How long cover burn

Top of the page. Topic Overview For many second-degree burns , home treatment is all that is needed for healing and to prevent other problems. Rinse the burn Rinse burned skin with cool water until the pain stops. Rinsing will usually stop the pain in 15 to 30 minutes. The cool water lowers the skin temperature and stops the burn from becoming more serious. You may: Place arms, hands, fingers, legs, feet, or toes in a basin of cool water. Apply cool compresses to burns on the face or body. Do not use ice or ice water, which can cause tissue damage.

Take off any jewellery, rings, or clothing that could be in the way or that would become too tight if the skin swells. Clean the burn Wash your hands before cleaning a burn.

Do not touch the burn with your hands or anything dirty, because open blisters can easily be infected. Do not break the blisters. Gently wash the burn area with clean water. Some of the burned skin might come off with washing. Pat the area dry with a clean cloth or gauze. Do not put sprays or butter on burns, because this traps the heat inside the burn. Bandaging the burn If the burned skin or blisters have not broken open, a bandage may not be needed.

If the burned skin or unbroken blisters are likely to become dirty or be irritated by clothing, apply a bandage. Burns—even minor ones—can be very painful. A minor burn may heal within several days, while a more serious burn may take weeks or even months to heal completely. You may notice that the burned area feels tight and hard while it is healing. It is important to continue to move the area as the burn heals to prevent loss of motion or loss of function in the area.

When your skin is damaged by a burn, you have a greater risk of infection. Keep the wound clean and change the bandages regularly to prevent infection and help the burn heal.

Burns can leave permanent scars. Taking good care of the burn as it heals may help prevent bad scars. The doctor has checked you carefully, but problems can develop later. If you notice any problems or new symptoms, get medical treatment right away. Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse call line if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.

Call your doctor or nurse call line now or seek immediate medical care if:. Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor or nurse call line if:.

Enter E in the search box to learn more about "Burns: Care Instructions". Author: Healthwise Staff. Gabica MD - Family Medicine. Care instructions adapted under license by your healthcare professional.

If you have questions about a medical condition or this instruction, always ask your healthcare professional. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. If the burn is kept clean and moist, it will usually heal over a week or two. Some peeling will occur and there is no scarring.

A second-degree burn affects a deeper layer of the skin. There is damage to the top layer or epidermis and some damage to the second layer of skin or dermis.

There are blisters, which may be broken or intact, and swelling. The skin under the blisters is wet, weepy, pink and painful. This type of burn may occur from a scald, hot grease or contact with a hot surface, such as a curling iron. In a third-degree burn, all layers of the skin are destroyed. Blisters may be present and color of the skin varies red, pale pink, white and tan. Typically, these burns have very diminished pain. These burns usually require surgery for skin grafting.

Ice is not recommended as an initial treatment for burns because it can decrease circulation and make the burn worse. Soaking the burn in cool water is fine. Do not put any food-based products on the burn as this may cause infection and make it more difficult to clean the wound.

Clean the wound daily with mild soap and water. This can usually be done in the shower or bath. Treat small burns with over-the-counter topical antibiotic ointment, like Polysporin or Neosporin, until healed. Keep the wound covered with a bandage. Burns heal better in a moist, covered environment. Seek treatment from the UC San Diego Health Regional Burn Center if the burn is third-degree; goes over a joint; goes all the way around a limb, finger or toe circumferential ; can't be easily bandaged; or if pain is out of control.

We also provide comprehensive rehabilitation services for people who have sustained serious burns. The goal of the therapy for burn injury recovery is to return you to the highest possible functional level of independence.

A physical or occupational therapist, or both, will work with you through the complete recovery phase during your hospital stay. You may need to attend outpatient therapy sessions after your discharge from the hospital.