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How to treat a burn on the skin?
Last reviewed: 01.07.2025
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It is quite easy to get a burn - an overturned cup of hot tea, a hot burner on the stove, sizzling oil in a frying pan easily lead to a violation of the integrity of the skin. Burns on the skin can be treated only after they have been thoroughly examined.
Before taking any action, it is worth assessing the degree of the burn, there are four. The first is the weakest, it is characterized by redness, swelling and pain in the affected area of the skin. The second degree occurs when a blister forms at the site of the burn with liquid inside. The third - the burned tissue dies, which can be seen by the presence of a gray or black scab. The deepest is the fourth degree, it affects the deep layers, including muscles and bones.
If you have detected signs of a third or fourth degree burn, do not take any measures! This can be dangerous to your health and lead to a worsening of your condition. Call an ambulance and wait for a specialist to deal with your burn. Qualified assistance in such cases is the only chance to save the burnt area and prevent a life-threatening infection from penetrating it.
A first or second degree burn can be cured on its own if the damaged surface is treated correctly. If a blister forms, do not puncture it under any circumstances - you can introduce an infection and worsen the condition. Do not use vegetable oil - it retains heat and does not allow the skin to get rid of its excess, worsening the condition of the burn.
If you get a burn from any hot liquid and don't notice any signs of third or fourth degree, immediately put the burnt area under cold water. It is not necessary to direct the stream of water from the tap (this can cause pain), you can simply dip your hand in a container with liquid and hold it there for ten minutes.
The treatment aims to reduce the negative effects of the burn and relieve the feeling of burning and pain. Any product containing panthenol will cope with this task. It can speed up tissue regeneration, reduce the intensity of burning and heal the burn quite quickly. It would be a good idea to keep a spray containing panthenol at home - with its help you can treat the damaged surface yourself without causing even more pain.
There are many folk remedies designed to combat the effects of burns. Grate raw potatoes, wrap them in gauze and apply to the burnt area for half an hour. Or brew tea, squeeze out the tea leaves and apply to the burn.
If the burn is of the second degree, you will have to apply a bandage - it will prevent infection from penetrating the tissue, even if the blister bursts. The gauze bandage should be sterile. If the blister is large and does not burst for a long time, consult a doctor.
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