Articles
Burns: First aid
Is it a minor burn or a major burn?
Content
Is it a major or minor burn?
Treating major burns
Treating minor burns
Overview
When to seek emergency help
Treatment
Major burns
Minor burns
What to avoid
When to call your doctor
Content
Is it a major or minor burn?
Treating major burns
Treating minor burns
Overview
When to seek emergency help
Treatment
Major burns
Minor burns
What to avoid
When to call your doctor
Major burns
For major burns, apply first aid until emergency help arrives:
- Protect the burned person from further harm. If you can do so safely, make sure the person you're helping is not in contact with the source of the burn. For electrical burns, make sure the power source is off before you approach the burned person.
- Make certain that burned person is breathing. If needed, begin rescue breathing if you know how.
- Remove jewelry, belts and other tight items, especially from the burned area and the neck. Burned areas swell quickly.
- Cover the burn. Loosely cover the area with gauze or a clean cloth.
- Raise the burned area. Lift the wound above heart level if possible.
- Watch for symptoms of shock. Symptoms include cool, clammy skin, weak pulse and shallow breathing.
