From the Guidelines
To manage a friction burn at home, it is essential to clean the area gently with mild soap and lukewarm water, apply a thin layer of antibiotic ointment, and cover the burn with a non-stick sterile bandage or dressing, as recommended by the 2024 American Heart Association and American Red Cross guidelines for first aid 1. When managing a friction burn at home, the following steps can be taken:
- Clean the area gently with mild soap and lukewarm water to remove dirt and debris, as suggested by the 2010 American Heart Association and American Red Cross guidelines for first aid 1.
- Pat the area dry with a clean towel.
- Apply a thin layer of antibiotic ointment, such as Neosporin or Polysporin, to keep the wound moist and prevent infection.
- Cover the burn with a non-stick sterile bandage or dressing, changing it daily or when it becomes wet or dirty, as recommended by the 2024 American Heart Association and American Red Cross guidelines for first aid 1.
- Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) can help manage pain and reduce inflammation, taken as directed on the packaging.
- Keep the burn elevated when possible to reduce swelling. Friction burns typically heal within 1-2 weeks depending on severity, and keeping the wound moist promotes faster healing by allowing skin cells to migrate across the wound surface more easily, while covering it protects against infection and further trauma, as noted in the 2024 American Heart Association and American Red Cross guidelines for first aid 1. It is crucial to seek medical attention if the burn is large, deep, shows signs of infection (increasing redness, warmth, swelling, pus, or red streaks), or doesn't improve within a few days.
From the Research
Friction Burn Management at Home
- Friction burns can be managed on an outpatient basis by primary care physicians, and prevention efforts can significantly lower the incidence of burns, especially in children 2
- Superficial friction burns can be treated with topical application of:
- Lotions
- Honey
- Aloe vera
- Antibiotic ointment 2
- Partial-thickness friction burns should be treated with a topical antimicrobial agent or an absorptive occlusive dressing to help reduce pain, promote healing, and prevent wound desiccation 2
- Topical silver sulfadiazine is the standard treatment for partial-thickness burns, however, newer occlusive dressings can provide faster healing and are often more cost-effective 2
- Topical antimicrobial agents, such as creams and ointments, can be used to prevent and treat burn wound infections, and are commonly recognized due to their long use in burn care 3
- Antimicrobial dressings are also available and can provide an ever-advancing roster of products in the next era in burn care, and can be used as adjuncts to surgical intervention or as non-operative wound care when appropriate 3