours
• Pain worsens

Call 911

• All layers of skin are penetrated
• Person is an infant or senior
• Skin is leathery or charred with black, brown or white patches
• Blister oozes or is larger than 2 inches