Self-help Guides

You should see a doctor right away for a burn if:

• the burn is on more than 10% of the body
• the burn is on thin skin such as the face, the joints, the genital area, or the underside of the arm
• the burn looks black, charred, gray, white, or brown
• the burned area has more than a few small blisters
• the burn is from an electrical source (e.g. electrical outlet, electrical cord)
• the burn is from flames
• the burn is from concentrated chemicals or hydrofluoric acid
• you are coughing, or have irritated throat or eyes or difficulty breathing
• you have a burn that goes around the body or the limb
• you have an underlying medical condition that increases the risk of infection or delays the body's ability to heal (e.g., diabetes, weakened immune system)

Non-medication treatment

If you do not have the previously listed signs and symptoms, you can try the following tips to manage the burn at home. Even if you have the previously listed signs and symptoms and require medical attention, you can still try the following tips on your way to the doctor or hospital. The most beneficial thing you can do is to cool the burn area right away.

• Flush it with cool water flush. Place the burn under running cool (15°C), but not cold, water for at least 20 minutes. If it is difficult to put the area under running water (e.g., if the burn is on the body), you can wet a clean towel with cool water and place it on the burned area. If you feel cold from doing this, cover yourself with a blanket to prevent hypothermia
• Bandage it. You don't need to cover the burn if the skin is not broken. If you have open blister(s) or the skin is weeping, you can use clean gauze to cover it. Make sure the tape you are using does not go on the burned areas. Check the burned area daily for infection. You can change the dressing every 2 days or when it is soaked through.

Over-the-counter medication

After the initial first aid with cool water flush, you can try the following if needed:

• Aloe gel
  • Some studies have shown benefit with using aloe gel, while others have not. It is not likely to be harmful, and the gel may have a cooling, soothing effect.
• Pain relief
  • If you are in pain, you can use acetaminophen (Tylenol®, Tempra®)* or ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®)*. Follow the instructions on the package or check with your pharmacist.
  • You should not use acetaminophen if you have liver disease.
  • You should not use ibuprofen if you have kidney disease.
• Itch relief
  • As the burn area heals, it may become itchy. Try not to scratch the area, since this can cause irritation and infection.
  • If the itchiness is really bothersome, you can take diphenhydramine (Benadryl®)* by mouth. This medication will make you sleepy. Avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how this medication affects you.

* All medications have both common (generic) and brand names. The brand name is what a specific manufacturer calls the product (e.g., Tylenol®). The common name is the medical name for the medication (e.g., acetaminophen). A medication may have many brand names, but only one common name. This article lists medications by their common names. For information on a given medication, check our Drug Information database. For more information on brand names, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.

How long it takes for a burn to heal depends on how deep it is. Sometimes, the burn will look worse on the first day or two before it starts to get better. Usually, the burns will heal in about 2 weeks.

You should see a doctor if:

• the burn doesn't look like it's getting better in 1 week
• the area is getting more red or there are red streaks from the wound
• there is pus, foul smell, or green or yellow drainage from the burn area
• pain or itching is bothersome despite trying the tips previously listed
• any of the signs and symptoms listed previously appear