Burns

What to do

1. Stop the burning. Move away from the heat. If clothes are on fire: stop, drop, and roll. For an electrical burn, turn off the power before you touch the person.
2. Cool the burn under cool running water as soon as you can. Keep it there for 20 minutes if possible (at least 10). Lukewarm water is OK if cool water isn’t available.
3. Take off rings, watches, belts, and tight clothing near the burn before it swells. Don’t pull off anything stuck to the skin.
4. Cover it loosely with a clean, non-stick bandage or plastic wrap. Don’t wrap it tightly.
5. Ease the pain with an over-the-counter pain reliever if needed. Follow the package directions.
6. Keep the person warm. Cooling large burns, especially on children, can make the body too cold.

Chemical burns

Brush off any dry chemical with a gloved hand or cloth. Then rinse the skin with lots of cool running water for at least 20 minutes. Take off clothing or jewelry that has the chemical on it. Call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 for advice, or 911 if the burn is serious.

Caring for a small burn as it heals

• For small burns, a thin layer of petroleum jelly or aloe vera and a clean non-stick bandage can help.
• Don’t pop blisters. They protect against infection. If one breaks, wash gently with water and cover it.

Avoid

• Don’t use ice or ice water. It can damage the skin more.
• Don’t put butter, oil, toothpaste, or other home remedies on a burn. They trap heat and can cause infection.