Burn Treatment

Immediate response (first 20 minutes)

1. Remove the source: get the person away from fire, heat, or electrical source
2. Cool the burn: hold under cool running water for 20 minutes minimum. Not ice water, not ice. Just cool tap water.
3. Remove clothing and jewellery near the burn, but do NOT pull off anything stuck to the skin
4. Cover loosely with clean cling wrap or a clean, non-fluffy cloth

What NOT to do

• No ice: causes frostbite on top of the burn
• No toothpaste, butter, oil, or egg white: these are common home remedies in Pakistan that trap heat and cause infection
• No popping blisters: blisters protect the healing skin underneath
• No cotton wool or fluffy fabric: fibres stick to burns and are agonising to remove
• No tight bandaging: burns swell, and tight wrapping cuts off circulation

Burn severity

Minor (first-degree)

• Red, painful, no blisters
• Treat at home: cool water, aloe vera, loose covering
• Heals in 3–7 days

Moderate (second-degree)

• Blisters, very painful, red and swollen
• Cover with clean cling wrap, take a painkiller
• See a doctor within 24 hours

Severe (third-degree)

• White, brown, or charred skin
• May be painless (nerve damage)
• This is an emergency. Get to a hospital immediately.
• Cover loosely, do not apply anything, keep the person warm

When to go to hospital immediately

• Burn covers an area larger than the person's palm
• Burns on the face, hands, feet, genitals, or joints
• Burns that go all the way around a limb
• Chemical or electrical burns
• The person is a child under 5 or elderly
• Difficulty breathing (may indicate airway burns from smoke)

Pain management

• Ibuprofen or paracetamol for pain
• Cool water provides the best immediate pain relief
• Keep the burn elevated if possible to reduce swelling