What is the recommended treatment for a 1st degree burn?

From the Guidelines

For a first degree burn, the recommended treatment is to cool the burn with cool running water for about 10-20 minutes, as this has been shown to decrease the need for subsequent care and has little risk of harm 1. The cooling process should be done with caution to avoid hypothermia, especially in cases of large burns. After cooling, the burn can be covered with a clean, non-adherent dressing, and over-the-counter pain medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can be given to manage pain 1. Some key points to consider when treating a first degree burn include:

• Avoid using ice, butter, or oils directly on the burn, as these can worsen damage 1
• Keep the burn clean and covered with a sterile, non-stick bandage if needed, changing it daily
• Apply a gentle moisturizer like aloe vera gel or petroleum jelly to soothe the skin and prevent drying 1
• Monitor for signs of infection, such as increased redness, swelling, or pus, and seek medical attention if the burn does not improve within a week or if it covers a large area or sensitive areas like the face or genitals 1

From the FDA Drug Label

Uses first aid to help prevent infection and for the temporary relief of pain or discomfort in minor: cuts scrapes burns Directions adults and children 2 years of age and older: clean the affected area apply a small amount of this product (an amount equal to the surface area of the tip of a finger) on the area 1 to 3 times daily may be covered with a sterile bandage children under 2 years of age: ask a doctor

The recommended treatment for a 1st degree burn includes:

• Cleaning the affected area
• Applying a small amount of topical antibiotic ointment, such as bacitracin, 1 to 3 times daily 2
• The affected area may be covered with a sterile bandage 2 For children under 2 years of age, it is recommended to ask a doctor before applying any treatment 2

From the Research

Treatment for 1st Degree Burns

• The recommended treatment for 1st degree burns includes initial cooling with water, followed by the application of aqueous emulsions with small amounts of well-tolerated lipids (O/W emulsions) 3.
• These emulsions help to cool the skin, reduce inflammation, and accelerate the repair of the damaged skin barrier.
• Foam sprays and lotions are ideal for treating 1st degree burns due to their ease of application and painless administration 3.

Topical Antimicrobial Agents

• Topical antimicrobial agents are not typically recommended for 1st degree burns, as they have not been shown to be superior to the vehicle alone 3.
• However, for more severe burns, topical antimicrobial agents such as silver sulfadiazine, bacitracin, and neomycin may be used to prevent infection 4, 5.
• The use of silver-containing dressings is also recommended in some guidelines, particularly in low-resource settings 5.

Cooling Duration

• The ideal duration of cooling for thermal burns is still unknown, and current guidelines are inconsistent 6.
• A systematic review found no benefit to cooling for 20 minutes or more compared to less than 20 minutes for outcomes such as burn size, depth, and re-epithelialization 6.
• Further research is needed to determine the optimal duration of cooling for thermal burns.