What is the treatment for a small superficial burn?

Treatment for Small Superficial Burns

Immediate cooling with clean running water for 5-20 minutes is the essential first step in treating small superficial burns, followed by application of petrolatum, petrolatum-based antibiotic ointment, honey, or aloe vera with a clean nonadherent dressing. 1

Immediate Management

1. Cool the burn immediately:

   • Use clean running water (15-25°C) 1
   • Cool for 5-20 minutes 1
   • If clean running water is unavailable, ice wrapped in cloth may be used for superficial burns with intact skin 1
   • Monitor children for signs of hypothermia during cooling 1

2. Pain management:

   • Over-the-counter pain medications (acetaminophen or NSAIDs) are appropriate for burn pain 1
   • Remove jewelry before swelling occurs 1

After Cooling Treatment

For superficial burns with intact skin:

• Loosely cover with a clean cloth or nonadherent dry dressing 1
• Leave blisters intact as this improves healing and reduces pain 1

For small partial-thickness burns with open wounds:

• Apply one of the following 1:
  • Petrolatum
  • Petrolatum-based antibiotic ointment (such as bacitracin) 2
  • Honey
  • Aloe vera
• Cover with a clean nonadherent dressing 1
• For antibiotic ointments, apply a small amount (equal to the surface area of a fingertip) 1-3 times daily 2

When to Seek Medical Care

Immediate medical attention is required for:

• Burns involving the face, hands, feet, or genitalia 1
• Full-thickness (third-degree) burns 1
• Large partial-thickness burns (>10% body surface area in adults, >5% in children) 1
• Signs of inhalation injury (soot around nose/mouth, difficulty breathing) 1

Important Considerations

• Do not apply ice directly to a burn as it can cause tissue ischemia 1
• Do not use prolonged cold exposure on small burns or brief exposure on large burns as this can cause further tissue injury and hypothermia 1
• Do not apply home remedies like butter, oil, or grease to burns 3
• Superficial burns typically heal without scarring and have low infection risk 1
• Burn depth assessment is crucial for determining treatment approach - superficial burns involve only the epidermis while partial-thickness burns extend into the dermis 4

The evidence strongly supports immediate cooling as the most effective first aid intervention for superficial burns, with proper wound care afterward to promote healing and prevent infection 1.