From the Guidelines
For a partial thickness burn to the top of the left foot, immediate treatment should begin with cooling the burn under cool (not cold) running water for about 10-20 minutes to stop the burning process and reduce pain, as supported by the 2024 American Heart Association and American Red Cross guidelines for first aid 1. After cooling, gently clean the area with mild soap and water, then apply an antibiotic ointment such as bacitracin or silver sulfadiazine cream.
Key Considerations
- Cover the burn with a non-stick sterile dressing like Telfa or Xeroform, and secure it with gauze wrap or medical tape, avoiding excessive pressure, as recommended by the guidelines 1.
- Change the dressing daily or whenever it becomes wet or soiled.
- For pain management, take acetaminophen (Tylenol) 500-1000mg every 6 hours or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) 400-600mg every 6 hours as needed, as suggested by the guidelines 1.
- Elevate the foot when possible to reduce swelling.
When to Seek Medical Attention
- Partial thickness burns typically heal within 2-3 weeks, but seek immediate medical attention if the burn is larger than 3 inches, appears deep, involves the entire top of the foot, or shows signs of infection (increasing redness, swelling, warmth, pus, or red streaking).
- Also seek medical care if you have diabetes or poor circulation, as foot burns in these conditions require specialized treatment to prevent complications.
From the FDA Drug Label
Reduction in bacterial growth after application of topical antibacterial agents has been reported to permit spontaneous healing of deep partial-thickness burns by preventing conversion of the partial thickness to full thickness by sepsis. The treatment for a partial thickness burn to the top of the left foot may involve the application of topical antibacterial agents, such as silver sulfadiazine, to reduce bacterial growth and promote healing.
- The goal of treatment is to prevent the conversion of the partial-thickness burn to a full-thickness burn by reducing the risk of sepsis.
- It is essential to monitor the burn wound closely for signs of infection or other complications. 2
From the Research
Treatment for Partial Thickness Burn to Top of Left Foot
- The treatment for partial thickness burns, such as the one on the top of the left foot, typically involves stopping the burn process and promoting a moist environment to aid in healing 3.
- Partial-thickness burns are subdivided into two categories: superficial and deep, with superficial partial-thickness burns extending into the dermis and taking up to three weeks to heal 3.
- Advanced dressings are often used to protect the wound and promote a moist environment, with options including Biobrane, silver sulfadiazine, and Centiderm 4, 5, 6.
- Studies have shown that nonsilver treatments, such as Biobrane and Centiderm, may be preferred over silver sulfadiazine due to shorter wound healing times, less dressing changes, and shorter lengths of hospital stay 4, 5, 6.
- First aid treatment, such as applying cold running water for 20 minutes, can also improve re-epithelialisation and decrease scar tissue 7.
- It is essential to note that people with diabetes mellitus are at increased risk of complications and infection, and early referral to a burn center should be considered 3.
Wound Care and Dressings
- Biobrane therapy has been shown to significantly decrease pain and total healing time without increasing the cost of outpatient burn care 5.
- Centiderm ointment has been found to improve objective and subjective signs, re-epithelialization, and complete healing compared to silver sulfadiazine, without any infection 6.
- Silver sulfadiazine is still a commonly used treatment, but its effectiveness compared to nonsilver treatments is still being studied 4, 5, 6.