Key Points at a Glance:
- There are four different degrees of burns
- First-degree burns can be treated at home
- Burns must be cooled immediately
Unfortunately, it usually happens faster than you think: you burn your skin while ironing, or boiling water splashes onto your skin as you pour it out, or you touch the curling iron in the wrong spot—and just like that, it’s happened. The skin turns red immediately and hurts incredibly badly. And not just for a few seconds, but for minutes, if not hours. But in order to treat the burn properly, you first need to know what kind of burn it is. This involves determining the degree of the burn and its extent. The depth of the burn—that is, the degree of the burn—is divided into four levels:
- First-degree burns (redness and swelling)
- Second-degree burns (blisters, severe pain)
- Third-degree burn (the epidermis and dermis are completely destroyed; requires medical treatment)
- Fourth-degree burn (tissue damage extending to the subcutaneous tissue; surgical intervention required)
Minor burns—that is, first-degree burns—can be treated at home, provided they are treated promptly. However, it is always important to remember that any objects and/or clothing must be removed from the affected area. If the fabric is stuck to the burned area, however, do not remove it under any circumstances. The following tips may help you with treatment:
- First, cool the affected area immediately (using water or an ice pack)
- Disinfect the wound using an alcohol-free wound spray
- Aloe vera gel also has a soothing and cooling effect and can help relieve pain.
- Bandages can help relieve pain caused by touch
- The cooling Fenistil gel can also help relieve burning and itching
If the burns are second-, third-, or fourth-degree, you must contact a doctor (or emergency medical services) immediately. In the case of severe injuries, it is important to note as part of first aid that any fabric stuck to the skin must not be removed under any circumstances. The burn can be covered with a sterile wound dressing and secured with a loose bandage.
Be careful with zinc ointments and greasy creams
Of course, there are plenty of home remedy tips here as well. Since these are injuries that can leave (large) scars on the skin, you really need to be careful when using home remedies. Zinc ointments and greasy creams should be avoided, as they clog the pores.
