General Guidelines for Self Care of Burns:

• You can treat a superficial burn as minor, unless it involves large areas of the hands, feet, face, eyes, groin, buttocks, or a major joint. For these areas, or severe and extensive sunburn, see your doctor immediately.

• You can treat a superficial partial-thickness burn as minor if it is no bigger than 2 to 3 inches in diameter. However, if the burned area is larger, or if the burn is on the hands, feet, face, eyes, groin, buttocks, or a major joint, seek medical attention immediately.

• For more serious burns, like deep partial-thickness or full-thickness burns, seek medical attention immediately or call 911.

• For more serious burns, until an emergency unit arrives:

o Do not take off any clothing that is stuck to the burn
o Make sure the victim is not near or in contact with any smoldering materials, or exposed to further smoke or heat
o Do not soak the burn in water, but you can cover the area with a cool moist sterile bandage or clean cloth
o As with any severe injury, make sure the person is breathing and administer CPR (if necessary)

First Aid for Minor Burns:

• Cool the burn with running water or a cold damp cloth. Do not use ice--this may result in more damage to the skin.

• Do not use butter, grease, oils, or ointments on the burn.

• Cover the burn with sterile gauze or a clean cloth.

• Do not use a fluffy cloth such as a towel or blanket.

• Take an over-the-counter pain reliever, like acetaminophen (Tylenol)/ Panaram (Paracetamol).

• Do not break or pop any blisters. This may result in an infection

• If you see signs of infection, get medical attention. Signs of infection include:

o Increased pain
o Redness
o Fever
o Swelling
o Oozing of pus

Once a minor burn is completely cooled you can consider using a fragrance free lotion or moisturizer to prevent drying and make the area more comfortable.
Special Cases:

First Aid for Chemical Burns:

• If the chemical causing the burn is a powder, brush the powder away from the skin first.

• Check the package insert for emergency information. For certain dry or powdered chemicals it may not be appropriate to flush the skin with water.

• If indicated, flush the skin with cool running water for 20 minutes or more.

• Remove any contaminated clothing or jewelry while flushing the skin.

• If the eyes are affected, flush eyes with cold water until medical help arrives.

• Cover burn with sterile gauze or a clean cloth. Do not use a fluffy cloth such as a towel or blanket.

• Do not break or pop any blisters.

• Keep the person from becoming chilled or overheated.

Take the person to the nearest hospital if there are any signs of shock, difficulty in breathing, or if the chemical burn occurred on the eye, hands, feet, groin, face, buttocks, or over a major joint. Emergency medical assistance is also indicated if the chemical caused a partial-thickness burn greater than 2-3 inches in diameter, or if you are unsure if a substance is toxic.

First Aid for Electrical Burns:

• Stop the electrical current by unplugging the appliance from the electrical outlet. Do not touch the person until the current has been stopped.

• If you cannot turn off the source of the electricity, move the source away from you and the person by using a nonconducting object, such as cardboard, plastic, or wood.

• Once you and the person are clear of the source of electricity, check the person for airway, breathing, and circulation. Start CPR if necessary and call 911.

• Cover burn with sterile gauze or a clean cloth. Do not use a fluffy cloth such as a towel or blanket.

• Do not break or pop any blisters.

• Keep the person from becoming chilled or overheated.
All patients with electrical burns or jolts need to go to a hospital immediately. Electrical burns can cause serious internal damage, without much evidence on the skin. In such cases, people need to be evaluated for heart rhythm disturbances as well as burns.