CALL 911 FIRST if emergency services are available. This page is for backup/offline reference.
Burns (1st, 2nd, 3rd Degree)
Thermal, chemical, or electrical burn injuries. Severity depends on depth and body surface area.
Critical Warning
Large or deep burns are shock-inducing and require immediate professional care.
Recognize the Signs
- 1st degree: Red, painful, dry skin (like sunburn)
- 2nd degree: Red, painful, blistered, wet-looking
- 3rd degree: White, black, or charred, leathery, numb (nerve damage)
- 4th degree: Bone/muscle involvement — catastrophic
Action Steps
Stop the burning
Remove from heat source. Douse flames. Rinse away chemicals. Don't touch electrical source until power is cut.
Cool the burn
Run COOL (not cold) water over burn for 10-20 minutes. No ice — it worsens tissue damage. Use clean water only.
Remove jewelry and tight clothing
Swelling happens fast. Remove rings, bracelets, belts before they cut off circulation. Do NOT peel off burned-in fabric.
Cover with sterile dressing
Loose, non-stick gauze (or clean cloth). Do not pop blisters. Do not apply butter, oil, toothpaste, or creams.
Treat for shock
If burn is larger than victim's palm, treat for shock: lay flat, keep warm, monitor breathing.
Pain management
For minor burns only: ibuprofen or acetaminophen. For severe burns, do not give anything by mouth.
Do NOT Do
- Do NOT apply ice, butter, oil, toothpaste, egg whites, or any home remedies
- Do NOT break blisters
- Do NOT pull off stuck clothing or debris
- Do NOT use adhesive bandages directly on burned skin
Aftercare
Keep dressings loose. Change every 1-2 days. Watch for infection signs: increased pain, swelling, redness spreading, pus, fever.
When to Get Professional Help
Call 911 for: 3rd degree burns, burns larger than victim's palm, burns on face/hands/feet/genitals, electrical burns, chemical burns, burns to very young or elderly, or any burn with signs of shock.