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When to Get Help for Burns

In most cases, minor burns in adults and children can be treated with first aid. But it’s important to know when to see a doctor. The Mississippi Burn Center follows guidelines of the American Burn Association (ameriburn.org) for symptoms that require professional care.

According to the American Burn Association, contact your doctor if the burn:

• Is on your face, ears, eye, hands, feet or genital area.
• Is red, blistered, swollen and very painful. It may be a second-degree burn.
• Is whitish, charred or translucent, and the skin is peeling off, with minimal sensation in the area. It may be a third-degree burn.
• Covers more skin than the size of the palm of your hand or goes all the way around your arm or leg.
• Is red or swollen, smells bad, or is oozing liquid. It may be infected.
• Shows no signs of healing. In two to three days after a burn, if it becomes more painful, has more redness and swelling or has skin darkening in the burn, a health care provider needs to see it.

If your or your child’s burn meets ANY of the above conditions, you should see your doctor.

Also see your doctor if you have persistent fever or pain not helped by ibuprofen or acetaminophen, or redness that extends past the border of the burn.

Burn severity

Your doctor may refer you for care at the Mississippi Burn Center depending on the location and severity of the burn, how much of your skin is affected and any other injuries or chronic health conditions you may have. The American Burn Association classifies severity in four categories:

• Superficial: Also called first-degree burns, these damage only the outer layer of skin (epidermis). They are dry, red and sometimes painful. These easily blanch (turn lighter) when pressed. A good example of superficial burns is sunburn.
• Superficial partial thickness: Categorized as a second-degree burn, these burns are moist, red, blanching, contain blisters and are very painful. They damage two layers of skin: the epidermis and part of the dermis.
• Deep partial thickness: Also categorized as a second-degree burn, these damage the epidermis and the deeper part of the dermis called the reticular dermis. Burns like this are drier, paler, less painful and blanch less.
• Full thickness: These are sometimes called third-degree burns. Damage affects the epidermis and dermis and extends into the subcutaneous layer of skin. They are dry with a leathery texture. There is a loss of pin prick sensation and discoloration that can be white, brown or black.