How bad is it?
- First-degree (superficial). Red, painful, no blisters — like a mild sunburn.
- Second-degree (partial-thickness). Blisters, wet, very painful.
- Third-degree (full-thickness). Through all skin layers, dry and leathery, white/brown/black or charred, and may feel numb because nerves are damaged.
Call 911 for a burn that's deep, larger than about 3 inches, charred or leathery, wraps a limb, or is on the face, hands, feet, genitals, or a major joint. Electrical, lightning, and chemical burns always get emergency help.
What to do
Minor burn
- 1Cool it — run cool, not cold water over the burn for about 10 minutes.
- 2Remove rings or anything tight near the burn before it swells.
- 3Cover loosely with a clean bandage to protect it and ease pain.
- 4An over-the-counter pain reliever can be used if needed.
- 5As it heals, once cooled, an aloe vera lotion can soothe and prevent dryness.
Major burn — call 911, and while you wait
- 1Keep everyone safe — move the person from the burn source if it's safe. For an electrical burn, make sure the power is off before you touch them.
- 2Check breathing — start CPR if they aren't breathing and you know how.
- 3Remove tight jewelry, belts, or clothing near the burn before swelling — but don't pull off anything stuck to the skin.
- 4Cover the burn loosely with a clean, dry cloth or sterile gauze.
- 5Raise the burned area above heart level if you can.
- 6Watch for shock — lay them down and cover with a clean sheet or light blanket.
When to use it
- Camp and cooking burns. A hot pot handle, spilled boiling water, a stove or lantern, a grease flare-up.
- Sunburn — a superficial burn on exposed skin; see sun protection for prevention.
- Spotting a "small" burn that's actually serious because of where it is (hands, face) even when it isn't large.
Common mistakes & safety
- Never put ice, butter, toothpaste, or oil on a burn. Ice damages tissue; the others trap heat and invite infection.
- Don't pop burn blisters. The blister protects against infection. If one breaks on its own, clean it gently with water and cover it.
- Don't pull clothing off if it's stuck to the burn — you'll tear the skin.
- A full-thickness burn can be nearly painless because nerves are destroyed — don't mistake "it doesn't hurt much" for "it isn't serious."
- Electrical burns can be worse inside than they look and can stop the heart. Always get emergency help, and never touch the person until the power is off.
- Chemical burns: get emergency help; the general rule is remove contaminated clothing and flush with lots of water — but follow dedicated guidance for the specific chemical.
- Watch for shock and airway trouble with large burns or any smoke inhalation.
Going deeper
- Why cool water and not ice. Cooling removes heat still cooking the skin, but ice constricts blood flow and freezes tissue, deepening the injury. "Cool, not cold" is the whole rule in three words.
- Depth can keep developing. A burn that looks first-degree can declare itself as second-degree over hours as blisters form — one reason to keep watching a burn and take hand/face burns seriously early.
- The old campfire remedies are harmful. Butter, toothpaste, spit — all actively make it worse. Running water is free and better.
Official source
Burns: first aid — Mayo Clinic →This is general first-aid information, not a substitute for hands-on training. Take a certified first-aid course, and follow dedicated guidance for chemical or electrical burns.