Burn First Aid

When a burn occurs, it is human instinct to attempt to treat the victim immediately. However, some first aid decisions can actually harm the victim and complicate the burn injury.

First aid assistance for major burns:

Do not apply ointment, butter, ice, medications, fluffy cotton, adhesive bandages, cream or oil spray these can interfere with the healing process.
Do not allow the burn to become contaminated, avoid coughing or breathing on the burn.
Do not bother blistered and dead skin.
Do not give the victim anything to ingest if he/she has a severe burn.
Do not immerse a severe burn in cold water or apply cold compresses this can cause shock.
Do not place a pillow under a victim’s head if he/she has an airway burn because the airway could close.

Call emergency assistance immediately if:

the victim has a severe or extensive burn
the victim has a chemical or electrical burn
the victim shows signs of shock are present
airway burn has occurred

Minor burns

If a minor burn occurs, there are several steps you can take to immediately treat the burn. Run cool water, not ice water, over the areas where the skin is unbroken. Soak the burned skin in this cool water. Keep the burn under water for at least five minutes. Do not apply water if the burn occurred in a cold environment. Instead, use a clean, cold and wet towel to reduce the pain.

Cover the burn with a sterile bandage or clean cloth and protect it from pressure and friction.

Over-the-counter pain medications may help reduce inflammation and swelling as well as help with the pain.

Minor burns usually heal without more treatment. Treat a burn as a major burn if the area is more than 2 to 3 inches in diameter or if it is located on the hands, feet, face, groin, buttocks or major joints.

Major burns

If a major burn occurs, there are several steps you can take to immediately treat and care for the burn. "Stop, drop and roll" is a helpful tool if your clothes catch on fire.

If someone else has caught fire, douse them with water, wrap them in a thick, non-synthetic material such as wool or cotton or lay them on the ground flat and roll them.

If clothing cannot be removed from the victim make sure the victim is not in contact with smoldering materials.

If the victim has stopped breathing or his/her airway is blocked, open the airway and perform rescue breathing and CPR as needed.

If the victim is breathing, cover the burn area with a moist, cool sterile bandage or clean cloth. Do not apply ointments and be careful not to break burn blisters.

Separate the victim's fingers and toes with dry, sterile, non-adhesive bandages.

Protect the burned area from pressure and friction by elevating it. To prevent shock, lay the victim flat, elevate the feet 12 inches and cover the victim with a coat or blanket. Do not put the victim in this position if he or she is uncomfortable or if you suspect a head, neck, back or leg injury.

Until medical help arrives, continue to monitor victims pulse, rate of breathing and blood pressure.

Burn Prevention

To help prevent injuries from burns use the following tips:

frequently check home smoke alarms to ensure they work
teach children fire safety and fire escape plans
plan, practice and know the fire escape routes from your home
teach children the dangers of playing with matches, flammable materials, and fireworks

Firework Safety

Most firework accidents are preventable and occur when fireworks are improperly used. The following safety tips should be utilized when using fireworks:

never allow young children to play with fireworks
read and follow all warnings and instructions on fireworks
place fireworks on a smooth, flat surface away from buildings, dry leaves, and flammable materials
keep a bucket of water handy in case of malfunction
keep pets inside when fireworks are being ignited

Outreach Education

In a continuing effort to increase burn awareness in the community, the Shands Burn Center at UF provides burn education to a variety of groups:

high-risk industry employees (electrical facilities, paper mills, etc.)
elementary, middle, and high school students
nursing, occupational/physical therapy student groups
firefighters, EMS, paramedics and other safety/rescue personnel

Advanced Burn Life Support

The Shands Burn Center at UF also provides health professionals with the opportunity to become certified in Advanced Burn Life Support (ABLS) in an emergency room and pre-hospital environment. Those invited to become certified are:

physicians
physicians assistants
nurse practitioners
registered nurses
paramedics/EMS, firefighters

For more information about ABLS contact the Shands Burn Center via email: napporw@shands.ufl.edu .

Symptoms of burn injuries

It is important to treat burns immediately after they occur. Some symptoms include, but are not limited to:

blisters
pain
peeling skin
red skin
shock
swelling
white or charred skin

Pain is not an indicator of the severity of a burn. Some of the most serious burns can be painless. Signs of shock are pale and clammy skin, weakness, bluish lips and fingernails, and a decrease in alertness.

Burns can become infected. Watch for increased pain, redness, swelling, drainage from the burn, swollen lymph nodes or red streaks spreading from the burn toward the heart.

Information

For more information about Shands Burn Center at the University of Florida, please call the Shands HealthCare Consultation Center at (800) 749-7424 or (352) 265-8000.

Burn Center Navigation

Skin and Wound Healing

Research at the Burn Center

Southeast Burn Foundation

Types of Burn Injuries

Make an Appointment

To make an appointment or find out more information about the Burn Center at Shands at the University of Florida, please call 352.265.8000 or toll-free 1.800.749.7424

You may also email our Consultation Center (consult@shands.ufl.edu) or use our secure online form.