Does This Burn Require Medical Treatment?

It’s often difficult to tell the severity of a burn – Here are some guidelines:

Whether you’ve suffered a bad sunburn, been scalded by hot liquid, or burned your arm on the BBQ grill, each and every burn should be carefully monitored.

Determining if you need to seek medical attention for a burn is difficult because they do tend to hurt badly, and for a long time. To help us with this, doctors classify burns based on degrees – the higher the degree of the burn, the more likely medical attention is necessary.

Two exceptions to this rule exist:

1) If any type of burn happens to someone very young or very old, a medical professional should be consulted.

2) If any type of burn covers a large area, especially a sensitive one, such as the face, groin, or buttocks, this should be evaluated by a medical professional.

Burns by Degree

The degree of the burn is determined by how much of the skin is damaged.

• First-degree burns only damage the outer layer of skin. The first-degree burn will be painful and red, but won’t have blisters. Most sunburns are first-degree burns. Many first-degree burns can be treated at home.
• Second-degree burns are often identified by the blisters that form on the skin. With second-degree burns, both the top layer of skin, and the layer underneath (the dermis) are damaged. Skin will often be swollen, and appear red, shiny, and wet. Quick Care Med providers can evaluate your burn and recommend treatment.
• Third-degree burns have damaged two full layers of skin, and likely destroyed nerve endings. Instead of red, this type of burn will often be brown, white, or yellow. Due to the destroyed nerves, the burn will not hurt as much as the first two, but will require treatment at an emergency room
• Fourth-degree burns are the most serious and are life-threatening. This type of burn not only destroys skin, but also muscles, tendons, and bones.

Treatment for Burns

• For treatment of minor, or first-degree burns, run the burn under cool water for five to 15 minutes, or apply a cool compress to the burn
• Antibiotic ointment may be applied to the burn
• DO NOT USE ice, butter, or other oils on the burn
• Cream containing aloe may help soothe the burning feeling
• Cover the burn with a non-stick gauze
• DO NOT pop blisters. If blisters pop on their own, clean the area, apply antibiotic ointment and keep covered
• Take over-the-counter acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain
Always keep an eye out for infections. If a burn is oozing, getting redder, or appears to be getting worse, visit Quick Care Med right away for assistance.

A Note About Sunburn

Many think of sunburn as just a part of living in Florida, but sunburns can be severe just like any other type of burn.
If a sunburn blisters, or is accompanied by fever and chills, it should be evaluated and treated by a Quick Care Med provider.

To avoid sunburn:

• Apply sunscreen of at least 30 SPF AT LEAST 20 MINUTES before going outside. Sunscreen takes that long to soak into your skin and offer protection. If you apply sunscreen once you’re outside, you can burn in the 20 minutes it takes for it to begin working. Reapply after swimming or every 2 hours
• Wear protective clothing whenever you have to be in the sun. Hats with wide brims, gauzy, breathable fabrics, and sunglasses will help protect you from the harmful rays
• Avoid being in direct sunlight when the sun is directly overhead – between the hours of 10am and 3pm
• Remember that sunburn can occur even on cloudy days, so if you’re outside, it’s best to be protected