• Do NOT apply ointment, butter, ice, medications, cream, oil spray, or any household remedy to a severe burn.
• Do NOT breathe, blow, or cough on the burn.
• Do NOT disturb blistered or dead skin.
• Do NOT remove clothing that is stuck to the skin.
• Do NOT give the person anything by mouth, if there is a severe burn.
• Do NOT immerse a severe burn in cold water. This can cause shock.
• Do NOT place a pillow under the person's head if there is an airways burn. This can close the airways.

Call 911 if:

• The burn is extensive (the size of your palm or larger).
• The burn is severe (third degree).
• You aren't sure how serious it is.
• The burn is caused by chemicals or electricity.
• The person shows signs of shock.
• The person inhaled smoke.
• Physical abuse is the known or suspected cause of the burn.
• There are other symptoms associated with the burns

Call a doctor if your pain is still present after 48 hours.

Call immediately if signs of infection develop. These signs include increased pain, redness, swelling, drainage or pus from the burn, swollen lymph nodes, red streaks spreading from the burn, or fever.

Also call immediately if there are signs of dehydration: thirst, dry skin, dizziness, lightheadedness, or decreased urination. Children, elderly, and anyone with a weakened immune system (for example, HIV) should be seen right away.

Images

Burns

Skin

Second degree burn

First degree burn

Third degree burn

Burn, blister - close-up

Burn, thermal - close-up

Airway burn

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Burns Prevention

Review Date: 01/13/2010
Reviewed By: Jacob L. Heller, MD, MHA, Emergency Medicine, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)