Home Care Advice for Burns
Home Care Advice for THERMAL BURNS
- Remove rings, bracelets, watches, shoes, etc. from affected limb, then
flush with cold running water for 15 minutes.
- May submerge in cool water until pain is relieved. Do not apply
ice directly to the burned area.
- Do not apply grease, butter or pain killing lotions.
- May apply milk of magnesia, aloe vera or yogurt to burned area for soothing
effect (if no blisters present).
- Apply your usual antibiotic ointment to prevent infection (neosporin,
polysporin, bacitracin).
- Keep area clean and cover with dry non-stick dressing.
- Watch for signs of infection (e.g. increasing pain, swelling or tenderness
after 1st 24 hours, pus, red streaks, fever/chills, numbness, bad smell).
- Take ibuprofen (if not allergic) for pain (follow package directions). May
use acetaminophen as an alternative.
- Elevate affected site (if possible)
- Make sure you have had a tetanus shot within ten years
- More on Burns
Home Care Advice for Chemical Burns
Eye
- Remove contact lens if present. Flush eye for 15-20 minutes in
a basin of water or under a running faucet. Position head under
faucet so
that water drains from inner eye to outer eye while holding lids open
with fingers. Flush until pain subsides
- After flushing, cover both eyes with a clean cloth or dressing and seek medical attention
Skin
- Remove jewelry or shoes from burned limb before limb begins to swell.
Remove clothing and flush the area with cool water for 20 minutes. Do
not rub area. Cover with clean cloth
- Watch for signs of infection
- Do not apply ointments, grease, butter or pain-killing lotions
- Take your usual pain medication (ibuprofen, acetaminophen) for discomfort
and follow instructions on the label
- Elevate affected site (if possible)
- More on Chemical Burns