Determine Your Treatment for Minor Burns

"Burn" is a broader term than many think. Most people believe heat causes burns, but the medical definition of a burn has more to do with the depth of damage, not the cause. Burns can be thermal (from extremes of heat or cold), chemical (such as acid), or radiant (sunburn, x-rays or artificial ultraviolet rays from a tanning booth). All the mechanisms cause skin damage and you should treat them similarly.

Determine the severity of the burn. Your approach to your treatment for minor burns will vary depending upon how badly the victim has been burned.

First degree burn - This is the least severe burn and only involves the outer layer of skin (the epidermis). The skin will     often be somewhat red and painful. Sunburns are usually first degree burns.

Second degree burn - Second degree burns occur when the epidermis has been burned through and the second layer of skin (the dermis) has also been burned. These are much more painful than first degree burns and are usually accompanied swelling and blisters.

Third degree burn - The most severe type of burns, third degree burns occur when all the layers of the skin are burned through and the burn has reached the underlying tissue. Because the nerves have been destroyed, third degree burns are painless; skin will be dry and leathery, and frequently black, white or brown in color.

First degree and second degree burns that are fewer than three inches in diameter are generally considered minor burns.

           Treatment for Minor Burns What to Expect:

In the treatment of minor burns there are two goals: relief of pain, and healing without scarring or infection.

You can easily achieve these goals with OTC pain relievers, and using skin solution to rejuvenate the skin naturally.

Using skin solution in the treatment for minor burns helps prevent the delicate new skin underneath the burn from drying out, cracking, and peeling away with the burned skin layers on top of it.

Applying skin solution as part of your treatment for minor burns can help the burn heal and feel better.  (see video to the  right)

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  • Do not put ice on the burn, as this can cause further damage to the skin.
    
  • Do not put on a bandage.  Bandages will cut off air so it will take longer to heal. 
    
  • Take an analgesic (pain reliever). Any of the common over-the-counter pain relievers will work.
    
  • Use skin solution 2 – 3 times per day to soothe and nourish the skin.    
                                                     

Look out for signs of infection. Infection is uncommon with burns of this type, but is possible if blisters pop and are exposed to dirt. In your treatment for minor burns the use of skin solution promotes healthy skin development and soothes and nourishes the skin.Watch the video on the left to see how skin solution helps with the treatment for minor burns.

Please see a doctor if you have more than a minor burn or if any kind of irritation persists.