Minor burns are common household injuries. When the skin is damaged by heat, the immediate reaction is to seek fast relief, leading many to turn to unproven home remedies. One persistent folk treatment involves applying toothpaste directly to the injury. Medical professionals strongly advise against this practice, as it can worsen the burn, delay healing, and increase the risk of complications.
Why Toothpaste Harms Burned Skin
The impulse to use toothpaste comes from the temporary cooling sensation provided by ingredients like menthol or peppermint. This sensation is deceptive because the toothpaste forms a physical barrier over the wound. This layer effectively seals the heat inside the damaged skin, preventing the necessary process of heat dissipation that must occur immediately following a burn.
Trapping heat can extend the duration of the burn injury, causing deeper tissue damage. Toothpaste also contains ingredients that are not intended for use on compromised skin.
Abrasive components, such as calcium carbonate or silica, can physically irritate or damage the fragile burn site. Strong detergents like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) can cause significant irritation to open skin. Applying a non-sterile substance also introduces a high risk of infection, as ingredients like glycerol and sorbitol can promote bacterial growth. Using toothpaste delays proper first aid, which is the most time-sensitive step in minimizing burn severity.
The Correct Immediate Treatment Protocol
The first step following a burn is to stop the burning process immediately by cooling the area. Hold the burn under cool, gently running tap water—not ice-cold water or ice—for a minimum of ten to twenty minutes. The cool water draws heat out of the deep layers of the skin, limiting tissue damage and reducing pain.
While cooling, gently remove any jewelry or restrictive clothing from the affected area before swelling begins. Never attempt to remove clothing that has melted or stuck to the skin, as this can cause further injury. The cooling process must be sustained for an adequate duration to fully dissipate the stored thermal energy.
Once cooled, the burn should be kept clean and protected. For minor first-degree or small second-degree burns, apply a thin layer of a gentle moisturizer, such as aloe vera or petroleum jelly, to keep the skin hydrated. Cover the burn loosely with a sterile, non-adhesive dressing or clean, non-fluffy material like plastic cling film. Covering the wound reduces infection risk and helps alleviate pain by keeping air off exposed nerve endings. Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, can manage discomfort.
Determining When a Burn Needs Professional Care
While minor burns can often be managed at home, recognizing the signs of a more serious injury is important. Burns are classified by depth: a first-degree burn causes redness and pain, affecting only the outer layer of skin. A second-degree burn involves blistering and a shiny, wet appearance, damaging the layer beneath the surface.
A third-degree burn, also called a full-thickness burn, destroys all layers of the skin and may appear waxy, white, leathery, or charred. This often results in numbness due to nerve damage. Any third-degree burn requires immediate medical attention, regardless of size. Professional care is also necessary if a burn is larger than three inches in diameter or covers a major joint, the face, hands, feet, or genitals.
Other red flags include burns caused by electricity or chemicals, as these injuries can be deceptively deep. Medical attention is required if the burn shows signs of infection, such as increased swelling, excessive redness spreading, a foul odor, or fever. Individuals with pre-existing conditions, such as diabetes, or those who are very young or elderly should have all but the most superficial burns professionally evaluated.