First Aid for Burns
Types of Burns
First Degree Burn
A first degree burn is the least serious burn. It can be treated like a minor burn. First degree burns can cause redness, swelling, and/or pain.
Second Degree Burn
A second degree burn is more serious than a first degree. Second degree burns can cause splotchy skin, swelling, pain, and/or blisters. If the burn is larger than 3 inches immediate medical help is required.
Third Degree Burn
A third degree burn is the most serious and painful burn. It involves all layers of the skin including underlaying fat. Burn may be charred black and white. The person with the burn may experience difficulty breathing, carbon monoxide poisoning, and other toxic affects.
Minor Burns
- Cool the burn to help ease the pain. Hold under running water for 10-15 minutes.
- Remove tight items before the area swells.
- Apply moisturizer, aloe vera lotion or gel. It may cause some pain relief.
- Take an over the counter pain reliever.
- If necessary consider a tetanus shot.
Major Burns
- First you must call 911 or emergency medical help.
- Protect the burned person from any more harm.
- Check for signs of circulation. If none found CPR should take place.
- Remove any items from body because the body will swell quickly.
- Do not put burns in cold water. This could lead to even more harm like hypothermia.
- Raise and elevate the burned area.