First Aid for Burns and Scalds A Fast Action Plan to Save Your Skin Burns and scalds are treated identically. Whether you will need medical attention depends on how deep the wound is and how large an area it covers. Type of Signs Action Fast Facts Burn Minor burns damage only Rinse in cold water for at the top layer of skin and least five minutes to heal on their own in Skin is red relieve the burning about a week. Some or bright sensation. To alleviate doctors suggest an 1st Degree pink but not pain apply cool, wet examination if the burn (Superficial) broken; clothes, acetaminophen occurs across a joint, there are no will also help. A light such as an elbow. blisters. moisturizer, such as a one (There's a slight chance made with aloe, may that scarring could affect soothe skin. how the joint works.) Rinse the burn in cold Since second degree Skin is red, water; apply cool, wet penetrates deeper into the 2nd Degree tender, compresses; and cover skin, they can easily (Partial swollen, the wound loosely with a become infected. Don't Thickness) and clean cloth until you can break and blisters. This blistered. get immediate medical type of burn will take help. several weeks to heal. All third degree burns must be treated Call 911. Check to make immediately by a sure the victim is physician, as they do not breathing, and perform Skin will heal on their own and 3rd Degree CPR if necessary. look white may require skin grafting. (Full Remove burned clothing and leathery Sometimes the person Thickness) that comes off easily. or charred. won't feel any pain Leave anything that because the burn goes sticks to the wound. Do below the dermis, into not apply ice or water. the tissue under the skin, damaging nerves.

What Not To Do DON'T: WHY NOT: Cover a deep burn with Cotton can stick to the wound. Instead, use dry cotton balls or fluffy gauze or a clean cloth. bandages Pull off clothing that is You may damage the skin further. Let a doctor firmly attached to a wound. remove what is left. Break blisters. This could lead to an infection Cool extensive burns with This could cause a dangerous drop in body water. temperature. These folk remedies do not speed healing and can Apply butter, toothpaste, or attract dirt to the wound, possibly leading to egg whites to a burn. infection. Household Burn Hazards Hair curlers, irons and curling irons, room heaters, ovens and ranges, gasoline and fireworks. Hot water: 133 degree water can cause a third degree burn in 15 seconds. Check your hot water heater's thermostat and set it to 120 degrees or lower. Other Household Products: Common household products such as drain openers, bleach and toilet bowl cleaners contain dangerous acid or alkaline substances that can cause burns seconds after they come in contact with a child's skin. Chemical burns usually cause redness and occasional blisters. If one occurs, remove all clothing that has been doused with the substance, and flush the skin under running water for at least 30 minutes. While you do this, call your local poison control center at 1-800-332-3073 for more adivse, then see a doctor right away.