How Do I Treat a Burn?
Before you can begin to treat a burn, quickly assess the severity of the burn. Burns are categorized as first, second and third degree, with first-degree burns listed as the least serious and third degree causing the most damage. In addition, determine how much surface is affected. A first-degree burn on a large part of the body will require more attention than a minor burn on just a finger. First-degree Burns These burns are generally red and perhaps swollen, but they have burned only the outer layer of skin. For a minor burn, cool the area under running water for several minutes. This helps reduce the pain and prevents the burn from doing further damage. If you cannot run water over the affected area, use a cold wash cloth. The cold water will reduce the pain and the swelling. Never put butter, oil or ice on a burn of any degree. Dry the area and cover it loosely with a sterile gauze bandage. You may also use either aloe vera cream, from the plant by the same name, or an antibiotic o
