After a burn, one of the most important decisions is whether it can safely be cared for at home or needs a medical assessment. Many small, superficial burns heal well with simple first aid. Others, even some that seem minor at first, need professional care to reduce the risk of infection, scarring or other complications. This guide walks through the main factors to consider.
Always Start with First Aid
Whatever the burn, the first steps are the same: stop the burning, remove clothing and jewelry near the area unless stuck, and cool the burn under cool running water for about 20 minutes. Keep the person warm and cover the burn loosely with cling film or a clean, non-fluffy dressing. Then decide on next steps. If the burn is clearly serious, call your local emergency number first and cool the burn while you wait.
Call Your Local Emergency Number If
- The burn is large, or deep (white, leathery, brown or charred, possibly with little pain).
- The person has breathing difficulty, a hoarse voice, coughing, soot around the nose or mouth, or burned facial hair after a fire or explosion. These can signal an inhalation injury.
- The burn was caused by electricity, including a lightning strike or high-voltage source.
- The burn was caused by a strong chemical.
- The person is confused, drowsy, pale and clammy, or seems to be going into shock.
- The burn goes all the way around a limb, the chest or the neck.
Our articles on chemical burns and electrical burns explain the specific first aid for these injuries.
See a Doctor or Urgent Care Promptly If
Size
A burn larger than the palm of the person's hand (including fingers) generally needs medical assessment. A person's palm is a rough guide to about one percent of their body surface, which helps health professionals estimate burn size.
Depth
Burns that blister are usually partial-thickness burns. Small ones may heal at home, but larger blistered areas, or blisters on sensitive areas, should be checked. Any burn that may be full-thickness needs medical care.
Location
Burns to the face, eyes, ears, hands, feet, genitals, buttocks or over major joints need assessment even when small. These areas are important for function, prone to tight scarring or harder to keep clean.
Who Is Burned
Seek medical advice for burns in babies and young children, older adults, pregnant people, and anyone with diabetes, heart, lung or kidney disease, or a weakened immune system. These groups can develop complications more easily.
Signs That a Healing Burn Needs Review
Even a burn that started small can need a doctor later. Seek advice if you notice:
- Increasing pain, redness or swelling after the first day or two.
- Redness spreading beyond the edge of the burn, or red streaks.
- Pus, cloudy fluid or an unpleasant smell.
- Fever or feeling generally unwell.
- A burn that is not clearly healing after about two weeks.
- Tightness that limits movement of a joint as the burn heals.
Infection in a burn can become serious, so do not wait to see if these signs settle. See our guide to preventing infection in burn wounds.
Tetanus Protection
Burns break the skin and can be a route for tetanus infection. If you are not sure your tetanus vaccination is up to date, ask a doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Burns That Can Usually Be Managed at Home
A small, superficial burn on an otherwise healthy adult, in a non-sensitive area, with no blisters or only a small blister, can often be cared for at home. Keep it clean and covered, leave blisters intact, and use over-the-counter pain relief if needed as directed on the label or by a pharmacist. If you are unsure at any point, it is reasonable to ask a health professional.
Key Takeaways
- Always cool the burn first, then decide on next steps.
- Call your emergency number for large, deep, electrical, chemical or inhalation burns.
- Seek medical care for burns bigger than a palm, on sensitive areas, or in vulnerable people.
- Watch healing burns for infection and get them checked promptly if signs appear.
Educational information only, not medical advice. Always follow the advice of a qualified healthcare professional; in an emergency call your local emergency number.