Depending on how extreme the burn is, which is established by depth and size, you may need to visit a doctor or phone for an ambulance. Irrespective of the severity of the burn, apply the following steps to treat a burn:
- Rinse the burned region with cool running water for a few minutes
- Phone the ambulance services for a severe burn
- Smear on a burn gel, lotion or spray for the pain
- Use some ibuprofen for pain relief if needed
How To Treat Burns Effectively
To understand how to treat burns better, each step is recorded below in greater detail with guidelines and difficulties that you should avoid:
- Cool the burned region with cool running water for a few minutes. Don’t spray burns with high force pressure, just allow the water to go over the burned region for about 10 minutes. Slight burns can be chilled with tap water over the basin and don’t be scared to rinse larger burns with a hose outside.
Depending on how extreme the burn is, which is established on depth and size, you may need to visit a doctor or phone the emergency services.
Do not use ice to cool a burn. Ice can cause frostbite when used on a burn because the skin is already damaged.
If the ambulance is on their way, don’t stop cooling the burn; carry on until the ambulance gets there.
- Phone for an ambulance if the skin turns black or if blisters are forming in the following areas:
- The face
- The genitals
- Wrist, ankle, arm or leg
- The hand or foot
- Any place on the body covering a region that is larger than the size of the chest
Don’t be scared to call for an ambulance if you consider this is an emergency irrespective of whether the injury matches this list or not.
- Slight burns can be treated with a gel or spray to alleviate the pain. Creams should be water soluble. Do not burst blisters and continue cooling with running water to assist with the discomfort.
Do not put any butter on the burn. Butter might feel cool because it comes out of the fridge, but it will trap heat and make the burn even worse over time.
- Pain relief: Pain relievers can be acquired from a pharmacy, like ibuprofen can be used for the pain. If stronger pain relief is required, phone a physician or go to the emergency room.
Tips:
- Burns damage your skin and the loss of skin can lead to contamination, dryness and hypothermia. Make certain that burn victims get emergency assistance if facing any of the following:
- Confusion or feeling dizzy
- Paleness
- High temperature or chills
- Trembling
- Cold sweats
- Although the burn is healing, dress in loose clothing like silk. Tougher materials will aggravate the skin even more.