Burn first aid

Overview

A burn is damage to the skin caused by heat, chemicals, electricity, sunlight, or radiation. Burn first aid is the immediate care given to reduce pain, prevent infection, and limit the damage.

Yes, burns are a common injury. Many are minor and can be treated at home, but severe burns need urgent medical care.

Burns can affect anyone, but young children and older adults are at higher risk for more serious injury and complications.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

• Redness and swelling of the skin
• Pain and tenderness in the burned area
• Blisters that may break open
• Peeling or raw-looking skin
• White or charred (blackened) skin in deeper burns

Symptoms in children

• Children can get burns quickly from hot liquids or touching hot surfaces.
• Even a small burn on a child can be serious, especially on the face, hands, or genitals.
• Blisters appear more easily and infection risk is higher.

Symptoms in older adults

• Older adults have thinner skin that burns more deeply and heals more slowly.
• They may have less pain sensation and not realise the burn is severe.
• Chronic health conditions like diabetes can slow healing and increase infection risk.

Causes

Main causes

• Hot liquids (scalds) – from tea, coffee, bath water, or cooking
• Flames – from fires, stoves, or matches
• Hot objects – touching a stove, iron, or hair straightener
• Chemicals – strong acids or alkalis in household cleaners
• Electricity – from faulty wires or electrical outlets
• Sunlight or tanning lamps – sunburn from UV rays

Risk factors

• Young age – children have thinner skin and are curious about hot things
• Older age – skin thins and reaction time slows
• Working with heat, chemicals, or electricity
• Cooking without safety precautions
• Smoking in bed or near flammable materials
• Lack of smoke alarms at home

When to see a doctor

See a doctor urgently if:

• Any burn that covers more than 5% of the body (about the size of the person's own hand)
• Deep burns that look white, leathery, or charred
• Burns on the face, hands, feet, genitals, or over a joint
• Burns from chemicals, electricity, or explosion
• Burns that cause difficulty breathing or breathing in smoke

Book a routine appointment if:

• Small burns (smaller than a hand) that are painful and blistering
• Burns that do not heal or show signs of infection (increased pain, redness, swelling, pus)
• Burns in people with diabetes or other chronic health conditions

Diagnosis

A doctor or nurse will look at the burn and ask how it happened. They will check the size, depth, and location of the burn to decide the best treatment.

Tests that may be done

• Visual examination of the burn – the doctor assesses redness, blistering, and damage depth
• Checking for other injuries, especially if the burn was from electricity or an explosion
• In severe cases, blood tests or a chest X-ray if smoke was inhaled

What to expect at your appointment

The doctor will clean the burn gently and remove any dead skin. They may apply a dressing and give advice on pain relief and infection prevention. For larger burns, you may be referred to a specialist burn unit.

Treatment

Treatment depends on the depth and size of the burn. Minor burns can be cared for at home with cooling, cleaning, and dressing. More serious burns need medical care to prevent infection, manage pain, and help healing.

Self-care at home

• Cool the burn immediately under cool running water for at least 20 minutes.
• Remove any clothing or jewellery near the burn, but do not pull off anything stuck to the skin.
• Gently dry the area and cover it loosely with cling film or a clean plastic bag.
• Do not burst blisters – they protect the skin underneath.
• Take simple pain relief, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, as recommended on the packet (check with a pharmacist if unsure).
• Keep the burn clean and change dressings as advised by your healthcare provider.

Medical treatments

Healthcare providers may prescribe antibiotic dressings or creams to prevent infection. For deeper burns, they may use special wound dressings that stay in place for several days. Pain management may include stronger pain relief. In some cases, a tetanus booster is given if the wound is dirty and the person's tetanus vaccination is not up to date.

When is surgery considered?

For deep or large burns, surgery may be needed to remove dead skin and graft healthy skin from another part of the body onto the burn. This helps the burn heal faster and reduces scarring. Surgery is done under anaesthesia.

Living with this condition

While a burn heals, you may need to keep it clean, apply dressings, and avoid activities that stretch the burned skin. Gentle movement can help prevent stiffness if the burn is over a joint.

Lifestyle tips

• Protect the healing burn from direct sunlight – use sunblock or cover it with clothing.
• Avoid scratching or picking at the burn or blisters.
• If you have a dressing, keep it dry and follow your healthcare provider's instructions for changing it.
• Wear loose, soft clothing over the burn to avoid irritation.

Diet and exercise

Eating a balanced diet with plenty of protein and vitamins (especially vitamin C and zinc) can help the skin heal. Gentle exercise as tolerated helps maintain mobility, but avoid strenuous activity that may stress the burned area.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing

Burns can be painful and stressful. It is normal to feel anxious, sad, or worried about scarring. Talking to a healthcare provider or a counsellor can help. If you feel overwhelmed, reach out to a trusted friend or a mental health professional.

Prevention

Many burns can be prevented by simple safety measures at home and at work. Take care when cooking, keep hot liquids away from children, and install smoke alarms. Use sunscreen to prevent sunburn.

Complications

If left untreated

• Infection – bacteria can enter the wound, causing redness, swelling, and fever
• Scarring – deep burns may leave permanent scars or keloids
• Contractures – tight, thickened skin that limits movement
• Fluid loss – large burns can lead to dehydration and shock
• Hypothermia – damaged skin cannot regulate body temperature well

Long-term outlook

Most minor burns heal within a week or two without leaving a visible scar. Deeper burns take longer and may cause some scarring, but modern treatments help reduce scarring and improve healing. With proper first aid and medical care, the outlook for burn recovery is generally good.

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