The first thing to do after a burn is cool it under running water immediately. Speed matters: the sooner you start cooling, the less damage spreads into deeper layers of skin. While most minor burns heal well at home with proper care, knowing the right steps (and avoiding common mistakes) can mean the difference between a quick recovery and a lingering wound or scar.
Cool the Burn With Running Water
Hold the burned area under cool running water as soon as possible. The International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation strongly recommends this as the single most important first aid step for thermal burns in both adults and children. Use cool water, not ice or ice water. Extreme cold can injure already-damaged tissue and make things worse.
There’s no firm consensus on exactly how long to cool for, since studies haven’t been able to pinpoint the perfect duration. A common guideline is 10 to 20 minutes. Even if you can’t get to running water right away, cooling the burn within the first few hours still helps. Remove any clothing or jewelry near the burn while cooling, unless it’s stuck to the skin.
What to Put on the Burn
Once the burn is cooled, you can apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly or aloe vera to keep the area moist. You don’t need an antibiotic ointment, and in some cases antibiotic creams can actually cause an allergic reaction that makes the burn site worse.
Avoid putting any of the following on a burn:
- Butter or oil: traps heat in the skin
- Egg white: infection risk
- Lotion, cream, or cortisone: can irritate raw tissue
- Ice: causes further tissue damage
- Toothpaste: a persistent home remedy with no benefit
Cover the burn loosely with a sterile, non-stick bandage. Change the dressing daily or whenever it gets wet or dirty. Keeping the wound moist and covered helps skin cells regenerate faster and reduces scarring.
Leave Blisters Alone
If your burn blisters, resist the urge to pop it. The American Academy of Dermatology advises leaving burn blisters intact. That bubble of fluid is protecting the raw skin underneath from dirt, debris, and bacteria. Popping it opens a direct path to infection.
If a blister breaks on its own, don’t peel off the loose skin. Leave it in place as a natural shield. Let the fluid drain, then cover the area with a clean, dry bandage. Watch closely for signs of infection over the next several days.
Managing Pain
Burns hurt, sometimes intensely, especially partial-thickness burns that damage the outer two layers of skin. Over-the-counter pain relievers work well for most minor burns. Ibuprofen or naproxen reduce both pain and inflammation. Acetaminophen is a good alternative if you can’t take anti-inflammatory medications. Follow the dosing instructions on the package and avoid exceeding the daily limits.
The pain from a minor burn typically peaks in the first day or two and then gradually fades. If pain is getting worse after 48 hours rather than better, that’s a signal something may not be healing properly.
How to Tell the Severity of Your Burn
Burns fall into three categories based on how deep they go, and the depth determines whether you can treat it at home or need medical care.
- Superficial (first-degree): Only the top layer of skin is affected. The area is red and painful but doesn’t blister. Sunburns are a common example. These heal on their own within a week.
- Partial-thickness (second-degree): Damage extends into the second layer of skin. You’ll see blistering, color changes, or texture changes beyond simple redness. These are painful and take two to three weeks to heal.
- Full-thickness (third-degree): The burn goes through all skin layers and can reach the fat underneath. These burns destroy nerve endings, so they may not hurt at all despite looking severe. The skin can appear white, brown, or charred. Full-thickness burns always require professional medical treatment.
When a Burn Needs Medical Attention
Not every burn can be managed at home. Get professional care if the burn involves the face, hands, feet, genitals, or any major joint like the elbow or knee. These areas are vulnerable to complications from scarring and restricted movement.
You should also seek care for:
- Any full-thickness (third-degree) burn, even a small one
- Burns larger than about 3 inches across, or covering a large portion of the body
- Electrical burns, including lightning injuries
- Chemical burns
- Burns with signs of inhalation injury (coughing, hoarse voice, singed nose hairs)
- Burns in children under 10 or adults over 50, who are more vulnerable to complications
Chemical Burns Are Different
If the burn came from a chemical rather than heat, the first priority is removing the chemical. Take off any clothing or jewelry that contacted the substance, then rinse the area with water for at least 20 minutes. Use a shower if one is available. Chemical burns continue damaging tissue until the substance is completely flushed away, so longer rinsing is better than shorter. All chemical burns warrant medical evaluation.
Watch for Infection
Burned skin has lost its protective barrier, making it vulnerable to bacteria. In the days following a burn, watch for these warning signs:
- Increasing redness that spreads beyond the burn’s edges
- Red streaks radiating outward from the wound
- Swelling that gets worse instead of better
- Green or yellow discharge, or discharge with a foul smell
- Fever
- Increasing pain after the first 48 hours
Any of these signs suggest the burn may be infected and needs medical treatment.
Tetanus and Burns
Burns are classified as “dirty or major wounds” for tetanus purposes. The CDC recommends a tetanus booster if you have a burn and your last tetanus shot was five or more years ago. If you’ve never been fully vaccinated against tetanus, or you’re unsure of your vaccination history, you’ll need a shot regardless of the burn’s severity. If your last tetanus vaccine was within the past five years and you completed the full primary series, you’re covered.
Protecting the Skin as It Heals
New skin growing over a burn site is fragile and highly sensitive to sun damage. UV exposure on healing skin can cause permanent darkening or discoloration. Keep the area covered or use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher for at least a year after the burn heals.
Keeping the wound consistently moist during healing, using petroleum jelly and a bandage, reduces the chance of raised or discolored scars. Once the skin has closed, gentle massage of the area can help break up scar tissue and improve flexibility. Silicone-based scar sheets or gels, available over the counter, have some evidence behind them for flattening scars when used consistently over several weeks. For deeper burns, a dermatologist can offer additional options if scarring becomes a concern.