The most common things you may notice at first are skin redness, pain, and swelling. A deep second-degree burn can take longer to heal. Keep hot cooking pots on the back burners with the handles turned toward the center of the stovetop to prevent accidents. Avoid applying any type of oil, including butter, to a burn. Mild sunburn is an example. First-degree burns are one of the mildest forms of skin injuries, and they usually don’t require medical treatment. Scalds are a common cause of first-degree burns in children younger than 4 years old. A first-degree burn is also called a superficial burn or wound. The tissue may appear charred and underlying tissue such as fat and muscle may be visible. These burns may heal slower than burns on other areas of the body and require a visit to the doctor. Sunburn is an example of a first-degree burn. Follow these tips to prevent first-degree burns: What are the differences between first-degree, second-degree, and third-degree burns? The symptoms of first-degree burns are often minor and tend to heal after several days. Burns wounds are dynamic, they change over time as the wound goes through the stages of healing. Always consult your doctor if the burn shows signs of infection or becomes worse. Second-degree burns cause blisters and have more pronounced swelling. In contrast, second-degree burns blister and are more painful due to an increased depth of the burn wound. Third-degree burns are the most serious type and penetrate through the epidermis and dermis to the deepest layers of the skin. First-degree and mild second-degree burns can usually be treated at home, but more extensive second-degree burns and third-degree burns require immediate medical attention. If your child sticks a finger or any object into the openings of a socket, bites on an electrical cord, or plays with an appliance, they can get burned or electrocuted from exposure to electricity. Often a blister forms, which covers the injured area. Second- and third-degree burns can cause scars. Scalds can also occur if you bathe or shower in extremely hot water. You should call your child’s pediatrician if you’re concerned about a burn your child received. 2nd degree burns extend into the next layer of skin, the dermis. Get the iPhone MyHealth app » It’s an injury that affects the first layer of your skin. Most people can recover from burns without serious health…, So, you forgot to put on sunscreen and fell asleep in your lawn chair. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. However, products containing aloe vera with lidocaine may help with pain relief and are available over the counter. First-degree burns can heal on their own without medical treatment. A second-degree burn occurs when the first layer and some of the second layer of skin are burned. Learn more. Second-degree burns (also called partial thickness burns) go through the second layer of skin, called the dermis (DUR-mis). First-degree burns usually heal in five to 10 days.2, 10 ... A tetanus shot should be given to all patients with more than a first-degree burn.12, 17, 18. You can message your clinic, view lab results, schedule an appointment, and pay your bill. They are dry, red and can be very painful. If you go to a doctor for burn treatment, he or she will assess the severity of your burn by examining your skin. You may want to report large wounds to your doctor. This tends to take … Burns which heal within 14 days have a low risk of scar formation, although scar formation is multifactorial. • Burn scars undergo maturation, at first … First-degree burns cause red skin and local pain only. Burns affecting 10 percent of a child's body and those affecting 15 to 20 percent of an adult's body are considered to be major injuries and require hospitalization and extensive rehabilitation. All rights reserved. Unless the burn is very small you should get medical attention to evaluate the severity of the burn and to receive appropriate care so the burn wound will heal … This lesson will discuss the primary treatment options and stages of healing for second-degree burns. Treatment options depend on the severity of your burn. You can treat most first-degree burns at home. First-degree burns involve only the epidermis, which is the most superficial layer of skin. Their doctor will examine the burn to determine its severity. Second-degree burns take 5–8 days to heal if the damage is deep. The burn is infected. Begin by rinsing the burn with cold water until the pain resolves. Immediately immerse the burn in cool tap water or apply cold, wet compresses. Most first-degree burns can be prevented if you take the right precautions. Apply petroleum jelly two to three times daily. The sun produces intense ultraviolet (UV) rays that can penetrate the outer layer of your skin and cause it to redden, blister, and peel. Burns are classified based upon their depth.. A first-degree burn is superficial and causes local inflammation of the skin. Temperatures higher than this can lead to more serious skin injuries, especially in young children. First-degree burns affect only the epidermis, or outer layer of skin. You have a third -degree burn. A safe water temperature should be at or below 120˚F. Most water heaters have a maximum setting of 140˚F. Second degree burns often take 1-3 weeks to heal. The injury may ooze or bleed. He or she may recommend that you be transferred to a burn center if your burn covers more than 10 percent of your total body surface area, is very deep, is on the face, feet or groin, or meets other criteria established by the American Burn Association.Your doctor will check for other injuries and might order lab tests, X-rays or other diagnostic procedures. However, if a first-degree burn covers a large area of the body, or the victim is an infant or elderly, seek emergency medical attention. Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI, Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT, How to Treat a Burn on the Roof of Your Mouth, if it’s large or in an area that requires immediate treatment, such as the eyes, nose, or mouth, if it shows signs of infection, such as oozing, pus, or swelling. When touched, skin that is burned superficially will blanch. Healing time may depend on the area affected. • Plan to provide long term care to the patient. First-degree burns are usually healed completely within 3–5 days. It is pink, red, dry and painful, but generally mild. Also, be sure to watch young children in the kitchen. These burns cause pain, redness, and blisters and are often painful. Infected burns may seep liquid from the wound, and have pain, redness and swelling that gets worse over time. Burn treatment depends on the type of burn. healing phase. Rehabilitation is designed to meet each patient's specific needs; therefore, each program is different. Also called superficial burns, first degree burns can often be prevented by taking precautions. Find out…, A third-degree burn is often considered the most severe, but there actually is such a thing as a fourth-degree burn.