A stove can easily get hot enough to cause a third-degree burn, says Dr. Syed F. Saquib, medical director of the UCI Health Regional Burn Center.
Have you heard that smearing butter on a burn, pressing a cut potato against it or icing it can help promote healing and ease the pain?
None of these methods are recommended, says Dr. Syed F. Saquib, a trauma and burn surgeon and medical director of the UCI Health Regional Burn Center. In fact, these age-old home remedies not only don’t work, they can do more damage to burned skin.
What is the right way to treat a burn? The first thing to consider is how severe it is, says Saquib. Burns are generally classified by the depth of damage to the skin:
First-degree burns
- These burns affect only the skin’s surface, or epidermis, and usually result in redness and mild pain.
- Overexposure to the sun can cause a first-degree burn.
Most first-degree burns don’t require medical attention, says Saquib. He recommends rinsing the burn area with cool water for five to 10 minutes or until the pain subsides. Next, apply a moisturizing lotion and if needed, take an over-the-counter pain reliever for a few days. If the pain doesn’t subside, see a doctor.
Second-degree burns
- These burns penetrate to the second layer of skin, or dermis.
- They are usually bright red with a moist or blistered appearance.
- Scalding with extremely hot water or other liquid may cause this type of burn.
- Some second-degree burns may require a skin graft or skin substitute to heal.
Blistering and sloughing of skin is common with second-degree burns. They can become infected, which is why Saquib advises consulting a physician.
Third-degree burns
- These burns involve all layers of the skin and are usually dry or leathery to the touch.
- They can appear ashen or charred black or brown.
- If the burn has damaged nerve endings, the patient may have no sensation of pain.
- Causes can be hot oil, friction, touching hot surfaces such as a stove, curling iron or a motorcycle muffler or even chemicals.
These more serious burns can lead to devastating injury, including loss of function or limbs, disfigurement and recurring infection. Severe burns can damage muscles and other tissue that affect every system of the body, and they can result in death.
Third-degree burns need immediate medical attention and often require a skin graft or skin substitute to heal, Saquib says.
Center versed in all aspects of burn care
The UCI Regional Burn Center at UCI Medical Center in Orange uses a multidisciplinary team of burn-specialist surgeons, nurses, wound care specialists, physical therapists, social workers, case managers and psychologists to manage all aspects of burn care.
It’s the only burn center in Orange County verified by the American College of Surgeons and the American Burn Association. It includes an inpatient unit and an outpatient clinic.
Preventing burns at home
There are many measures one can take to reduce the risk of getting burnt at home
Cooking
- Use timers when cooking
- Use oven mitts when handling hot objects
- Don’t multitask when handling hot food or dishes
- Avoid loose-fitting clothing when near a stove
- Have a fire extinguisher nearby
Bathroom
- Set water heater below 120°F
- Check bathwater with a thermometer
- Supervise children in the bath
Living room and sleeping areas
- Extinguish candles before sleeping
- Check heating devices for safety
- Keep heat sources three feet away from fabrics
- Avoid heating pads without an auto shut-off feature
- Ensure cords are in good condition
Learn more about reducing your burn risk at home.
Treating burns at home
Many minor burns can be treated at home. Saquib offers these do’s and don’ts:
Do
- Run cool water (not cold or icy) for five to 10 minutes over a burn smaller than your hand.
- Seek medical attention for any burn larger than your hand — fingers to wrist — or if the burn affects the feet, face, eyes or genitalia.
- See a doctor if you have diabetes and you burn your foot.
- Get immediate care if your cell phone or e-cigarette explodes in your pocket, if you fall into a fire pit or any time your clothes catch fire.
- Remove clothing and jewelry near a burn, but don’t try to peel off clothing stuck to the burn.
Don’t
- Touch or soak a serious burn. Cover it with something dry and get to a hospital or burn clinic.
- Pop blisters. But if they do burst, gently peel away the dead skin to prevent an infection.
Treatment for small burns
For first-degree or second-degree burns smaller than about two inches in diameter, Saquib recommends the following these home treatment steps:
- Wash the area daily with mild soap.
- Apply an antibiotic ointment or dressing to keep the wound moist.
- Cover with gauze or adhesive bandage to keep the area sealed.
- Apply antibiotic ointment frequently to burns in areas that cannot be kept moist.
Make an appointment at the UCI Health Regional Burn Center by calling 888-622-2876.
Find on-demand care at UCI Health using our On Demand Care Finder ›
Related stories
