What is the management of superficial (partial-thickness) burns to the distal phalanx of the finger?

From the Guidelines

To manage superficial (partial-thickness) burns to the distal phalanx of the finger, immediately cool the burn by running it under cool (not cold) water for 10-15 minutes to stop the burning process and reduce pain, as recommended 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.

• Apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly or an antibiotic ointment like Bacitracin or Neosporin to keep the wound moist and prevent infection, as suggested by the guidelines 1.
• Cover the burn with a non-stick sterile bandage or gauze, changing it daily or when it becomes wet or dirty, to protect the wound and reduce pain, as stated in the guidelines 1. For pain relief, take over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) 500-1000mg every 6 hours or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) 400-600mg every 6 hours as needed, as recommended by the guidelines 1. Keep the finger elevated when possible to reduce swelling.
• Superficial burns typically heal within 7-10 days.
• Seek medical attention if the burn appears deep (affecting deeper skin layers), covers a large area, shows signs of infection (increasing redness, swelling, warmth, pus, or red streaks), or if pain worsens despite treatment. Proper wound care prevents infection and promotes healing by maintaining a moist environment that allows new skin cells to migrate across the wound surface more effectively.

From the FDA Drug Label

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 Uses first aid to help prevent infection and for the temporary relief of pain or discomfort in minor: cuts scrapes burns

The management of superficial (partial-thickness) burns to the distal phalanx of the finger may include:

• Cleaning the affected area
• Applying a topical antibiotic such as bacitracin 1 to 3 times daily
• Covering the area with a sterile bandage 2 2

From the Research

Management of Superficial Burns to the Distal Phalanx of the Finger

• Superficial partial-thickness burns can be managed at home or on an outpatient basis, unless they are severe, in which case they should be referred for specialist treatment at a burns unit 3
• The goal for superficial burns is to optimize re-epithelialization, and topical antimicrobial agents can be used to minimize the proliferation of bacteria and other microorganisms 4
• Immediate cooling of the burn with cool water can prevent a significant percentage of superficial burns from progressing to deep burns, reducing the need for skin grafting and other consequences of deep burns 5
• Topical antimicrobial agents, such as silver-containing dressings, can be used to prevent infection in burn wounds, with silver sulfadiazine being the most recommended topical antimicrobial in low-resource settings 6
• If a superficial partial-thickness burn does not show signs of healing after 10 days, the patient should be referred to the local burns and plastic surgery service as the injury may be infected or deeper than had originally been suspected 3

Topical Antimicrobial Agents

• The choice of topical antimicrobial agent depends on the depth of the burn, with silver-containing dressings being recommended for most scenarios 6
• The use of topical antimicrobial agents can help prevent infection and promote healing in burn wounds, but there is currently no ideal agent that can be recommended for all clinical scenarios 6
• Research on optimal topical treatment continues, with a focus on developing more consistent recommendations to standardize clinical practice 7, 6