Proven pointers to treat burns

Painful burns can happen at any time. Many of them can be treated at home though. Here is some advice on how to determine the severity of the burn and what to do to treat it.

• First-degree burns:  You get these from a slight brush with a hot cookie sheet: They affect only the top layer of skin, which turns red, swollen, and painful. These usually resolve in two or three days, although you may lose a little skin.
• Second-degree burns: These involve both the first and second layers of skin. The skin turns red and painful, blisters form, and healing takes longer.
• Third-degree burns: These damage all layers of skin, fat, muscle, and possibly bone. Healing time depends on how deep and severe the burns are, but can take months.

Chemical and electrical burns may not show up on the skin, but that doesn't mean they aren't serious and painful, possibly damaging internal organs.

Minor burns, including first-degree burns or second-degree burns that are no more than 7.5 centimetres (three inches) in diameter, can be handled at home. But more serious second- and third-degree burns need the immediate care of a doctor. Remedies range from cold running water and bandaging for minor burns to hospitalization, skin grafts, and physical therapy for more serious burns. Here are the steps in properly treating a minor burn:

• Run cold water over minor burns. Keep the cold water coming for at least five minutes or until the pain lets up. The cold water reduces swelling. Don't apply ice because it may cause more skin damage.
• Loosely cover minor burns with a sterile gauze bandage to protect the skin from infection.
• Take an over-the-counter pain reliever. Try aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, or acetaminophen as directed on the package.

If they pop on their own, don't snip or peel off the skin; it's nature's best bandage. If the top of the blister comes off on its own, apply petroleum jelly or a topical antibiotic ointment to the skin, followed by a nonadhesive dressing to keep the area moist. This promotes healing in the first week. Avoid putting any kind of bandage on the affected skin; that skin is fragile, and pulling off the bandage can shear it off.

These steps will help you deal with minor burns effectively at home. For more serious burns make sure you seek help right away.