What to put on a burn? First aid tips
Burning yourself is never fun! This is happening at home all the time. In fact, they are one of the most common household injuries.
It is one of the most painful and irritating feelings you can have. Usually, people can get it from staying in the sun for too long, or they do it to themselves cooking.
No matter how the burn happens, there is a relief for it. Treating them can be easy if it’s a minor burn. However, if you are burned severely, medical assistance will be required.
They are categorized by how bad it is. There are first-degree burns, which are the least severe. These only affect the top layer of your skin.
Second-degree ones affect the deeper layers of skin. These cause blisters—third-degree burns, which involve damage to all layers of skin. The fourth-degree burn can involve your joints and bones.
First and second-degree burns can be treated from your home. We have some tips for you if you get one at home. These will help ease your first and second-degree ones.
Is Vaseline good for burns?
Vaseline should not be used. Any type of grease should never be applied to a fresh one if the skin is missing. If you have a first-degree burn, a minor one, Vaseline can be used in that situation.
Once you have cooled it, you can add Vaseline to the burn and about three times per day if it is a first-degree burn.
If there is skin missing, do not use Vaseline on them.
If it is causing pain and swelling, you should take an NSAID or a pain reliever to help prevent swelling, and the pain will decrease. You never know when you may need this health information.
If you do not know what to put on it, we have compiled a list. This will keep you knowledgeable about what to do if you or someone in your home gets burned.
Proper First Aid
Knowing proper first aid for burns is important. If you have a minor one, here is what you should do for treatment of that. This information would be from a medically reviewed site if you did not know where the info came from.
- Cool if off. After holding it under cool running water, apply a cool, not cold, compress.
- Take off rings or anything close to the affected area. Before the swelling begins, you want to make sure it’s clear of anything that could irritate it.
- Avoid breaking blisters. If the blisters have fluid, this prevents infections in the area.
- You can then dab the area gently with antibiotic ointment.
- Apply a moisturizing lotion. Aloe vera is a good one. This provides relief and counters pain for a brief time.
- Put a loose bandage on it by using sterile gauze.
- Take over a counter pain reliever if needed.
Treating a Major Burn
Treating a major burn is not this easy and should be taken very seriously.
If you have a deep one, a result in leathery skin, larger than 3 inches in diameter or cover the face, hands, feet, or major joint, and have a charred look or patches of black, brown, or white on your skin, this is probably a major burn.
First aid treatment for a major burn is different than a minor one. First, call 911 or seek out emergency medical care. Before your help arrives, you should follow these steps to help treat it.
- If you or another person has a burn, make sure that you are all safe and away from the source of the burn.
- Check breathing levels.
- Remove restrictive clothing or items from the body.
- Cover affected area. Use a clean cloth or bandage wet with cool water.
- Separate fingers and toes
- Elevate the area.
- Watch for any shock symptoms.
What should you never put on a burn?
For as long as we can remember when you burn yourself, someone you know has always said to put ice or water on them. However, do you know if ice is the best thing to put on it?
We have five things that you should never put on it.
- Do not use ice or ice water. This can cause tissue damage. You should use cool water instead.
- Do not treat an open one with water.
- Don’t use butter, ointments, or sprays.
- Do not try to remove anything that is covering the burn, for example, clothing.
- Do not give anyone a pill to swallow if they are hurt badly. Keep the airways open.
If you or someone you know has been burned, you do not want to freak out. However, seeking medical treatment is good.
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Summary
Knowing what to do when you or someone in your home is hurt is important. Being aware of any possible items in your home that could cause one is helpful as well.
They are common, and they are painful to a point. However, they can be minor or major. There are four degrees of burns. First and second-degree burns can be treated at home.
Once you know what to put on a burn, you have some helpful information to help you or someone you love.
They can happen, and they happen quickly, especially when we do not pay attention, we get into a hurry, or we are just plain careless.
As long as you are aware of your area and try to prevent burns, you will be okay. A simple one from hot food or water is fine to treat at home. If you have a major one, you should treat medical attention.
Following these tips will help you know what to put on a burn, and they will heal up quickly and easily.
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