Burns And Scalds

Overview

A burn is damage to your skin caused by heat, chemicals, electricity, or sunlight. A scald is a burn from hot liquid or steam. Burns can be mild or severe, depending on how deeply the skin is damaged.

Yes. Burns and scalds are very common, especially in the home. Many are minor and heal on their own, but some need medical attention.

Anyone can get a burn. Young children, older adults, and people with reduced skin sensation are at higher risk. Hot drinks, bath water, and cooking are common causes of scalds in children.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

• Pain or tenderness in the burned area
• Redness and swelling
• Blisters that may ooze clear fluid
• Peeling skin
• White, brown, leathery, or charred skin (in deeper burns)
• Loss of feeling in the burned area (if nerves are damaged)

Symptoms in children

• Children may show the same signs as adults, but they can become restless, cry more, and refuse to eat or drink.
• Watch for signs of dehydration if the burn is large, such as fewer wet nappies or a dry mouth.

Symptoms in older adults

• Older adults often have thinner skin, so a burn may be deeper than it looks.
• They may feel less pain because of existing medical conditions, and healing can take longer.

Causes

Main causes

• Hot liquids such as tea, coffee, soup, or bath water (scalds)
• Flames and fires
• Hot objects like irons, stoves, or radiators
• Chemicals such as bleach, acids, or alkalis
• Electricity
• Sunlight or tanning lamps
• Radiation therapy (rarely)

Risk factors

• Being a child or older adult
• Cooking or carrying hot drinks
• Working with hot materials or open flames
• Using heaters, irons, or hair straighteners
• Having conditions that reduce feeling in the skin, such as diabetes
• Smoking or drinking alcohol near flames

When to see a doctor

See a doctor urgently if:

• If the burn is on your face, hands, feet, or genitals
• If the burn is larger than the size of your palm
• If the burn is deep, white, or charred
• If you have signs of infection, such as fever, pus, or increasing pain
• If you have a weakened immune system or chronic illness

Book a routine appointment if:

• If the burn is small and superficial but has not healed within two weeks
• If you have questions about how to care for the burn at home

Diagnosis

A doctor or nurse will look at the burn and ask what happened and when. They will estimate the depth and size of the burn to decide the best course of action.

Tests that may be done

• For most minor burns, no tests are needed.
• For deeper or larger burns, blood tests may be done to check fluid levels and organ function.
• If the burn was caused by electricity, a heart tracing (ECG) may be done.

What to expect at your appointment

During the exam, the clinician may gently clean the burn, remove any dead tissue, and cover it with a sterile dressing. They will explain how to care for it at home and when to come back for a check-up.

Treatment

Treatment focuses on relieving pain, preventing infection, and helping the skin to grow back with as little scarring as possible. Deeper or larger burns may need specialist care.

Self-care at home

• Cool the burn under cool running water for about 20 minutes as soon as possible.
• Gently remove jewellery or tight items from the area before swelling gets worse.
• Do not burst blisters – they protect the healing skin underneath.
• Wash the burn gently with cool water and mild soap, unless a healthcare professional advises otherwise.
• Pat the area dry and cover it with a clean, non-stick dressing.
• Take a simple pain reliever as recommended by your pharmacist or doctor.
• Check the burn daily for signs of infection.

Medical treatments

Depending on the burn, a doctor may clean the wound, apply a special dressing, and prescribe antibiotics if there is an infection. For deeper burns, you may be referred to a burn specialist who can use skin-healing products and, in some cases, recommend surgery.

When is surgery considered?

Surgery is sometimes needed for severe burns. A surgeon may remove dead skin (called debridement) and use healthy skin from another part of your body to cover the wound (called a skin graft). This is done under anaesthesia.

Living with this condition

While a burn heals, protect it from dirt and sun. Keep your dressings dry and change them as instructed. Once the burn has healed, use a simple moisturiser to reduce itching and apply sunscreen to the area for at least a year.

Lifestyle tips

• Do not scratch the healing skin or pick at blisters.
• Avoid tight clothing or rubbing over the burned area.
• Use a high-factor sunscreen on healed burns for at least 12 months.
• Keep yourself well hydrated and eat a balanced diet.

Diet and exercise

Eating enough protein, vitamins, and minerals can help your skin repair. If you have a large burn, your doctor may advise extra fluids. Gentle movement can keep joints flexible if the burn is near a joint, but check with your doctor first.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing

It is normal to feel anxious, upset, or frustrated while a burn heals, especially if it is large or painful. If these feelings last more than a couple of weeks, talk to your doctor. If you feel in crisis, reach out for help right away – your local emergency number or a crisis support line can help you.

Prevention

Yes. Most burns and scalds can be prevented with simple safety steps at home and at work. For example, keep hot drinks away from the edge of tables, use cooker guards, turn saucepan handles inwards, and always test bath water before getting in.

Complications

If left untreated

• Infection, which can slow healing and make you feel unwell
• Dehydration, especially in young children or if the burn is large
• Scarring, which may affect movement if the burn is over a joint
• Nerve damage and loss of feeling in the burned area
• Poor healing that may lead to long-term skin changes

Long-term outlook

With proper care, most burns and scalds heal well. Even deeper burns can improve greatly with modern treatment. The final outcome depends on the size and depth of the burn and your overall health. Your healthcare team will support you at every step.

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