Degrees of burns

The severity of a burn depends upon its size, depth and location.

The following is a summary of the degrees of burns:

• A first-degree burn is the least serious. Only the outer layer of skin is burned. The skin is red, with swelling and pain.
• A second-degree burn involves the first layer of skin and into the second layer of skin. Blisters develop and the skin takes on an intensely reddened, splotchy appearance. Second degree burns are usually the most painful because nerve ending are usually intact, despite severe tissue damage.
• A third-degree burn involves all of the layers of skin and the tissue under the skin. Fat, muscle, and even bone may be involved, which may be documented as fourth-degree. Third-degree burns may appear charred black or dry and white. Victims of third degree burns may have severe pain, or no pain at all if the nerve endings are destroyed.

First Aid for burns

• Never use ice, butter, or petroleum jelly to treat a burn, because these measures do not help and can damage the skin tissue.
• First, stop the burning to prevent a more severe burn.
• Heat burns (thermal burns): Smother any flames by covering them with a blanket or water. If your clothing catches fire, do not run: stop, drop, and roll on the ground to smother the flames.
• Liquid scald burns (thermal burns): Run cool tap water over the burn for 10 to 20 minutes. Do not use ice.
• Electrical burns: After the person has been separated from the electrical source, check for breathing and a heartbeat. If the person is not breathing or does not have a heartbeat, begin rescue breathing and CPR.
• Chemical burns: Natural foods such as chili peppers, which contain a substance irritating to the skin, can cause a burning sensation. When a chemical burn occurs, find out what chemical caused the burn. Call your local Poison Control Center or the National Poison Control Hotline (1-800-222-1222) for more information about how to treat the burn.
• Tar or hot plastic burns: Immediately run cold water over the hot tar or hot plastic to cool the tar or plastic.

• Remove any jewelry or clothing at the site of the burn. If clothing is stuck to the burn, do not remove it. Carefully cut around the stuck fabric to remove loose fabric. Remove all jewelry because it may be difficult to remove it later if swelling occurs.

• If you are going to see your health professional soon:
• Cover the burn with a clean, dry cloth to reduce the risk of infection.
• Do not put any salve or medication on the burned area, so your health professional can properly assess your burn.
• When a first-degree burn or minor second-degree burn is 2 to 3 days old, using the juice from an aloe leaf can help the burn heal and feel better. Applying the aloe juice may sting at first contact.
• It is important to protect a burn while it is healing.
• Newly healed burns can be sensitive to temperature. Healing burns need to be protected from the cold, because the burned area is more likely to develop frostbite.
• A newly burned area can sunburn easily. Sunscreen with a high sun protective factor (SPF at least 30) should be used for the first year after a burn to protect the new skin.

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This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor.