There are three main types of burns: first-degree, second-degree and third-degree. They differ in how deep they penetrate into the skin, but they all have their common features.
First-degree burns, also called epidermal (ep-i-DUR-mis) burns, usually heal on their own. These burns affect only the outermost layer of skin, causing redness and pain.
Clean the Wound
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Many first-degree burns can be treated at home, but some require professional medical care. This includes burns that are deep, or have opened skin, bone, or organs exposed, or if you’re having bleeding problems.
To prevent infection, use soap and water to clean the wound daily until it’s healed. You may also want to wash the burned area in a bath or shower, but make sure the water isn’t too hot or too cold.
Apply a thin layer of bacitracin antibiotic ointment or white petroleum to the burn. You can also cover it with a bandage.
If you have blisters, drain them as soon as possible to prevent infection and keep the wound moist. Blisters can become very painful if they swell or become hard, so it’s best to take care of them as soon as you notice them.
It’s also a good idea to avoid putting ice on the burn until you can see a doctor. “Ice lowers the blood flow, and that makes it worse,” Gibson says.
Some people recommend debridement – the removal of dead skin, dirt and debris – to encourage the healing process. It’s important to do this as it minimizes bacterial colonisation and helps the granulation tissue develop (Strohal et al, 2013).
Remove any loose skin or old dressings before applying a new one. This may be easier if you use gauze or a clean lint-free cloth, or you can buy special cleaning wipes.
You should also check for signs of infection, such as increased redness, swelling, or a bad odour. You may have to repeat the cleansing procedure several times a day until you’re ready to go home.
Finally, be sure to change your dressings regularly, especially if you have an open wound. Using the same dressing over and over can cause irritation or blockage of your wound, which could lead to more serious complications.
When you’re finished, discard the old dressing in a waterproof plastic bag. If you’re wearing gloves, double-check to be sure there’s no drainage from the wound before throwing it away.
Apply Antibiotic Ointment or Cream
First-degree burns (also called superficial burns) damage the epidermis, or outer layer of skin. These burns are milder than second-degree or deep partial thickness burns, which also involve the epidermis but reach deeper into your dermis (lower layer of skin).
Superficial burns usually heal in a few days to a week. Some people may need a steroid cream or antibiotic ointment to help reduce the inflammation in the area and speed up healing.
Second-degree or partial thickness burns affect a second layer of skin and cause blisters, pain, and redness. They typically heal in 1 to 3 weeks with proper care.
These burns can be caused by flames, electricity, and long exposure to the sun without protection. They can also be caused by scalding or contact with hot grease or chemicals.
In the case of a first-degree or second-degree burn with closed blisters, the correct treatment is to clean the wound gently with warm water and soap and apply an antibiotic ointment. Antibiotic ointments are made from antibiotics that can stop the growth of bacteria and prevent infection.
The best way to find the right antibiotic ointment is to talk to your doctor. He or she will be able to recommend one that works for you and won’t cause an allergic reaction.
Use the ointment twice a day until your burn is healed and you are no longer having symptoms. You should also change your dressing daily if it gets dirty or wet.
To help prevent infection, if you have a burn that is not getting better after a few days, or if you are having any pain or itching, seek medical attention. A doctor will assess the size, depth and location of your burn and determine how to treat it.
The right treatment for first-degree or second-degree burns with closed blisters includes cleaning the wound gently, applying an antibiotic ointment, and changing your dressing daily. You should also take oral pain medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen to reduce the pain and swelling.
Change Dressings Daily
Changing wound dressings is a routine part of caring for burns. However, the task can be painful for some people. This pain is often caused by the rubbing and tearing of the wound and may not be relieved even with aggressive treatment.
The pain associated with changing dressings can be severe for patients who have first-degree or second-degree burns with closed blisters. This pain can make the dressing change a traumatic experience.
To prevent this, the following steps can be taken:
1. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before each dressing change.
2. Put on clean gloves before you remove the old dressing.
3. Gently peel the old dressing away from the skin and clean the wound with some gauze pads and saline or a wound cleanser.
4. Apply a new dressing to the wound and secure it with medical tape or a gauze wrap.
5. Place the old dressing in a plastic bag.
6. Close the plastic bag and dispose of it in a trash bin or disposal container.
7. Then, use a clean, resealable plastic bag to store your wound dressing supplies in until you are ready to change the dressing.
8. When you are finished, throw away any old bandage and gauze that has been used to clean the wound or remove the old dressing.
9. Then, clean the equipment you are using for your dressing changes with soapy, drinkable tap water and rinse it carefully.
10. Then, dry the equipment with a paper towel or a clean cloth.
11. Wash your hands again.
14. Repeat the steps you just went through for each dressing change.
16. If you are not sure if the dressing you are using is correct for your wound, ask your health-care professional to help.
17. The right dressing can help your wound heal faster and avoid infection.
It is important to remember that every wound requires specialized care and attention, including regular changes of dressings. If you do not follow your health-care provider’s instructions, you may cause further damage to your wound and make it more difficult for it to heal properly.
Keep the Wound Clean
First-degree or second-degree burns with closed blisters need special care to keep them clean. The blisters are an important part of the wound barrier, which keeps bacteria out of the area. They help the skin heal faster and reduce infection.
The wound should be cleaned regularly with soap and water. Alternatively, you can use an antiseptic solution. But this can damage the tissues, so it’s best to wash in plain water.
Apply a thin layer of an antibiotic ointment or petroleum jelly to the blister to help keep it moist and prevent scarring. If a rash develops, stop using the ointment and see your doctor.
Some people believe that blisters are good for the wound because they protect it, keep it moist and prevent infection. Others say that breaking or debriding blisters can lead to an infection, so they should be left intact. It’s a personal decision.
If your blister opens up, it should be drained and covered with a hydrocolloid dressing (like Compeed). This helps the wound heal faster and reduces pain.
The best time to change a drained blister is when it begins to strike-through, which means the dressing has been saturated with fluid. You should do this daily until it’s completely healed.
During this time, it’s best to stay away from exercise and any activities that may cause the injury to reopen or drain. If you can, elevate the wound as much as possible. This will also decrease pain and swelling.
In addition, you can take nonprescription pain relievers to help with the inflammation. These include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, etc.), naproxen sodium (Aleve) and acetaminophen (Tylenol, etc.).
You may have itching when the wound begins to heal, but this is normal. Itching can be relieved by applying lotion, such as aloe vera or cocoa butter, to the area.
After the itching subsides, you can begin removing the bandage or adhesive strip and washing the area again. This can be uncomfortable and may take some time.
It’s a good idea to follow your doctor’s instructions carefully when it comes to cleaning and changing the bandage or adhesive strip. This can be painful, so make sure you have enough pain medicine on hand to handle it.
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