Home Page

Date issued: April 2021

Review date: April 2023

Ref: D-352/JS/Learning Disability Team/Treating your burn or scald

PDF: Treating your burn or scald final May 2021.pdf [pdf] 593KB

Burns and scalds: 

A burn is caused by a dry heat touching your skin. For example:

• Touching part of a hot oven

• Being sunburnt

• Being caught in a fire

• Being electrocuted

A scald is caused by a moist heat touching your skin. For example:

• Steam from a kettle

• Being splashed by boiling water

• Getting into a bath or shower that is far too hot

How bad is your injury:

The skin on your body is made of 7 layers. Medical staff will look at how wide and how deep your burns and scalds are.

Injuries to the top layer of your skin should heal without blistering. Slightly thicker burns can be quite deep and will form painful blisters.

Very thick burns can affect how your nerves work. Nerves carry messages around your body. You could lose feeling in the area of your burn or scald.

Some people may need new skin put on the area of their injury; this is called a skin graft. Healthy skin is taken from another part of your body. You would need an operation and be asleep for this.

We may want to see you again to check how your burn is healing.

Treating your burn or scald:

If you burn or scald yourself you need to put the burnt skin under cold water. Keep the water running over it for 20 minutes.

If you need treatment for your burn cover the area in cling film to keep it clean until you reach the ED Minor Injury Unit. Do not use anything fluffy that could stick to it.

You may need a special cream or dressing to help cool the skin and stop any infections.

You can take paracetamol to help you with any pain or ibuprofen.

It is important not to touch, pick or pop any blisters or rough skin. See your local practice nurse if you are worried about your skin.