Treatment of Minor Burns
The proper treatment for a minor burn is to immediately cool the burn with clean running water for 5-20 minutes to limit tissue damage and reduce pain. 1, 2, 3
Initial Management
- Immediately remove any jewelry from the affected area before swelling occurs to prevent constriction and vascular ischemia 2
- Cool the burn with clean running water for 5-20 minutes 1, 2
- For adults with burns covering <20% of total body surface area (TBSA) and children with <10% TBSA, cooling should be performed in the absence of shock 1, 2
- Monitor children closely for signs of hypothermia during cooling, especially with larger burns 2
Treatment Based on Burn Severity
Superficial (First-Degree) Burns:
- After cooling, apply petrolatum, petrolatum-based antibiotic ointment, honey, or aloe vera 1, 2
- Cover with a clean, non-adherent dressing 2
- Administer over-the-counter pain medications like acetaminophen or NSAIDs for pain control 1, 4
Partial-Thickness (Second-Degree) Burns:
- After cooling, clean the wound with tap water, isotonic saline, or an antiseptic solution 1, 2
- Apply a thin layer of petrolatum-based antibiotic ointment 5
- Cover with a non-adherent dressing such as Xeroform, Mepitel, or Allevyn 5
Dressing Options
- Xeroform (petrolatum-impregnated gauze) provides a non-adherent barrier while allowing exudate to pass through 5
- Mepitel (silicone-coated dressing) minimizes trauma and pain during dressing changes 5
- Allevyn (polyurethane foam dressing) provides absorption and maintains a moist wound environment 5
- Clean gauze can be used as a secondary dressing over the non-adherent primary dressing 5
Pain Management
- Over-the-counter analgesics such as acetaminophen or NSAIDs are well tolerated and generally recommended for burn pain 1, 4
- Acetaminophen is the first-line treatment for pain associated with minor burns 4
- For more severe pain, stronger analgesics may be required 2
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Do not apply ice directly to burns as this can cause further tissue damage 2, 3
- Do not apply butter, oil, or other home remedies to burns 2, 3
- Do not break blisters, as this increases infection risk 2
- External cooling devices (e.g., Water-Jel dressings) should not be used for prolonged periods to limit the risk of hypothermia 1
- Topical antibiotics should not be used as first-line treatment but dedicated to infected wounds only 1, 2
- Routine antibiotic prophylaxis is not recommended for burns patients 1, 6
When to Seek Medical Attention
- Seek immediate medical care for burns that involve the face, hands, feet, or genitals 1, 2
- Seek immediate medical care for partial-thickness burns covering >10% body surface area (>5% in children) 1, 6
- Seek immediate medical care for all full-thickness (third-degree) burns 2
- Seek immediate medical care for burns showing signs of infection or that are very painful 2, 6
- Seek immediate medical care for burns with signs of inhalation injury (soot around nose/mouth, difficulty breathing) 1