Cool the burn. Pour cool tap water over the burn or dip it in cool
water for at least 20 minutes. Suck on an ice cube or ice cream for
burns in the mouth.
Before swelling happens: Remove rings, jewelry, wearable devices,
tight clothing, contact lenses, and diapers over the burned area,
unless they are stuck.
When the burn is cooled: Put a moisturizer with aloe vera, or
prescribed antibiotic on the burn to prevent drying. Loosely cover
it with a non-adhesive bandage, gauze, or clean non-fluffy cloth.
For pain, take ibuprofen (Motrin®, Advil®, etc.) or acetaminophen
(Tylenol®, etc.).
Go to the Emergency Room, preferably at a burn center, for burns:
bigger than about three inches.
that cover the face, hand, foot, groin or genital areas, or
buttocks.
that cover large joints like your knee or elbow.
that wrap around the abdomen, limbs, or neck in a circle like a belt.
with large open blisters.
caused by an electric shock.
Major Burns
Call 911. For electrical burns, do not come near the person until
the power source is off. When safe: If the person is not breathing,
begin CPR. (See CPR.)
If clothing catches fire, help a person to stop, drop, and roll
until the flames are out. If it seems safe, remove hot and burning
materials from contact with the injured person. If the person fell,
carefully keep the neck and spine straight while rolling the person
over.
Remove rings, jewelry, wearable devices, tight clothing, contact
lenses, and diapers over burned area, unless they are stuck. Raise
the burned area above the heart, if possible.
Cover the burned area with a cool moist bandage or a large clean
cloth or sheet and wait on the scene for medical assistance.
Chemical Burns
Remove the chemical. Take off clothing that may have the chemical
on it or brush off any powder. Protect yourself with gloves, eye
protection, an apron, or a towel.
Call 911 and the Pittsburgh Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222. The
Poison Center will advise you what to do.
Ask the Poison Center if it is safe to pour cool tap water over the
burn for at least 20 minutes or to use a shower (most chemicals). A
few chemicals (dry lime, phenol, and some metals) should not be
rinsed in water.
Remove rings, jewelry, wearable devices, tight clothing, contact
lenses, and diapers over the burned area, unless they are stuck.
Loosely cover the burned area with a non-adhesive bandage, gauze,
or clean cloth.
Wait for medical assistance or go to the Emergency Room for larger
burns and take the chemical container or name of the chemical
along.
