First Aid: Treating Burns

at 11:55AM, 1:55PM, and 3:55PM

Whether scorched by the sun or zapped by a hot stove, we've all experienced painful burns. Suzanne's guest, Bradley Fenton, M.D., Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at Thomas Jefferson Medical College, explains the different types of burns and how we can treat them.

How Bad Is Your Burn?

A first-degree burn is mostly superficial, characterized by redness and no blisters. Sunburn is a prime example. A second-degree burn can be identified by redness, blistering and some swelling. Finally, a third-degree burn, the most serious, leaves skin with a white, leathery appearance and a loss of sensation.

First and second-degree burns can be treated at home, but third-degree burns will scar and should be seen by a physician. The steps for treating a burn at home are:

1. Cool the burn area with ice or cool water, but don't hold ice on skin for more than 10-15 minutes at a time.
2. Remove blisters with a sterile needle or fine scissors. Then, wash and clean with a gentle soap.
3. Apply an over-the-counter antibiotic cream to the burn. Such cremes include: Polysporin, Bacitracin or Silvadene.
4. Cover burns with gauze or tube dressing that will allow air to reach the affected surface.

A Few Words About Frostbite

Hot's not the only thing that can destroy skin. On the other side of the spectrum, there's frostbite: the overexposure of skin and soft tissue to cold. It too develops in three distinct stages, similar to burn degrees: frostnip, superficial frostbite and deep frostbite.

To prevent frostbite, stay warm, dry, well fed and well rested. In treating frostbite, don't thaw out any frostbitten areas until you've reached warm and stable shelter. If frostbitten tissue is thawed out and then re-exposed to freezing temperatures, even more serious injury can result.