What is the healing time and treatment for a first-degree burn with blisters?

Treatment and Healing Time for First-Degree Burns with Blisters

First-degree burns with blisters should be cooled immediately with clean running water for 5-20 minutes, then covered with a clean nonadherent dressing while keeping blisters intact, and typically heal within 7-14 days with proper care. 1

Immediate First Aid

1. Cool the burn immediately:

   • Apply clean running water (15-25°C) to the burn site 1
   • Continue cooling for 5-20 minutes 1
   • Do NOT use ice directly on the burn as it can cause tissue damage 1
   • Monitor children for signs of hypothermia during cooling 1

2. Pain management:

   • Administer over-the-counter pain medications (acetaminophen or NSAIDs) 1
   • Continue pain management as needed throughout healing process

Wound Care After Cooling

1. Blister management:

   • Leave blisters intact as this improves healing and reduces pain 1
   • Loosely cover blisters with a sterile dressing 1

2. Dressing application:

   • For small partial-thickness burns being managed at home, apply one of the following 1:
     • Petrolatum (plain Vaseline)
     • Petrolatum-based antibiotic ointment
     • Honey
     • Aloe vera
   • Cover with a clean nonadherent dressing 1
   • Change dressings daily and monitor for signs of infection

Healing Timeline

Most first-degree burns with blisters (superficial partial-thickness burns) will heal within 7-14 days with proper care 2. The presence of blisters indicates a partial-thickness burn that affects both the epidermis and part of the dermis.

When to Seek Medical Care

Seek immediate medical attention if:

• Burns involve the face, hands, feet, or genitals 1
• Burns cover >10% of body surface area (>5% in children) 1
• There are signs of infection (increasing pain, redness, swelling, foul odor)
• The burn appears deep or has a white/charred appearance
• The burn doesn't show signs of healing after 2 weeks 2
• There are signs of inhalation injury (facial burns, difficulty breathing, singed nasal hairs) 1

Important Considerations

• Remove jewelry from the burned area before swelling occurs 1
• Do not apply ice directly to burns as it can worsen tissue damage 1
• Do not apply butter, oil, or home remedies to burns
• Do not break blisters as this increases infection risk 1, 3
• Monitor for signs of infection including increased pain, redness, swelling, or discharge

Pitfalls to Avoid

1. Inadequate cooling: Many patients cool burns for less than 10 minutes, which is insufficient 4
2. Breaking blisters: This increases infection risk and may delay healing 1
3. Using ice directly: Can cause additional tissue damage 1
4. Delaying treatment: Immediate cooling significantly reduces burn depth and improves outcomes 1
5. Failing to cover burns: Leaving burns uncovered increases pain and infection risk 4

By following these guidelines, most first-degree burns with blisters can be effectively managed at home with good outcomes and minimal scarring.