What are the steps for managing a minor burn?

From the Guidelines

To manage a minor burn, cooling the burn immediately with running water is the first and most crucial step, as it decreases the need for subsequent care and reduces pain, as suggested by the 2024 American Heart Association and American Red Cross guidelines for first aid 1. The cooling process should be done with cool, not cold, water for 10-20 minutes to stop the burning process. After cooling, the area can be gently cleaned with mild soap and water, then patted dry with a clean towel. For pain relief, it is reasonable to give over-the-counter pain medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, as they are well-tolerated and generally recommended for burn pain 1. Some key points to consider in minor burn management include:

• Cooling the burn with running water to reduce the need for subsequent care and pain 1
• Applying petrolatum, petrolatum-based antibiotic ointment, honey, or aloe vera, and a clean nonadherent dressing to open burn wounds may be reasonable for small partial-thickness burns being managed at home 1
• Loosely covering a burn with intact skin or an intact blister with a clean cloth or nonadherent dry dressing while awaiting evaluation by a healthcare professional may be reasonable 1
• Watching for signs of infection, such as increased pain, redness, swelling, warmth, or pus, which would require medical attention Minor burns typically heal within 1-2 weeks, and proper management can prevent further tissue damage and promote faster healing. It's also important to note that burns involving the face, hands, feet, and genitals, or those with a large surface area, may require specialized care and should be treated in a burn center 1.

From the FDA Drug Label

Prompt institution of appropriate regimens for care of the burned patient is of prime importance and includes the control of shock and pain. The burn wounds are then cleansed and debrided; Uses first aid to help prevent infection and for the temporary relief of pain or discomfort in minor: cuts scrapes burns

The steps for managing a minor burn include:

• Cleansing and debriding the burn wound
• Applying a topical cream such as silver sulfadiazine or bacitracin to help prevent infection and relieve pain
• Controlling shock and pain 2 3

From the Research

Minor Burn Management Steps

• Assess the burn: evaluate the location, size, and depth of the burn to determine the optimal setting for management 4
• Cool the burn: immerse the burn in cold water as soon as possible to arrest damage and reduce pain 5, 6
• Clean and dress the burn: remove dead tissue and protect viable tissue during healing, using a biosynthetic bilaminar membrane dressing for partial-thickness burns if necessary 5
• Manage pain: use acetaminophen as the first-line treatment for pain associated with minor burns, and consider nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or opioids for more severe pain 4
• Apply topical therapy: use silver sulfadiazine or other topical therapies, such as aloe cream, to facilitate healing and minimize scarring 4, 7

Special Considerations

• Refer patients with full-thickness burns, circumferential burns, or burns on the face, hands, feet, genitals, or perineum to a burn subspecialist 4
• Hospitalize patients with infected wounds or those on primary areas (hands, feet, face, or perineum) to ensure proper care 5
• Avoid using prophylactic antibiotics for most patients, unless indicated by the presence of an infection 4

Cooling Methods

• Use cool water to cool the burn, as ice or very cold water may not be necessary or effective 8, 6
• Cool the burn immediately after the injury to reduce damage and pain 6
• Avoid cooling the burn for a prolonged period of time, as this may not provide additional benefits from a heat transfer point of view 6