Burns & Scalds - Injuries & First Aid | NHS Inform

Burns and scalds

Burns and scalds are damage to the skin caused by heat.

A burn is caused by dry heat like an iron or fire. A scald is caused by something wet like hot water or steam.

The longer the burning goes on, the more severe the injury is likely to be.

Phone 999 or go to A&E for:

• large burns that are bigger than the affected person’s hand
• deep burns of any size that cause white or charred skin
• burns on the face, neck, hands, feet, any joints, or genitals
• all chemical and electrical burns
• any other injuries that need treating
• any signs of shock – symptoms include cold, clammy skin, sweating, rapid, shallow breathing, and weakness or dizziness

You should also go to hospital if you or the person who has a burn:

• is under the age of 10
• has a medical condition, like heart, lung or liver disease, or diabetes
• has a weakened immune system – for example, because of HIV or AIDS, or because they’re having chemotherapy for cancer
• has breathed in smoke or fumes

Symptoms of burns and scalds

The symptoms of a burn or scald will depend on how serious it is. Symptoms may include:

• red skin
• peeling skin
• pain in the area of the burn
• blisters
• swelling
• white or charred skin

First aid for burns and scalds

Burns and scalds must be treated with first aid as soon as possible. This will limit the amount of damage to the skin. You can do first aid for burns or scalds on yourself or someone else.

1. Remove anything from the burnt area

Do not try to remove anything that’s stuck to the burnt skin as this could cause more damage.

You should remove any clothing or jewellery from near the burnt area of skin. This includes babies nappies.

2. Cool the burn

Cool the burn with cold running water for 20 minutes. You should do this as soon as possible after the injury.

Never use ice, iced water, creams or greasy substances like butter on a burn.

3. Keep warm

Keep yourself or the injured person warm. You can use a blanket or layers of clothing to do this. But, avoid putting these on the injured area.

Keeping warm will prevent hypothermia. This is where a person’s body temperature drops below 35C (95F). This is a risk if you’re cooling a large burnt area, particularly in young children and elderly people.

4. Cover the burn with cling film

Put cling film in a layer over the burn. Do not wrap it around a limb. You can use a clean clear plastic bag for burns on your hand.

You should only use cling film for a short time until a burns dressing can be applied, if needed.

Putting cling film on a burn or scald can help to reduce the pain of it. It allows helps healthcare professionals to look at the burn.

5. Treat the pain with painkillers

Treat the pain from a burn with paracetamol or ibuprofen.

Children under 16 years of age should not be given aspirin.

Treatment for burns and scalds

If your burn or scald needs treatment, your healthcare professional will:

• look at the size and depth of the burn
• clean the burn
• cover the burn with a sterile dressing
• offer you pain relief

They will check your dressing after 24 hours to see if there are any signs of infection. It will be changed again after 48 hours and then every 3 to 5 days until it’s completely healed.

You may have to have a tetanus injection after some burns. Tetanus is caused by bacteria entering a wound.

Recovering from mild burns and scalds

Minor burns normally heal in around 14 days and leave little scarring.

While the skin heals, keep the area clean and don’t apply any creams or greasy substances. Don’t burst any blisters as this can lead to infection.

If you have burnt the inside of your mouth by drinking something hot, avoid things that could irritate it. For example, hot and spicy food, alcohol and smoking.

Recovering from severe burns and scalds

A specialist may have to look at your burn if it’s severe. In some cases, a skin graft may be needed. This surgery removes the area of burnt skin and replaces it with a skin graft taken from another part of your body.

Deep or severe burns can take months or even years to heal fully. They usually leave some visible scarring.

Managing your exposure to the sun

During the first few years after a burn, you should try to avoid letting direct sun onto the damaged skin. This is because the sun may cause it to blister. The skin is especially sensitive in the first year after injury.

You should also avoid direct sun on a new area of skin after a skin graft.

Do

• keep the area covered with cotton clothing
• wear a peaked cap or wide-brimmed hat if the burn or scald is on your face
• use sun cream with a high sun protection factor (SPF) to protect the area from the sun

Complications of burns and scalds

Burns and scalds can sometimes lead to other problems. This includes:

• shock – when the body isn’t getting enough oxygen to the vital organs
• heat exhaustion – when the temperature inside the body rises to 37 to 40C or above
• infection – a blister that has burst may become infected if it’s not kept clean
• scarring – this is a patch or line of tissue that remains after a wound has healed