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an AppointmentOverviewA second-degree burnSecond-degree burnEnlarge imageBurns are tissue

damage that results from heat, overexposure to the sun or other radiation, or chemical or electrical
contact. Burns can be minor medical problems or life-threatening emergencies.The treatment of
burns depends on the location and severity of the damage. Sunburns and small scalds can usually
be treated at home. Deep or widespread burns need immediate medical attention. Some people
need treatment at specialized burn centers and monthslong follow-up care.AdvertisementMayo
Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit
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Mayo Clinic Book of Home RemediesSymptomsLayers of the skinSkin anatomyEnlarge imageA
third-degree burnThird-degree burnEnlarge imageA radiation burnRadiation burnEnlarge
imageBurn symptoms vary depending on how deep the skin damage is. It can take a day or two
for the signs and symptoms of a severe burn to develop.1st-degree burn. This minor burn affects
only the outer layer of the skin (epidermis). It may cause redness and pain.2nd-degree burn. This
type of burn affects both the epidermis and the second layer of skin (dermis). It may cause
swelling and red, white or splotchy skin. Blisters may develop, and pain can be severe. Deep
second-degree burns can cause scarring.3rd-degree burn. This burn reaches to the fat layer beneath
the skin. Burned areas may be black, brown or white. The skin may look leathery. Third-degree
burns can destroy nerves, causing numbness.When to see a doctorSeek emergency medical
assistance for:Burns that cover the hands, feet, face, groin, buttocks, a major joint or a large area
of the bodyDeep burns, which means burns affecting all layers of the skin or even deeper
tissuesBurns that cause the skin to look leatheryBurns that appear charred or have patches of
black, brown or whiteBurns caused by chemicals or electricityDifficulty breathing or burns to the
airwayTake first-aid measures while waiting for emergency assistance.Call your doctor if you
experience:Signs of infection, such as oozing from the wound, increased pain, redness and
swellingA burn or blister that's large or doesn't heal in two weeksNew, unexplained
symptomsSignificant scarringRequest an appointment From Mayo Clinic to your inboxSign up for
free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise
on managing health. Click here for an email preview.Enter your emailEmailLearn more about
Mayo Clinic’s use of data.Subscribe!CausesBurns are caused by:FireHot liquid or steamHot
metal, glass or other objectsElectrical currentsRadiation, such as that from X-raysSunlight or other
sources of ultraviolet radiation, such as a tanning bedChemicals such as strong acids, lye, paint
thinner or gasolineAbuseComplicationsComplications of deep or widespread burns can
include:Bacterial infection, which may lead to a bloodstream infection (sepsis)Fluid loss,
including low blood volume (hypovolemia)Dangerously low body temperature
(hypothermia)Breathing problems from the intake of hot air or smokeScars or ridged areas caused
by an overgrowth of scar tissue (keloids)Bone and joint problems, such as when scar tissue causes
the shortening and tightening of skin, muscles or tendons (contractures)PreventionTo reduce the
risk of common household burns:Never leave items cooking on the stove unattended.Turn pot
handles toward the rear of the stove.Don't carry or hold a child while cooking at the stove.Keep
hot liquids out of the reach of children and pets.Keep electrical appliances away from water.Check
the temperature of food before serving it to a child. Don't heat a baby's bottle in the
microwave.Never cook while wearing loosefitting clothes that could catch fire over the stove.If a
small child is present, block his or her access to heat sources such as stoves, outdoor grills,
fireplaces and space heaters.Before placing a child in a car seat, check for hot straps or
buckles.Unplug irons and similar devices when not in use. Store them out of reach of small
children.Cover unused electrical outlets with safety caps. Keep electrical cords and wires out of
the way so that children can't chew on them.If you smoke, never smoke in bed.Be sure you have
working smoke detectors on each floor of your home. Check them and change their batteries at
least once a year.Keep a fire extinguisher on every floor of your house.When using chemicals,
always wear protective eyewear and clothing.Keep chemicals, lighters and matches out of the
reach of children. Use safety latches. And don't use lighters that look like toys.Set your water
heater's thermostat to below 120 F (48.9 C) to prevent scalding. Test bath water before placing a
child in it.Also be alert to burn risks outside the home, especially if you are in places with open
flames, chemicals or superheated materials.By Mayo Clinic StaffRequest an
appointmentDiagnosis & treatmentAug. 13, 2022AdvertisementMayo Clinic does not endorse
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Skip to contentMayo Clinic Home PageLog inSearchMenuAppointments at Mayo ClinicMayo

Clinic offers appointments in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota and at Mayo Clinic Health System
locations.Request AppointmentFirst aidBurns: First aidSECTIONSBy Mayo Clinic StaffBurns are
tissue damage from hot liquids, the sun, flames, chemicals, electricity, steam and other causes.
Kitchen-related injuries from hot drinks, soups and microwaved foods are common among
children.Major burns need emergency medical help. Minor burns can usually be treated with first
aid.AdvertisementMayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue
supports our not-for-profit mission.Advertising & SponsorshipPolicyOpportunitiesAd
ChoicesWhen to seek emergency careCall 911 or seek immediate care for major burns, which:Are
deep, involving all layers of the skinCause the skin to be dry and leatheryMay appear charred or
have patches of white, brown or blackAre larger than 3 inches (about 8 centimeters) in
diameterCover the hands, feet, face, groin, buttocks or a major joint, or encircles an arm or legAre
accompanied by smoke inhalationBegin swelling very quicklyElectrical burns, including those
caused by lightning, and major chemical burns need emergency medical care. A minor burn might
need emergency care if it affects the eyes, mouth, hands or genital areas. Babies and older adults
might need emergency care for minor burns as well.Treating major burnsUntil emergency help
arrives:Protect the burned person from further harm. If you can do so safely, make sure the person
you're helping is not in contact with the source of the burn. For electrical burns, make sure the
power source is off before you approach the burned person. Don't try to remove clothing stuck in
the burn.Make certain that the person burned is breathing. If needed, begin rescue breathing if you
know how.Remove jewelry, belts and other tight items, especially from the burned area and the
neck. Burned areas swell quickly.Cover the burn. Loosely cover the area with gauze or a clean
cloth.Raise the burned area. Lift the wound above heart level if possible.Watch for signs of shock.
Signs and symptoms include cool, clammy skin, weak pulse and shallow breathing.Treating minor
burnsFor minor burns:Cool the burn. Hold the area under cool (not cold) running water for about
10 minutes. If the burn is on the face, apply a cool, wet cloth until the pain eases. For a mouth
burn from hot food or drink, put a piece of ice in the mouth for a few minutes.Remove rings or
other tight items from the burned area. Try to do this quickly and gently, before the area
swells.Don't break blisters. Blisters help protect against infection. If a blister does break, gently
clean the area with water and apply an antibiotic ointment.Apply lotion. After the burn is cooled,
apply a lotion, such as one with aloe vera or cocoa butter. This helps prevent drying and provides
relief.Bandage the burn. Cover the burn with a clean bandage. Wrap it loosely to avoid putting
pressure on burned skin. Bandaging keeps air off the area, reduces pain and protects blistered
skin.If needed, take a nonprescription pain reliever, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others),
naproxen sodium (Aleve) or acetaminophen (Tylenol, others). From Mayo Clinic to your
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alert iconIMPORTANT UPDATES + NOTICE OF VENDOR DATA EVENTCleveland Clinic

logoSearchBurnsBurns are tissue damage brought on by heat, chemicals, electricity, radiation or
the sun. Nearly half a million Americans seek medical care for accidental burns each year. First-
degree burns, and most second-degree burns, heal with at-home treatments. Third-degree burns
can be life-threatening and require specialized medical care.Symptoms and Causes Diagnosis and
Tests Management and Treatment Prevention Outlook / Prognosis Living WithOVERVIEWWhat
is a burn?A burn occurs when heat, chemicals, sunlight, electricity or radiation damages skin
tissue. Most burns happen accidentally. There are different degrees of burns. Your healthcare
provider determines the seriousness (degree) of a burn based on the depth of the burn and the
amount of affected skin. Burns can be painful. Left untreated, a burn can lead to
infection.Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps
support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. PolicyHow
common are burns?Close to half a million people go to the emergency department every year with
burn injuries. Children are at high risk for accidental burns. Every day, more than 300 children
receive emergency treatment for burn injuries.Who might get a burn?Accidental burns can happen
to anyone, although children, teenagers and older people are most at risk. These age groups are
more prone to burn injuries from cooking, such as spilling a boiling pan of water onto skin.
Children and teens are also more likely to mess around with lighters, matches and fireworks or get
sunburns.What are the types of burns?Healthcare providers classify burns by degrees of severity.
Your provider will evaluate the extent of skin damage. Burn degrees include:First-degree burns are
mild (like most sunburns). The top layer of skin (epidermis) turns red and is painful but doesn’t
typically blister.Second-degree burns affect skin’s top and lower layers (dermis). You may
experience pain, redness, swelling and blistering.Third-degree burns affect all three skin layers:
epidermis, dermis and fat. The burn also destroys hair follicles and sweat glands. Because third-
degree burns damage nerve endings, you probably won’t feel pain in the area of the burn itself,
rather adjacent to it. Burned skin may be black, white or red with a leathery
appearance.SYMPTOMS AND CAUSESWhat causes burns?Many things can cause a burn.
Thermal sources, including fire, hot liquids, steam and contact with hot surfaces, are the most
common causes of burns. Other causes include exposure to:Chemicals, such as cement, acids or
drain cleaners.Radiation.Electricity.Sun (ultraviolet or UV light).What are the signs of burns?Burn
symptoms vary depending on the severity or degree of the burn. Symptoms are often worse during
the first few hours or days after the burn. Burn symptoms include:Blisters.Pain.Swelling.White or
charred (black) skin.Peeling skin.DIAGNOSIS AND TESTSHow are burns diagnosed?Your
healthcare provider will examine the burn to determine the degree or severity. This process
involves estimating the percentage of the body affected by the burn and its depth. Your provider
may classify the burn as:Minor: First- and second-degree burns that cover less than 10% of the
body are considered minor and rarely require hospitalization.Moderate: Second-degree burns that
cover about 10% of the body are classified as moderate. Burns on the hands, feet, face or genitals
can range from moderate to severe.Severe: Third-degree burns that cover more than 1% of the
body are considered severe.MANAGEMENT AND TREATMENTHow are burns managed or
treated?Burn treatment varies depending on the cause and severity. You need to keep all burns
clean and apply proper bandages/dressing depending on the severity of the wounds. Treating the
person’s pain is key: inadequate control can interfere with wound care.Continue to check
wounds for signs of infection and other long term issues, such as scarring and tightening of the
skin over joints and muscles, which makes them difficult to move.Treatments by burn type
include:First-degree burns: Run cool water over the burn. Don’t apply ice. For sunburns, apply
aloe vera gel. For thermal burns, apply antibiotic cream and cover lightly with gauze. You can also
take over-the-counter pain medication.Second-degree burns: Treatment for second- and first-
degree burns is similar. Your healthcare provider may prescribe a stronger antibiotic cream that
contains silver, such as silver sulfadiazine, to kill bacteria. Elevating the burned area can reduce
pain and swelling.Third-degree burns: Third-degree burns can be life-threatening and often require
skin grafts. Skin grafts replace damaged tissue with healthy skin from another of the uninjured
part of the person’s body. The area where the skin graft is taken from generally heals on its own.
If the person does not have enough skin available for a graft at the time of injury, a temporary
source of graft can come from a deceased donor or a human-made (artificial) source but these will
eventually need to be replace by the person’s own skin. Treatment also includes extra fluids
(usually given intravenously, with an IV) to keep blood pressure steady and prevent shock and
dehydration.What are the complications of burns?Third-degree burns that are deep and affect a
large portion of skin are very serious and can be life-threatening. Even first- and second-degree
burns can become infected and cause discoloration and scarring. First-degree burns don’t cause
scarring.Potential complications of third-degree burns include:Arrhythmia, or heart rhythm
disturbances, caused by an electrical burn.Dehydration.Disfiguring scars and contractures.Edema
(excess fluid and swelling in tissues).Organ failure.Pneumonia.Seriously low blood pressure
(hypotension) that may lead to shock.Severe infection that may lead to amputation or
sepsis.PREVENTIONHow can I prevent a burn?Burns have many accidental causes. You can take
these steps to reduce the risk of burns:Wear sunscreen.Set your home’s hot water heater below
120 degrees Fahrenheit.Always test the water in a shower or bath before getting in or bathing a
child.Lock up chemicals, lighters and matches.Use the stove’s back burners as much as possible
when cooking, turn handles of pots and pans where they won’t be bumped and don’t leave the
stove unattended.Don’t hold a child when you’re near hot objects, such as the stove.Set
safeguards around a fireplace and never leave a child unattended.Install and regularly test smoke
detectors in your home.Stock your home with fire extinguishers and know how to use them.Cover
electrical outlets.OUTLOOK / PROGNOSISWhat is the prognosis (outlook) for people with
burns?With proper treatment, most first- and second-degree burns heal over two to three weeks.
Depending on the burn severity, you may have some scarring, which may fade over time. People
recovering from third-degree burns need physical and occupational therapy to maintain joint
mobility and improve function. Some people develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or
depression after a burn event. Thanks to medical advancements, many people who have burns
covering even up to 90% of their bodies survive .LIVING WITHWhen should I call the doctor?
You should call your healthcare provider if you experience:Burns on the hands, feet, face or
genitalia.Burns that don’t improve after two weeks.Blistering.Severe pain.Fever, yellow or green
discharge, or other signs of infection.Signs of PTSD or depression.What questions should I ask
my doctor?You may want to ask your healthcare provider:What degree is the burn?What is the
best treatment for this burn?What steps can I take to lower the risk of infection?What steps can I
take to lower the risk of scarring?What steps can I take to lower the future risk of accidental
burns?Should I look out for signs of complications?A note from Cleveland ClinicBurns happen
accidentally. Children and older adults are at highest risk. All deep burns require treatment to
prevent infection and scarring. Third-degree burns are the most serious type and can be life-
threatening. However, first- and second-degree burns are more painful. If you or a loved one has a
blistering burn, prompt medical attention can aid healing. Talk to your healthcare provider about
ways to lower your family’s risk of accidental burns.SHARE Facebook Twitter LinkedIn
EmailPrintLast reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on
08/24/2020.ReferencesGet useful, helpful and relevant health + wellness informationSign UpVisit
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