Causes

Touching a hot surface can cause burns. Steam, hot liquids, flame, and some chemicals also can cause burns.

Symptoms

Doctors grade burns as being first, second, or third degree. The higher the number, the more serious the damage to the skin’s layers.

First-degree burns affect only the top, or first, layer of skin. The skin can be red, dry, or swollen. These burns may peel and are usually painful. A mild sunburn or a slight scalding usually results in first-degree burns. You don’t need to see a doctor for a first-degree burn unless a large area of skin is damaged. First-degree burns usually heal in 5 to 6 days without leaving scars.

Second-degree burns affect the two top layers of skin. Symptoms include redness, swelling, and some blisters. Second-degree burns are painful, and the pain may be severe. Healing takes 3 to 4 weeks and may leave scars. Second-degree burns can be fatal if more than half the body is damaged. You can treat most second-degree burns at home if only a small amount of skin is burned. But you should see the doctor if:

• The burn covers more than 1 square inch of skin.
• The burn causes a lot of blistering.
• The burn is on the hand, face, or groin.

Third-degree burns damage all three layers of skin. They may even harm tissue, muscle, nerves, bones, or fat underneath the skin. With a third-degree burn, skin may be red, white, waxy, or charred black. These burns can be very painful or, if the nerves are destroyed, painless. The burned area may “weep,” or ooze large amounts of clear liquid. You must see a doctor right away for all third-degree burns. Treatment by a burn specialist and skin grafts are needed for third-degree burns. There may be permanent scars from the burn.

First Aid

• Soak small burns in cold water or apply cold, wet compresses. Do not use ice water or snow, unless that is the only source of cold available. The wet, cooling action helps stop any more burning below the skin.
• Cover the burn with a clean, dry, preferably nonstick dressing or cloth that covers the entire burn area. You can use an over-the-counter product with aloe vera in it to help ease pain. Don’t put butter or any other greasy substance on the burn. Don’t break blisters that form on the burn.
• Call your doctor if you see any signs of infection on the burned area.
• Burned skin can itch for weeks and is sensitive to the sun for up to a year after it has healed. Remember to use sunscreen to prevent further damage.
• Check to see whether a tetanus shot is needed.

Severe Burns

• If a person’s clothes are on fire, put out the fire with a blanket, towel, rug, or coat. Wrap it over the flames. Press down to keep air from reaching the fire. The person may struggle or try to run. Make the person lie still on the floor.
• Pull away bits of clothing that may be smoldering. Leave alone cloth that sticks to the skin but is not burning. Emergency-room workers can take off these stuck pieces of cloth safely.
• Call 911, or take the person to a doctor right away if the area of the burn is not too large. Don’t let the burned person drive.
• If you can’t get the burned person to a hospital right away, treat for shock.
• If the burned person is conscious and is not vomiting, try to get him or her to drink warm water. The water will help replace fluids lost from the burn.
• Check to see whether a tetanus shot is needed.