Knoxville, TN
A 47-year-old female asked:
how do i treat a burn?
6 doctor answers • 8 doctors weighed in
Dr. Martin Raff answered
Infectious Disease 56 years experience
What kind of burn?: Call 911or get to er if there is charring or blistering on the face, genitals, all the way around an extremity, covering most of a foot or hand, or any burn covering an area bigger than the size of the chest. A simple first degree burn can be managed with cool running water (not ice) followed by a burn lotion you can purchase at your pharmacy.
5272 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Heidi Fowler answered
Psychiatry 25 years experience
Burn tx: Dr raff already provided an excellent answer. If you have a minor burn, applying aloe vera can be beneficial. Aloe vera (aloe barbadensis) can reduce redness, pain, itching & swelling from a burn. It has anesthetic, anti-inflammatory & antibacterial / antifungal qualities.
5230 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Dr. Richard Bensinger answered
Ophthalmology 52 years experience
Depends on extent: For a small burn at home immediately put ice on the area (use a bag of frozen peas for instance) for a full 15 minutes which will reduce the pain and prevent the spread. If the burn is large or there is charring and loss of skin, use ice but go to an emergency room for further care. Don't use butter or grease.
5518 viewsAnswered >2 years agoMerged
Dr. Barry Press answered
Plastic Surgery 44 years experience
Depends...: On how large and deep the burn is. In general, a burn that heals in less than three weeks does not need surgery. Initial treatment is to wash with soap and water 1-2 times a day, apply an antibiotic ointment (bacitracin) and a bandaid. If pain increases or the burn appears to be infected, see a doctor.
5312 viewsReviewed >2 years agoMerged
Dr. Heidi Fowler answered
Psychiatry 25 years experience
Superficial burn: I agree. For a superficial burn another option is aloe vera. Aloe vera (aloe barbadensis) can reduce redness, pain, itching & swelling from a burn. It has anesthetic, anti-inflammatory & antibacterial / antifungal qualities. Aloe vera (aloe barbadensis) can speed burn healing by stimulating growth of new skin.
5230 viewsAnswered >2 years agoMerged
Dr. Charles Breaux answered
Pediatric Surgery 39 years experience
Pretty broad ? ...: & our answers are limited to 400 characters. Can you be more specific?
5202 viewsAnswered >2 years agoMerged
1 comment
Dr. Charles Breaux commented
Pediatric Surgery 39 years experience
Provided original answer
You have clarified that your wife spilled hot coffee on her leg. Most scald burns such as these are 2nd-degree (i.e., partial-thickness) burns. With good wound care & good nutrition, 2nd-degree burns heal on their own in a few days to 3 weeks. You need to keep the burn clean with bathing and keep it gooped up with a topical antimicrobial, such as Bacitracin, Polysporin, Neosporin, etc until it is healed. Ideally, you should seek medical care from a local physician if the burn is significant. If the area starts to look infected, or if it is not healing, suggesting that it may be a 3rd-degree (i.e., full-thickness) burn, then you definitely need to see a physician.
Apr 4, 2013
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:
Similar questions
A 46-year-old member asked:
How to treat third degree burn?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Ankush Bansal answered
Internal Medicine 17 years experience
Hospital: Third degree burn means all the skin is burned off down to the subcutaneous tissue and muscle. If this is the case, you need hospitalization immediately. Otherwise, you will die of dehydration and infection.
5642 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
How can you treat a minor burn?
2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in
Dr. Michael Miller answered
Wound care 36 years experience
Simple treatment: A burn is a response of the tissues to injury from heat or chemicals. It is simply inflammation which means increase blood flow to the area to promote healing. Do not use ice as this can injure already injured skin. Cool water soaks can help as can taking anti-inflammation medicines like Motrin or advil (ibuprofen). Avoid any further damage as this can cause scarring . Good skin cream applied daily will help.
5014 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 49-year-old member asked:
How do I treat a straightener burn?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. David Hardin answered
Wound care 36 years experience
Quickly: Run cool not cold water over the burn for at least 10 minutes. Do not put ice on it; actually causes further damage. Burned skin is very fragile, and you can even end up with frostbite on it. Then pat the burn dry and, if it's a minor burn, bandage it lightly with nonstick gauze and if it's very bad (large blisters, charring, covering a large area go to the E.R.
4956 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:
How to treat a freezer pack burn?
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. Michael Miller answered
Wound care 36 years experience
SImple basic care: Burns are the response of the tissues to injury from temperature extremes.It is simply inflammation which means increase blood flow to the area to promote healing. Depth determines care. Anti-inflammation medicines like Motrin or advil (ibuprofen) will help. Avoid any further damage as this can cause scarring . Good skin cream applied daily/gently help and keep the area protected from trauma. No antibiotics.
4689 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
How to treat a razor burn?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Heidi Fowler answered
Psychiatry 25 years experience
Razor burn: Insure you use fresh, sharp blades vice dull blades. If hair is > several mm long – then trim before shaving. Wash area before shaving – warm water helps to soften hair. Use a lubricant when shaving. Avoid using products that contain alcohol or are scented. Shave in direction of the hair – not against it. Be gentle when shaving – don’t push down too hard. Moisturize skin after shaving. Consider >
2784 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Dr. Heidi Fowler commented
Psychiatry 25 years experience
Provided original answer
a steroid cream decrease inflammation
May 23, 2015
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:
Last updated Dec 9, 2013
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