Burns

How should I treat a new burn?
When you first burn yourself put the area under cold, running water for ten minutes or until the area cools.
DON’T put any cream on a burn until it has cooled right down or they will make it worse.
Ideally you should dress wounds with burns dressings. If you haven’t got these you can cover the burn (once it has cooled) with anti-bacterial cream and put a normal Non-Adherant Wound Pad on it like you would with a cut; often putting Vaseline (Petroleum Jelly) on the side in contact with the burn will stop it sticking.
Burns are very prone to infection so should be kept covered.
The dressing should be changed ideally at least twice daily for the first few days.



I’ve just burnt myself and I can’t feel it. It’s kind of white and feels thick and ‘leathery’. What’s wrong with it?

This sounds like a full thickness (or third degree) burn and should be looked at to check the severity of the damage to deeper tissues if they are larger than approx the size of a postage stamp.



When should I get a burn looked at?

If it is in an area where it is causing you problems such as your chest, near a joint, or on your hand.
If it is a Full Thickness (third degree) Burn
If it looks infected
If it is larger than a postage stamp for a full thickness burn, larger than 3 fingers put together for a partial thickness (2nd Degree) burn or larger than 4 put together for a superficial burn if it is an area away from a joint/ on your hand or chest.




Is it OK to pop blisters on burns?
You shouldn’t pop the blisters. This will make a burn more prone to infection which is something that should be avoided.