Tips for Treating Burns

Burns and fires are a leading cause of injury and accidental death in children and adults, and account for an estimated 3,275 adult and child deaths per year. To help ensure you know what to do in case of a burn or thermal injury, refer to these tips. But don't hesitate to seek emergency care for any burn that blisters.

Caring for a heat-induced burn

• Remove person from the heat source.
• Cool the affected area with cold water or cold compresses until the pain is reduced or relieved.
• If a blister has formed, do not break it.
• Protect the burn with a dry, sterile gauze bandage or with a clean bed sheet or cloth.
• If the person's clothing is stuck to the burned area, do not attempt to remove it. Instead, cut around the clothing, leaving the burn intact. Seek medical care right away.
• Do not apply any ointments, oils or sprays to the burned area.
• If the person has burns on the hand, foot, face, eyes or groin, or a burn that covers a large area, seek medical attention or call 911 for emergency medical attention.

Caring for an electrical burn

• A doctor should treat any electrical burn. Electrical burns cause damage to body parts below the skin that are not visible on the surface. Call 911 for emergency medical assistance.
• Unplug the appliance or device that caused the injury or turn off the electrical current.
• If the person is in contact with the electrical current, do not touch him or her until you turn off the source or the circuit breaker.
• Check if the person is still breathing. If he or she is not breathing, begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
• Cover the burned area with a sterile gauze bandage or clean bed sheet.
• Do not give the person anything to eat or drink.
• Place person on his or her back, unless you suspect a neck or back injury. If it is, do not move them until paramedics or emergency medical personnel arrive.
• If the person vomits or has a serious injury to the face or mouth area, place on his or her side.
• Keep person warm with blankets or extra clothing, not a heat source.

LVHN’s Burn Recovery Center is the only one in northeastern Pennsylvania certified by the American Burn Association and the American College of Surgeons to care for adults and children.