What to do when you accidentally burn yourself

The key is to act fast and perform the appropriate first aid so that you can lessen the effects of the burn. — TNS

It's easy to get a burn on your arm or hand from a hot pan while cooking.

Extremely hot water – over 110°F (43.3°C) – can cause burns, as can stoves, fires, hot food and the sun.

Most burns are minor and you can manage them at home, but it’s important to know the signs of a more serious burn.

More severe burns can cause serious complications and may require emergency treatment.

One of the most important things to do if you burn your hand is to act fast.

Burns cause different degrees of damage.

A first-degree burn is minor and only affects the outer layer of the skin.

A second-degree burn affects the second layer of skin called the dermis.

And a third-degree burn reaches into the deeper layers beneath the skin.

There are many myths about how to treat a minor burn.

Your questions may include: Should you pop the blister? Do you use hot or cold water on it? Is it good to cover a burn with a bandage?

Follow these tips for treating a minor burn:

• Place the burnt area under running water slightly colder than room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the pain eases.

  Or put a cool, clean, damp cloth on the burn.

• Be aware that the burnt area may swell.

  Remove tight items, such as rings or clothing, from the burnt area as quickly as possible.

• Do not break a blister if it’s bigger than your little fingernail.

  If the blister does break, clean it with mild soap and water.

  Apply an antibiotic ointment, and cover the area with a bandage or gauze.

• Applying moisturiser, aloe vera gel or other pain relief gels may provide temporary relief.

  Don’t slather on butter – sometimes mentioned as a home remedy – because it retains heat and could be contaminated with bacteria.

• Keep the wound covered with a loose dressing to help it stay clean and decrease pain.
• Ease the pain with an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as ibuprofen, naproxen or paracetamol.
• Make sure you’ve had a tetanus shot within the last 10 years because you can get tetanus through an open wound in the skin.

See your healthcare team if the symptoms worsen or a larger blister develops.

Large blisters are best removed by a healthcare professional as they will rarely remain intact on their own.

Also, seek care if the burn:

• Covers a large area of the body.
• Has other associated injuries.
• Has infection-like signs, such as oozing from the wound, increased pain, redness and swelling.
• Involves the area around the eyes, nose or mouth.
• Is severe or deep.

Call 999 (or 112 for mobile phones) for emergency medical help for major burns. – By Dr Paul Horvath/Mayo Clinic News Network/Tribune News Service

Dr Paul Horvath practices emergency medicine in Wisconsin, United States.