First-degree burns are the most common and least serious. These are minor burns that you can treat yourself. A first-degree burn will have redness, swelling, and pain. [2] X Expert Source Indy Chabra, MD, PhDBoard Certified Dermatologist Expert Interview. 10 March 2022. If the burn involves most of your face, though, treat it more seriously and get emergency medical help. Second-degree burns are more serious, and your treatment will depend on the size of the burn. A second-degree burn may have red, white, or splotchy skin, swelling, pain, and blisters. If the burn is 3 inches or smaller, you can treat it like a minor burn. If it is larger, treat like a major burn and get medical help immediately. Third-degree burns are the most serious, and involve burning off all the skin and underlying fat. The area may be charred black or white. If you have a third-degree burn, you may also experience difficulty breathing, carbon monoxide poisoning, or other toxic effects from smoke inhalation. You probably won’t get a third-degree burn from a curling iron, but it is something you should be aware of.
The water should be cool, not cold, so avoid ice or cold water. Water is the best choice for cleaning. Irritants like harsh soap, hydrogen peroxide, iodine, and alcohol will probably only delay healing, making a scar more likely. [4] X Research source
Do not use cream, lotion, oil, cortisone, butter, or egg whites on the burn.
Make sure to avoid using a dressing or bandage that sheds fibers, as they can get caught in the burn. If you need the bandage for longer than a day, be sure to change it once a day, or whenever it gets wet. [9] X Research source
This can help prevent you from feeling or itching the burn area, which can help lead to further scarring. If the person who was burned is a child, they can take ibuprofen or acetaminophen for pain relief as well. However, do not give aspirin to individuals under 20 years of age, as it can lead to severe complications. Follow the dosage instructions on the bottle. [11] X Research source Children can take naproxen as well, but the usage should be managed by a doctor. [12] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
Petroleum jelly can be another way to help keep moisture trapped on your skin. Make sure you wash your skin before applying it. The jelly will help trap moisture on the location and keep it moisturized a little longer. [16] X Research source You can use petroleum jelly after the first 24 hours, once the heat from the burn has dissipated. You can also try applying some vitamin E oil or an anti-scar cream that contains silica in it. Another good way to help keep your skin hydrated is to drink water. 8 to 10 glasses a day will help keep your skin moisturized and prevent scarring if you should burn yourself with the iron.
If you do go outside, make sure to use sunscreen on your whole face, including the burn site. Look for sunscreens with blocking agents like zinc or titanium dioxide, and an SPF of 30 or higher. [19] X Research source
Skin-friendly foods include yellow and orange fruits and vegetables like carrots and apricots, leafy green vegetables like spinach, beans, peas, lentils, nuts, and fatty fish like salmon and mackerel. More general healthy foods like low-fat or fat-free dairy and whole-grain breads and pastas are also helpful for maintaining healthy skin. Some foods can be associated with skin damage, and avoiding them can keep your skin healthy and strong. These include refined sugars, other foods high in processed or refined carbohydrates, and other intakes like caffeine and tobacco.
If you start to see large blisters, those could be a sign of a more serious burn. You should see a doctor right away. [25] X Research source
Your doctor will examine the burned area, see how large it is and how deep it goes. He will probably also check your body for other injuries, especially near the burn site. He may suggest further testing from a lab or with X-rays if he suspects further injury or infection. [28] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source When you talk to your doctor, be sure to tell him how the burn happened, what symptoms you have been experiencing, what may have changed since you burned yourself, and any treatments you have used so far. Be prepared to also to discuss any underlying health conditions you have, like diabetes, that may have affected your recovery or potential treatment. [29] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Depending on what additional concerns your doctor has, you may be advised to use a variety of medications and treatments. For infections, you may be given intravenous antibiotics, or even a tetanus shot. [30] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
