Burns and Scalds: Complete First Aid Treatment Guide

Burns are one of the most common household injuries, particularly in kitchens and bathrooms. From minor sunburns to serious thermal injuries, knowing how to respond quickly and correctly can significantly reduce pain, prevent complications, and speed healing. This comprehensive guide covers first aid for all types of burns and helps you understand when professional medical care is needed.

Understanding Burns

Burns are classified by their depth and the amount of body surface affected. Understanding these classifications helps determine the appropriate first aid response.

Burn Depth Classifications

• Superficial (first-degree) burns: Affect only the outer layer of skin (epidermis). The skin is red, dry, and painful but without blisters. Sunburn is a common example.
• Partial thickness (second-degree) burns: Affect the epidermis and part of the dermis. These burns are red, blistered, very painful, and may be wet or weeping.
• Full thickness (third-degree) burns: Destroy all layers of skin and may damage underlying tissue. The skin may appear white, brown, or charred. These burns may be painless because nerve endings are destroyed.

First Aid for Thermal Burns

Thermal burns are caused by contact with hot objects, flames, steam, or hot liquids (scalds). The treatment approach is the same regardless of the heat source.

What NOT to Do

• Do not apply ice, iced water, or very cold water—this can cause further tissue damage
• Do not apply butter, oil, toothpaste, or any home remedies—these trap heat and increase infection risk
• Do not burst blisters—they protect the underlying tissue from infection
• Do not remove clothing stuck to the skin—this can cause further damage
• Do not use fluffy cotton wool or adhesive dressings on burns

Scalds from Hot Liquids

Scalds are burns caused by hot liquids and are particularly common in homes with young children. Hot drinks are the leading cause of burns in children under five.

The first aid for scalds is identical to thermal burns—cool running water for 20 minutes. However, clothing soaked in hot liquid should be removed as quickly as possible (unless stuck) as the liquid continues to burn the skin.

Chemical Burns

Chemical burns are caused by contact with corrosive substances such as acids, alkalis, and other industrial chemicals. These burns require special consideration.

For chemical burns to the eyes, flush the eye with clean running water for at least 20 minutes, ensuring water flows from the inner corner of the eye outward to avoid contaminating the other eye. Seek emergency medical care immediately.

Electrical Burns

Electrical burns may appear minor on the surface but can cause serious internal damage as electricity passes through the body. Internal organs, muscles, and blood vessels can be affected.

First aid for electrical burns:

1. Ensure safety: Do not touch the person until you are certain they are no longer in contact with the electrical source. Turn off the power at the mains if possible
2. Check for response and breathing: Electrical shock can cause cardiac arrest. Be prepared to perform CPR
3. Call 000: All electrical burns require medical assessment, even if they appear minor
4. Treat visible burns: Cool any visible burns with running water for 20 minutes
5. Monitor for shock: Lay the person down, elevate their legs, and keep them warm

Sunburn

Sunburn is a radiation burn caused by overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays. While usually minor, severe sunburn can cause significant discomfort and increases long-term skin cancer risk.

Treating Sunburn

• Get out of the sun immediately and stay indoors or in shade
• Cool the skin with a cool (not cold) shower or damp towels
• Apply moisturising lotion or aloe vera gel to soothe the skin
• Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration
• Take over-the-counter pain relief if needed
• Do not burst blisters if they form

Seek medical attention for severe sunburn with extensive blistering, sunburn accompanied by fever, chills, or nausea, or any sunburn in young children.

When to Seek Medical Attention

While minor burns can be treated at home, many burns require professional medical assessment. Seek medical attention for:

• Burns larger than a 20-cent coin
• Burns on the face, hands, feet, genitals, or joints
• Burns that go all the way around a limb
• Burns with white, brown, or charred skin
• Chemical or electrical burns (always)
• Burns in young children or elderly people
• Burns in people with medical conditions like diabetes
• Any burn you're unsure about

Burn Prevention in the Home

Prevention is always better than treatment. Consider these strategies to reduce burn risk:

• Keep hot drinks away from table edges and out of children's reach
• Use the back burners on stovetops and turn pot handles inward
• Test bath water temperature before putting children in
• Set hot water systems to no higher than 50°C
• Install smoke alarms and check batteries regularly
• Keep matches and lighters out of children's reach
• Apply sunscreen 20 minutes before sun exposure and reapply every 2 hours